Help identifying old cartridge on Technics SL 1200 MK2

[L5hunter]

Hello all,

I recently was invited to clear out the storage of a guy who used to run the local TV and radio station. They literally wanted nothing to do with it as it was around 110 degrees in the building normally, and plus they thought it was a ton of junk. It mostly was, but there were several little goodies that I ended up walking out with. Some of these included a Technics SL-1200MK2, as well as a Akai GX-4000D. I actually was going to buy the exact same model of Akai about a month ago but missed out on it. Anyway, the previous owner of said turntable cut the ends of the RCAs off completely so he was able to wire it into a Radio Design Labs preamp (not quite sure why the phono preamp doesn't take RCA inputs???). I simply spliced some RCAs into the bare wire, and viola, the turntable fired up after sitting for around 10 or so years. Now that I've spun a few of my favorite records, I'm starting to think it sounds better than my 1210M5G with an Ortofon Red, and I'd love to validate my own claims by knowing what stylus is on this tank. Any thoughts?

 

[Satch]

The logo is from Stanton, other than that I can't help you.

 

[SA-708]

Looks like a Stanton 500 with an AL stylus, per the aqua spot on the front. We used that same turntable and cartridge combination on the air back when I was a college radio DJ is n the mid-80s.

 

[L5hunter]

Looks like a Stanton 500 with an AL stylus, per the aqua spot on the front. We used that same turntable and cartridge combination on the air back when I was a college radio DJ is n the mid-80s.

Yes, that's exactly it. Any thoughts on the stylus/cartridge? I can't find a ton about it.

 

[beatcomber]

The older gold-colored 500's seem to be slightly more desirable than the later versions.

The Stanton 500 was sold under other names as well, usually with the stylus being the only differences: Pickering V-15, Pickering NP/AC, etc. etc.

Yes, that's exactly it. Any thoughts on the stylus/cartridge? I can't find a ton about it.

http://audiokarma.org/forums/index....stanton+500&o=date&c[title_only]=1&c[node]=28
http://audiokarma.org/forums/index.php?search/8039558/&q=pickering+v15&o=date&c[title_only]=1

 

[saunadog]

Looks like a D5107AL stylus (heavier tracking DJ type). Did Stanton have a gold colored body for the L720?

 

[freQ(*)Oddio]

just picked up the same cart and table from a radio station, stanton 500 silver body sounds fantastic, was really surprised

 

[freQ(*)Oddio]

 

[L5hunter]

...that's crazy. Was this in Texas??? There was another storage unit...
I was also very impressed at how well this thing sounded. I would definitely but this combo in the future.

 

[freQ(*)Oddio]

...that's crazy. Was this in Texas??? There was another storage unit...
I was also very impressed at how well this thing sounded. I would definitely but this combo in the future.

no thats funny its in upstate ny and was a am radiostation, i ended up with all the stuff, mixers, albums, cds, this cart sounds amazing

 

[SA-708]

The Technics SL-1200Mk2 & Stanton 500AL were a common combination back when I DJ'd back in the 80s. We used them on the air and in the production studio at our student-run college radio station, and I DJ'd several dances and fraternity parties with the same turntable & cartridge. No turntablism but plenty of back-cuing. It was the best combination of ruggedness and great sound, and I am not surprised that so many 1s and 2s are still found with a 500 cartridge.

 

[freQ(*)Oddio]

The Technics SL-1200Mk2 & Stanton 500AL were a common combination back when I DJ'd back in the 80s. We used them on the air and in the production studio at our student-run college radio station, and I DJ'd several dances and fraternity parties with the same turntable & cartridge. No turntablism but plenty of back-cuing. It was the best combination of ruggedness and great sound, and I am not surprised that so many 1s and 2s are still found with a 500 cartridge.

as soon as I hit play on this table and cart, it was the great broadcasting sound we are all used to, just fantastic and so real and balanced. I have to have it now, don't even want to listen to anything else.