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Recommend a Cartridge for a Technics SL1200MK2

DavidTT said:
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.
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You can do it while playing; I wouldn’t. But it can be done without having to take the tonearm off (like on some Rega tonearms) or without adding shins to the cartridge.
 
I have the 1300 Mk2. I began with an Ortofon OM20, which I enjoyed for over a decade. Then a friend gave me a brand new Denon DL-110. After collecting dust for a few years, I gave it a whirl and really enjoyed it for several years. Then, I came across a low hours demo deal on the Dynavector DV10x5 that I just couldn’t pass up ($175). The DV10x5 is so incredibly good, I often wonder how much better it really can get.

Have fun.
 
hi,i just got this sl 1210 back from the tech yesterday after he fitted some KAB modifications to it and gave it a thorough service,it's also set up with a brand new dl 301 mk2 cart.The mods were new rca's with pcb already connected, the tonearm rewire kit and tonearm fluid damping kit,i also got a way exellent II platter/isolation mat from herbie's audio lab.it's still early days and i didn't have much to compare it to (marantz 6200 with an AT cart with no model number on it that i can see) but it's amazing,so much more detail.
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I've used cheap carts and expensive carts on my 1200mk2. Audio Technicas makes excellent carts at every price point, ortofon and shure's DJ carts sound superb too. Audio Technicas also makes excellent moving coil carts as does Denon that are within your budget.

If you don't already have a record cleaning machine, I'd invest in that first, especially if you're considering buying more exotic stylus types.

It's also difficult to overstate how excellent the SL-1200Mk2 sounds with something with an inexpensive conical stylus.
 
When I had an SL-1210MkII with its OE arm, Audio Technica carts with micro-line styli were the best. Tracking is damned near perfect, and if you can get input capacitance down to about 150pf, the carts sound lush and not bright.
I have a VM540ML and a Shure M95/JICO HE combo in my cartridge box and the Shure/JICO is by far the brighter of the two when loaded to spec.
 
I am using a Stanton 881 in a very light headshell with fluid damper. Sounds fantastic. An Epoch with standard Technics headshell also sounds great. On my system both were much better than all Ortofons I tried for classic rock and blues.
 
When I got my SL-1210MK5 seven years ago I fitted a Shure M97xe on it. Then I got serious and sent it to KAB and had some mods installed. Fluid damper, new RCA's, tonearm rewire, strobe eliminator switch. Basically everything except a outbound power supply. Money well spent. I also invested in a Nitty Gritty Record Cleaning Machine.
I am currently using a AT440mla with great success. Most all the cartridges mentioned here are very good. The real noticeable differences come with the upgrades,clean vinyl and a decent phono preamp.
 
Sl 1200 works very well with tracking pressures between 2 and 5 grams. Notice I didn't say superbly, excellently or other positive descriptions. The arm was designed to be used by knuckle headed gorillas, DJ's, on later updated versions during very adverse conditions with a modicum of failures. They were fairly dependable and the chassis isolated the table from unwanted loud acoustic interference. Lot of folks believe belt driven tables are a better simpler solution for home use. They will definitely last longer and only require a few drops of oil and a belt once in a while. When A SL1200 develops a head ache there are no simple cures. Would I consider a new SL-1200 G? Sure, But, with a different tone arm. My favorite DD table is still the SL 10 MK III with a Graham tone arm. I do want to audition the new SL 1000R. But if I had to spend that kind of money I would prefer a pre owned SME. I'm still basically an old fashioned traditionalist,who prefers linear tone arms. If they can allow Ortofons to track records they couldn't on SM E arms and my 20X2 to track the 90 band on my Ortofon test record at 2. 3 grams then I consider linear arms the best solution. Having a cartridge with a Fine line or Micro-ridge stylus helps reduce wear spreading the force over a larger vertical surface, while following the profile of the LP very accurately.Something an elliptical or spherical profile can't do. I know the new Technics can strain a budget and an SME will break a budget. But their are deals to be had. Just keep saving your money until the opportunity comes along.
 
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twiiii said:
Sl 1200 works very well with tracking pressures between 2 and 5 grams. Notice I didn't say superbly, excellently or other positive descriptions. The arm was designed to be used by knuckle headed gorillas, DJ's, on later updated versions during very adverse conditions with a modicum of failures. They were fairly dependable and the chassis isolated the table from unwanted loud acoustic interference. Lot of folks believe belt driven tables are a better simpler solution for home use. They will definitely last longer and only require a few drops of oil and a belt once in a while.
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Ah, the old "Nothing but a DJ deck" myth. Wrong on so many counts. I noticed nothing in your reply addressed the OP's question.
 
twiiii said:
Sl 1200 works very well with tracking pressures between 2 and 5 grams. Notice I didn't say superbly, excellently or other positive descriptions. The arm was designed to be used by knuckle headed gorillas, DJ's.
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Then why is virtually the same arm found on the ordinary consumer decks meant for at home use? Myth busted.
 
Shure M97xE, is still a great value for money.

Other options could be anything that tracks between 2-5grams, as others have said.
Not that it can't sound great with pickups @ 1.25grams VTF.
It is just that i personally prefer the sound of medium to low compliant cartridges.
Especially high output ones.

Also, I have a soft spot for Stanton/Pickering cartridges.
I enjoy greatly a Pickering V15/AC3, on my stock Technics.
However, I think they can cover pretty much any taste, with the right kind of needle.
 
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Again, thanks everyone for their recommendations and input. I decided to go with the AT VM540ML and have it installed. After making all the table/arm adjustments I have put approximately 5 hours of listening on it and it appears to be everything I wanted...slight brightness, nice sound stage and depth. I will most likely be trying one or more of the other recommended cartridges but have four other tables that I'm working on upgrading cartridges including Denon DP-62L and DP-47F units and Marc Morin modified AR-XA and AR-ES1 beauties.

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I worked with a DJ for almost 25 years as he was one of my assistants in installing large discos and other large systems. He would train DJ's for smaller systems and would look over the shoulders and recommend changes to more experienced DJ's. He referred to DJ's as Gorillas. We made a fortune selling replacement styli to DJ's. Louie would moon light when he wasn't doing his own gigs, to help Club owners understand what was required from a talented DJ. If the DJ was using his own vinyl they were much more careful than those who used the clubs vinyl. If I have seen one Technics tone arm trashed I have seen 100. Usually the DJ's straightened up after having to pay for the first TT rebuild. Some would walk out rather than pay, but it eventually caught up with them. The best DJ I ever met was in the early 70's in Acapulco. He was brought in from New York as a consultant for 2 weeks to interview and train the Hotels DJ's and charged a fortune plus room board and booze. He also gave dance lessons, but that was on the side. We had a party every night after the Disco closed at 2 am.
 
Another update...have moved the 1200MK2 to the man cave and now have it hooked up to a MAC 4200 receiver utilizing B&W LCR6 S2 speakers . Really enjoying the new AT VM540ML cartridge. I highly recommend it when considering a replacement for your 1200.

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