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Decisions: This One, That One

Thrill Kille

Thrill Kille

Active Member
A local shop has a SL-1200M3D w/AT-XP5 which I asked to get. I have until Friday to commit. They also have a Music Hall Classic NIB for the same price. A friend has a slightly, lightly used Orto 2M Blue he'd like to see go to a good home for a good price. I've owned SL-1200MK2 and MK5. Never a MH. I have heard a MH a few times. But, always undeer they ifluenced :) That MH deck was a few tics above a Classic. But can't remember which model specifically. My final decision is between these two. I have been waiting and looking and lurking on various sites long enough. On Friday I will have one or the other.

The price is not a issue (these two decks). Nor is Vintage vs New. It will be connected to a McIntosh C34V Pre and MC 2205 Amp. And out to Martin Logan Motion 40's. Anyways, thoughts, advice personal experience will be greatly appreciated.
 
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1200 drop the nail and bolt on the Blue but get a 300-500 buck nail to use since they do get better as you get used to the 1200. You'll notice the improvement. I look at the MH as extending the line down to capture more buyers, not a great unit at the price point.

The AT-XP5 is not a home audio cartridge. The Blue is the lowest you should go with your associated gear.
 
Thrill Kille said:
Price is no issue between the two as they cost the same price. Buying both just to see...is kinda silly.
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I don’t know either table, but if it were me I’d take the Technics, longer history and the DD motor on the 1200 series is known to be a great motor. The arm is probably a better arm as well.

Good luck with it!!
 
Thrill Kille said:
Price is no issue between the two as they cost the same price. Buying both just to see...is kinda silly.
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disagree, not silly. you'll be happier having tried both (not left wondering what-if), and if the prices are both ok, you won't lose any money for having done so once you sell the "loser."

agree with the other poster that the 2M Blue is the cheapest cart (at current retail) you should put on either machine (unless you somehow score a good deal on a new or lightly used AT440mlb, or something like that). that is, unless you dig the AK hype around the AT3600, which honestly has me curious. :idea:
 
I have has a Project rpm 6.1sb and set it up to a bog standaed sl1210mk2 and I sold the Project weeks later...
The sl1200 standard is very good, modded it is amazing, the Music hall is what it is.
Chris
 
ctjetta said:
Sir, with this kind of attitude I must respectfully question your commitment to this hobby. Hmmph.
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So now I'm thinking of a larger budget, dang!
Looking at the Ya Horng site make me suspicious of the MH "Classic". Others I hear from say I should get the VPI Cliffwood. Or a Denon DP-62L. Trying to buy used is pretty tricky with a lot of quality models available. The search continues.
 
ctjetta said:
How DARE you all question the hype! Shame on you!
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You been hitting the sauce a little @ctjetta lol ;)

I’ve had the 3600 it’s a nice cart, if you want to know another good one that is low buck check out the LP Gear and Audio Technica carts they collaborated on.

The CF95SE is a AT95E with the carbon fiber cantilever, some say it’s plastic, it’s not it’s carbon and for $65 it’s rather impressive. I have the AT95E as well and like the CF95SE better. I have a whole box full of low end carts and a few nice rare ones as well.

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:)
 
Thrill Kille said:
So now I'm thinking of a larger budget, dang!
Looking at the Ya Horng site make me suspicious of the MH "Classic". Others I hear from say I should get the VPI Cliffwood. Or a Denon DP-62L. Trying to buy used is pretty tricky with a lot of quality models available. The search continues.
Click to expand...

Don't buy the Cliff due to "brand name Halo effect" or whatever. It's nothing like the higher end VPI stuff whatsoever.

Old Denons are very nice turntables but be aware of unobtainable parts if something goes wrong, particularly if it's a complex model with a servo arm or whatever. I've had a chance to buy a few nice ones and passed every time for that reason.

With a 1200, you will never have to worry too much about parts availability or repair-ability. They are also very reliable, as I'm sure you know. But maybe you are itching to try something different since you already own a MK5? Lots of options.

No consensus in this hobby, only a variety of opinions, some based on facts, others are not.
 
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