P-Mount Cart Recommendations for Techncs SLJ2

[ClayTune]

Hi all,

Trying to stay positive and listen to as much awesome music as possible during thee rough times.

When I was in quarantine I acquired a Technics SLJ2 Linear Tracking Turntable from a guy a few miles out, it was fully serviced, new belt, newly lubed etc, Even has a new needle on what appears to be its stock P=Mount technics cart.

I am looking for a bit of an upgrade.

First let me say I love the way this thing performs and tracks. However, I do believe it may be time to start considering a P-mount cart upgrade.

Long story short, I listen to a lot of Metal, Jazz, Funk, New Wave and both Vocal and Instrumental stuff.

My first question is, will only certain P-mounts be suitable, is there a reference range or is any and all P-mounts suitable for the arm on this table?

Second question is, what's a good P-mount in the $75-100 range that has full body and sound scape on vocal, bass and a decent pull of all sounds in between these frequency ranges?

Thanks.

 

[ChristopherP]

Grado P mounts are fine and work well on our old Panasonic TT. My daughters. Not expensive. Check their web site.

 

[ClayTune]

Grado P mounts are fine and work well on our old Panasonic TT. My daughters. Not expensive. Check their web site.

Yes I have heard mixed reviews on Grado P-mounts. What I am getting is that I probably want an AT but which model. I know there are some great ones like the AT92E but I want something somewhat fancier.

 

[beat_truck]

Unfortunately, there aren't many good P mount cartridges currently in production.

If it has the original Technics cartridge that looks like this:

Those are actually very good sounding cartridges. It's out of your price range, but Jico even makes an SAS for them. I bet that would be killer. I just have a basic conical on mine, and am actually very impressed with the sound.

You may be able to find a nice NOS P mount cartridge on ebay at a reasonable price.

 

[beat_truck]

Yes I have heard mixed reviews on Grado P-mounts. What I am getting is that I probably want an AT but which model. I know there are some great ones like the AT92E but I want something somewhat fancier.

The AT92E was discontinued. The AT85EP replaced it, but I think it is actually a slight downgrade. You could get a cheap used body and put a more advanced stylus on it. Or there might be one available for what you have. Letting us know what you currently have will help.

 

[ClayTune]

Oh

Unfortunately, there aren't many good P mount cartridges currently in production.

If it has the original Technics cartridge that looks like this:

Those are actually very good sounding cartridges. It's out of your price range, but Jico even makes an SAS for them. I bet that would be killer. I just have a basic conical on mine, and am actually very impressed with the sound.

You may be able to find a nice NOS P mount cartridge on ebay at a reasonable price.

Oh really? The cart on it has a transparent Yellow tone. Not this.

So maybe it isn't the OG cart. I see a lot of new Old-stock on Ebay, One of the ones I saw for about $50 is AT3482P What is the thought on this one?

 

[beat_truck]

Oh

Oh really? The cart on it has a transparent Yellow tone. Not this.

So maybe it isn't the OG cart. I see a lot of new Old-stock on Ebay, One of the ones I saw for about $50 is AT3482P What is the thought on this one?

The styli came in different colors. I don't know if it directly relates to what kind of tip is on it. With aftermarket styli, probably not.

$50 is way too much for an AT3482P. The Voice of Music has them for $26. It is just a basic conical. I have one, and to me it is a definite downgrade from the Technics.

 

[ClayTune]

The styli came in different colors. I don't know if it directly relates to what kind of tip is on it. With aftermarket styli, probably not.

$50 is way too much for an AT3482P. The Voice of Music has them for $26. It is just a basic conical. I have one, and to me it is a definite downgrade from the Technics.

Interesting since it seems to have tons of positive reviews on Amazon, like 300+ reviews actually.

What if I got that cart and upgraded it to an available diamond stylus?

 

[beat_truck]

Interesting since it seems to have tons of positive reviews on Amazon, like 300+ reviews actually.

What if I got that cart and upgraded it to an available diamond stylus?

It already has a diamond stylus. It is just a basic conical. But, yes you could get it and upgrade it to a more advanced stylus.

LP Gear has their Vivid Line for ~$115, which should be a nice choice. They also have basic ellipticals for less money.

Other members should have more, possibly better suggestions.

 

[Wolfie62]

This a very good p-mount. Very upgradable stylus if you want to later. I have 14 p-mount carts, and this is a very good sounding one, as is. Nice and full, nice top end, too.

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https://www.ebay.com/ulk/itm/173678599785

 

[ClayTune]

This a very good p-mount. Very upgradable stylus if you want to later. I have 14 p-mount carts, and this is a very good sounding one, as is. Nice and full, nice top end, too.

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https://www.ebay.com/ulk/itm/173678599785

Would you say it is better than the one I mentioned earlier? AT3482P? If so, sold!

Also is it weighted correctly for this table? I believe it has a maximal tracking force recommendation of like 1.25 but have no idea how to adjust that. Or if it's automatic.

 

[beat_truck]

Would you say it is better than the one I mentioned earlier? AT3482P? If so, sold!

Also is it weighted correctly for this table? I believe it has a maximal tracking force recommendation of like 1.25 but have no idea how to adjust that. Or if it's automatic.

Not by much, but it is technically better. It is a .4x.7 elliptical. Nothing to get excited about. Weight wise, it'll be fine. All P mounts are supposed to weigh 6 grams and track at 1.25 grams. Grados like heavier than that, though.

 

[Wolfie62]

It works fine on any of my 4 LT tables. Using a universal adapter, and putting it on my pivot arm table, it tracks extremely well at 1.3 grams.

I have the AT 331LP, 3003, and a Z100X. 3482 style carts. I like the cart I recommended better than any of those. It has a more full bodied sound. I find the 3482 style to be thin sounding.

 

[ClayTune]

It works fine on any of my 4 LT tables. Using a universal adapter, and putting it on my pivot arm table, it tracks extremely well at 1.3 grams.

I have the AT 331LP, 3003, and a Z100X. 3482 style carts. I like the cart I recommended better than any of those. It has a more full bodied sound. I find the 3482 style to be thin sounding.

Which Linear tracking tables do you own?

 

[ClayTune]

It works fine on any of my 4 LT tables. Using a universal adapter, and putting it on my pivot arm table, it tracks extremely well at 1.3 grams.

I have the AT 331LP, 3003, and a Z100X. 3482 style carts. I like the cart I recommended better than any of those. It has a more full bodied sound. I find the 3482 style to be thin sounding.

Another thing, I don't know that my technics table has tracking force adjustment. I thought most LT TTs did not require it?

 

[beat_truck]

Another thing, I don't know that my technics table has tracking force adjustment. I thought most LT TTs did not require it?

It probably doesn't. Unless you buy an oddball like a Grado, you shouldn't really need to worry about it. That was the whole idea behind the T4P system. It was supposed to be standardized and plug and play without making adjustments.

 

[ClayTune]

Another thing, I don't know that my technics table has tracking force adjustment.

It probably doesn't. Unless you buy an oddball like a Grado, you shouldn't really need to worry about it. That was the whole idea behind the T4P system. It was supposed to be standardized and plug and play without making adjustments.

Another reason I want to stick to AT carts for these Linear Trackers. There seems to be good cross compatibility between AT and Technics.

 

[Wolfie62]

Technics SL L25, Hitachi MD46, ADC LT60, Sherwood ST 903. Not TOTL, but each has its merits. All have been reworked and converted for 1/2 and p-mount. And VTF adjustments.

Problem is, new styli (NOS or aftermarket) seem to rarely exactly match T4P specs. So now I can make fine adjustments and know my stylus is exactly where it should be, and I can optimize VTF for best tracking.

 

[gadget73]

The AT92E was discontinued. The AT85EP replaced it, but I think it is actually a slight downgrade.

Kinda felt this way as well when I bought one. I'd had good luck with the AT92E and went to buy one for a friend's turntable. Ended up with the 85, and I'm not particularly impressed. In the past I remember being surprised at how good the 92E sounded for how cheap it was.

 

[TerryMarmite]

Kinda felt this way as well when I bought one. I'd had good luck with the AT92E and went to buy one for a friend's turntable. Ended up with the 85, and I'm not particularly impressed. In the past I remember being surprised at how good the 92E sounded for how cheap it was.

I'm spinning a record right now on an old Technics with one of those 85s. Sounds OK, but now I'm wondering about am upgrade down the line. Hopefully these discontinued cartridges you guys are recommending will remain on ebay for a few months yet.