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Marantz vs Technics. Which model is better?

P

Planetary

New Member
Hey! So I am collecting quality vinyl and want a quality turntable to go with my quality system. I have a Marantz TT1060 with a Pickering UV-15 needle and a Technics SL-D303 with a broken needle. Marantz is belt driven and the Technics is direct. I bought the Marantz recently and then recently found my dad's technics that I thought he gave away. SO, do I get a real good needle for $100 or so and return the Marantz or stick with the Marantz? I am a newbie to turntables. I am pretty happy with the Marantz, but I am having trouble comparing the two especially the Pickering needle. I paid $200 for the Marantz.

Thanks
 
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The Technics is the better turntable. If it's in good working condition, I'd go with that, even if I had to buy a cartridge to get it going.
 
Take this suggestion for what it's worth (maybe not much). :D

If you can return the Marantz, return it, use part of the refund to buy a Shure M97xE from Amazon.com ($55), enjoy the Technics, and use the rest of the refund to buy vinyl. The Shure cartridge has a reputation for sounding way better than its price. No personal experience with the cartridge, but I ordered one last week based on its current low price and reputation. Seems to be all the rage these days. :D

http://audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=329128&highlight=m97xe

http://audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=332074&highlight=m97xe
 
I agree about returning the Marantz. If you can't, I doubt you'll recoup your money, even with the Pickering which is a high end cartridge. I'd either keep both tables, or pull off the Pickering and put it on the Technics, and sell the Marantz and get whatever you can for it.

The Pickering UV15 is a top notch cartridge with a high end stylus. However you can't always trust the condition of a used stylus, no matter what the seller claims. If it turns out to be at the end of its life, JICO makes a dandy replacement for it for $100 and you'll have something several steps better than the Shure (although the Shure is a very good cartridge for the money).
 
Okay thanks guys! The seller is a pretty good guy and has awesome components at his store. I can't put the Pickering on the Technics. Should I put a better cartridge on the Technics? I am not sure how good the stock one is. The JICO needle looks cool! I want to stick with a magnetic cartridge because my Pioneer sx-1050 is magnetic. How is Grado? A Jico needle wil only work on a Shure cartridge?
 
I agree on the Nagaoka. it's a very detailed cart with a warm sound that highlights areas you never thought would be there. I love it. (and the price is right)
 
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