Cartridge Recommendations: Technics SL-1610MKII

[Joe Hughes]

I have completed refurbishing a Technics 1610MKII turntable and was looking for recommendations for a cartridge. My current system is a NAD 326 Amp, Darlington Labs Phono Stage and Focal Arias 905 Speakers. I was considering the AT-VM95ML cartridge but was looking for other recommendations from forum members. My budget under $500.

 

[lini]

I have completed refurbishing a Technics 1610MKII turntable and was looking for recommendations for a cartridge. (...)

Did it come to you with a cartridge? If so, which one? Reason for the question being, that depending on the possibly existing cartridge model, there might be an interesting original or 3rd party upgrade needle.

Greetings from Munich!

Manfred / lini

 

[Joe Hughes]

There is a AT440Mla in original container and a AT120Eb, that was mounted on the turntable when purchased.

 

[malden]

JICO

JICO

www.jico-stylus.com

 

[malden]

Not just for DJ's.......

it's not for everyone or for every occasion, but it's nice to have a a cartridge with a good bottom end for those recordings that need it.

 

[lini]

There is a AT440Mla in original container and a AT120Eb, that was mounted on the turntable when purchased.

Then why not use one of these two? The bodies are practically the same, anyway - and in case the needles of both should already be worn, you could use either body with a new VMN40ML.

Greetings from Munich!

Manfred / lini

 

[knotscott]

It's always subjective, but I've been really happy with my franken-Nagoaka MP150/JN-P500 nude fine line stylus w/boron cantilever. That combo is probably just above budget, but an MP200 might be just the ticket under budget, then you can add a JN-P500 to it down the line as an upgrade. I made jump from a VM95SH...it's a nice step up in refinement, dynamics, and clarity across the board.

 

[Blue Shadow]

If your Darlington can handle LOMC check out the less expensive AT low output moving coil cartridges for a sweeter sound. They have some under 500. I use LOMC on my SL-1600II

 

[Joe Hughes]

If your Darlington can handle LOMC check out the less expensive AT low output moving coil cartridges for a sweeter sound. They have some under 500. I use LOMC on my SL-1600II

Yes it can handle LOMC and MM.

 

[Joe Hughes]

Will the AT OC9 XSL MC be compatible with Technics Tonearm?

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[justjed2]

Will the AT OC9 XSL MC be compatible with Technics Tonearm?

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The Special Line Contact is the same diamond and cut as the Fine Line, as used in the Ortofon Bronze tier carts. I ran both the 2M and Quintet Bronze on a pre-MK2 SL-1800. You should have no problem.

 

[narud]

Will the AT OC9 XSL MC be compatible with Technics Tonearm?

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yes but id recommend saving some money and getting the xml if your considering something from the oc9 series. ive got three technics tables currently set up. a 1600mk2 with a shure v15vmr, a 1700mk2 with an at 33ptg/2 and a 1300mk2 with an at 540ml. the shure and the 540ml both have resonant frequencies at about 10hz while the at moving coil is lower at 7hz and the cantilever is visibly bouncier on less than perfectly flat lps.

 

[joel27]

I'm still going to be a proponent of the Denon DL103.

 

[Mr Boochie]

Will the AT OC9 XSL MC be compatible with Technics Tonearm?

You may need to add an auxiliary weight to the tonearm.

I'm running an AT 33Sa MC cartridge on my 1200.