Recommend a Cartridge for a Technics SL1200MK2

bravo30

bravo30

Bravo30
I recently acquired a beautiful Technics SL1200MK2 sans cartridge and looking for recommendations. I am seriously looking at the Ortofon 2M Blue MM as my choice to but I would appreciate any and all recommendations based on experience. I listen to Classic Rock and Jazz and would prefer a balanced soundstage while leaning towards the brighter side. Thanks in advance for your recommendations.

Technics SL1200MK2a.jpeg
 
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Nice looking nearly mint SL! I tried many carts on my SL-1210 Mk-II for very long and IMO, the Denon DL-110 (HOMC) was the best match. It's in budget with lots of change left. Forget the 2M.
 
I don't think I'd want to own an SL1200 without at least trying a Shure cart on it, maybe a V15 or m97xe with JICO stylus.
 
If you can find a Shure SC35C for the recent price of $60, I would buy one of those and mount it with the 3 gram weight. Use this for worn records. The Audio Technica AT91 for half the price also fares well with worn LPs.

Buy an Audio Technica VM540ML for pristine condition records and mount it on another head shell. Or buy a lower model VM cart if you want to save money while still having the option to buy a finer stylus.

2 carts for a wide variety of playing and the total cost is just over $300. I’m a big proponent of having multiple carts to accommodate albums of varying conditions. Might as well take advantage of the SL-1200’s removable head shell and on the fly VTA adjustment.
 
I am with SSaxdude, If you want slightly bright go for the VM540ML. If you want warmer go with a Shure V15 type IIII and a Jico VN45HE.
 
You mentioned on-the-fly VTA adjustment on these machines. I just bought a PLX-1000 with the same style VTA adjustment ring at the tonearm base. Do users adjust VTA on these decks whilst playing records? I have hesitated to do that so far, just interested in user experiences.

SSaxdude said:
If you can find a Shure SC35C for the recent price of $60, I would buy one of those and mount it with the 3 gram weight. Use this for worn records. The Audio Technica AT91 for half the price also fares well with worn LPs.

Buy an Audio Technica VM540ML for pristine condition records and mount it on another head shell. Or buy a lower model VM cart if you want to save money while still having the option to buy a finer stylus.

2 carts for a wide variety of playing and the total cost is just over $300. I’m a big proponent of having multiple carts to accommodate albums of varying conditions. Might as well take advantage of the SL-1200’s removable head shell and on the fly VTA adjustment.
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@DavidTT I don't do OTF VTA adjustments on my SL-1600 II but I do on the Magnepan Unitrac tonearms. Much easier to control and not bump something that causes the stylus to move.

Back to cartridge selection for the 1200.
The ATs of old are a bit bright, tameable with loading adjustments. I'd buy the best cartridge your budget will allow.
 
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bravo30 said:
I recently acquired a beautiful Technics SL1200MK2 sans cartridge and looking for recommendations. I am seriously looking at the Ortofon 2M Blue MM as my choice to but I would appreciate any and all recommendations based on experience. I listen to Classic Rock and Jazz and would prefer a balanced soundstage while leaning towards the brighter side. Thanks in advance for your recommendations.
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Have a look at the recently discontinued Audio Technica AT 440 MLb cartridge or the newer VM540 ML.

The AT 440 MLb is still available on Ebay as a BIN for about $205.00 USD.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Audio-Tech...rentrq:d785a32d1640ab1cebb48a5effff0e9b|iid:1

https://www.audio-technica.com/cms/cartridges/639dc678493df33c/index.html


The VM 540ML is listed on some site as $249.00 USD.
https://www.amazon.com/Audio-Technica-VM540ML-MicroLine-Turntable-Cartridge/dp/B01MEI1RPC

https://www.audio-technica.com/cms/cartridges/e7a3d4bc8b248b64/index.html :)
 
I saw some allegedly NIB Stanton 881S's with the Stereohedron stylus on Ebay last night for under $500. I personally think a good Stanton is the perfect match for a 1200 series Technics. I have a collection mounted in Technics headshells for my 1200 M3D.
 
Thanks all for the recommendations. I'm going to mull it over, check out some reviews and make a choice. Will let you know once I decide.
 
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