Yeeterkeeter
Kermit the Frog
I recently purchased a used Technics 1200 off of eBay, which doesn't include a cart. I still have some money (~100 bucks) to go decently high-end. Does anyone have good cartridge recommendations or ones to avoid? Thanks!
SL-1200 Cart Recommendations
- Thread starter Yeeterkeeter
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Yeeterkeeter
Kermit the Frog
Alright, good to know. What are some really good carts you know of?
malden
Lunatic Member
This would be my first choice for a budget cartridge, especially for the SL-1200. The nice thing is, there are several styli that you can purchase later to upgrade the cartridge body when funds become available
www.jico-stylus.com
...Stylus Upgrade Path...
"nude" medium compliance...
www.jico-stylus.com
www.jico-stylus.com
"nude" high compliance...
www.jico-stylus.com
www.jico-stylus.com
higher-end styli...
www.jico-stylus.com
www.jico-stylus.com
J44D IMP SD
J44D IMP SD is available!! Main features Produces a well balanced and solid sound. Generates a broad, smooth sound with a musical audio response and 3D audio image, similar to the specification of the genuine Shure M44G cartridge. Specs [Technical specifications] phono height : 16mm / frequency...
www.jico-stylus.com
...Stylus Upgrade Path...
"nude" medium compliance...
N-44-7 NUDE
Manufacturer : SHURE NUDE Tip is used for this product: The entire tip of a NUDE Stylus is composed of diamond, as opposed to bonded tips. The tip angle and round shape are identical to those of a standard bonded tip, while the diameter size is similar in comparison to the SAS series. #N447 #N...
www.jico-stylus.com
N-44-7 IMP NUDE
Manufacturer : SHURE NUDE Tip is used for this product: The entire tip of a NUDE Stylus is composed of diamond, as opposed to bonded tips. The tip angle and round shape are identical to those of a standard bonded tip, while the diameter size is similar in comparison to the SAS series. #N447...
www.jico-stylus.com
"nude" high compliance...
N-44G NUDE
Manufacturer : SHURE NUDE Tip is used for this product: The entire tip of a NUDE Stylus is composed of diamond, as opposed to bonded tips. The tip angle and round shape are identical to those of a standard bonded tip, while the diameter size is similar in comparison to the SAS series. #N44G...
www.jico-stylus.com
N-44G IMP NUDE
Manufacturer : SHURE NUDE Tip is used for this product: The entire tip of a NUDE Stylus is composed of diamond, as opposed to bonded tips. The tip angle and round shape are identical to those of a standard bonded tip, while the diameter size is similar in comparison to the SAS series. #N44G...
www.jico-stylus.com
higher-end styli...
N44 USHIKOROSHI NUDE
Wood Cantilever Series Manufacturer : SHURE For M44G/M44-7 100% custom designed by one of the reticent craftsmen, Kotaro Morita. 2nd series of black wooden cantilever, USHIKOROSHI, also known as Christmas berry wood. **Please be very cautious upon handling this product as it is extremely fragile...
www.jico-stylus.com
N44 KUROGAKI NUDE
Wood Cantilever Series Manufacturer : SHURE For M44G/M44-7 100% custom designed by one of the reticent craftsmen, Kotaro Morita. Made of special wood, black persimmon aka "Kurogaki". **Please be very cautious upon handling this product as it is extremely fragile compared to other materials such...
www.jico-stylus.com
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Yeeterkeeter
Kermit the Frog
Also, I forgot to mention, it doesn't come with a cart headshell, is that something I can simply get cheap or should I consider that as well?
malden
Lunatic Member
OMNIA J44A 7 IMP SD BLACK
Original HeadShell - Black Color Cartridge - J44A 7 Specs [Technical specifications] phono height : 16mm / frequency range 20 Hz – 20 kHz / weight : 5.6g / output voltage 8 mV (1kHz, 5cm/sec.) / Recommended Load : 47 KΩ Stylus - N-44-7 IMP SD Stylus specs Cantilever : aluminum, tubular /...
www.jico-stylus.com
Yeeterkeeter
Kermit the Frog
alright thx for the links. I will look into this.
OMNIA J44D DJ IMP SD BLACK
Original HeadShell - Black Color Cartridge - J44D Specs [Technical specifications] phono height : 16mm / frequency range 20 Hz – 20 kHz / weight : 5.6g / output voltage 8 mV (1kHz, 5cm/sec.) / Recommended Load : 47 KΩ Stylus - N-44G DJ IMP SD Stylus specs Cantilever : aluminum, tubular /...
malden
Lunatic Member
vinylkid58
Super Member
+1. You get the cartridge+ headshell on amazon for $149.
Also, down the road you can upgrade to the ml stylus with the stock 95en body.
up:jeff
knotscott
Super Member
It's always a matter of preference and synergy, but I really like the neutrality, clarity, and soundstage of some of the better Nagaoka MP carts....sweet spot seems to be the MP200.
malden
Lunatic Member
the cartridge/head-shell combination I linked previously is a "DJ" version which tracks between 3.5 & 4.5 grams. That's too high for home audio use.alright thx for the links. I will look into this.
This is what I meant to recommend. It tracks between 1.5 and 3.0 grams which is better suited to the SL-1200.
OMNIA J44A 7 IMP SD BLACK
Original HeadShell - Black Color Cartridge - J44A 7 Specs [Technical specifications] phono height : 16mm / frequency range 20 Hz – 20 kHz / weight : 5.6g / output voltage 8 mV (1kHz, 5cm/sec.) / Recommended Load : 47 KΩ Stylus - N-44-7 IMP SD Stylus specs Cantilever : aluminum, tubular /...
www.jico-stylus.com
malden
Lunatic Member
If your SL-1200 is in excellent condition and has not seen hard use by a DJ, you could use a more sensitive stylus in your tonearm.
This one tracks between .75 and 1.5 grams
www.jico-stylus.com
This one tracks between .75 and 1.5 grams
OMNIA J44D IMP SD BLACK
Original HeadShell - Black Color Cartridge - J44D Specs [Technical specifications] phono height : 16mm / frequency range 20 Hz – 20 kHz / weight : 5.6g / output voltage 8 mV (1kHz, 5cm/sec.) / Recommended Load : 47 KΩ Stylus - N-44G IMP SD Stylus specs Cantilever : aluminum, tubular / Synthetic...
www.jico-stylus.com
I've limited cartridge experience with my SL1200 MK2. Had just since last summer.
Prefix with:
I have some 8k and above hearing loss. And a little tinnitus. I'm not a cartridge experts. Just my experience.
As mentioned above there's personal preference, of what type of sound presentation you want. Like different speakers, carts have thier own sound. But, being a subscriber, I'm sure you know that.
I have not tried my Nagaoka MP200 on the SL1200. A very nice cart. Elliptical with boron cantilever. IMO, a little less bass than Grado. Better detail than Grado. Still a laid back presentation. I set tracking force around 1.7g. Prices I've seen for these vary greatly. Usually over $300.
I have a Grado Blue 3 on it now. I like Grados with jazz vocals and small group jazz that I listen to. I set tracking at around 1.7g. I see lately in USA, Grado has cut back in number models in Thier Prestige line. Choices are Gold3, Red3 and Green3, in descending cost.
And there's Grado Opus3 high output wood body at $300. No removable stylus. Would have to be re-tipped. I have no experience with this model. It has a following on AK.
And a fluid damper for your tonearm might be a mod to consider down road.
You might peruse this SL1200 thread for info on your table, ond owners experiences:
Prefix with:
I have some 8k and above hearing loss. And a little tinnitus. I'm not a cartridge experts. Just my experience.
As mentioned above there's personal preference, of what type of sound presentation you want. Like different speakers, carts have thier own sound. But, being a subscriber, I'm sure you know that.
I have not tried my Nagaoka MP200 on the SL1200. A very nice cart. Elliptical with boron cantilever. IMO, a little less bass than Grado. Better detail than Grado. Still a laid back presentation. I set tracking force around 1.7g. Prices I've seen for these vary greatly. Usually over $300.
I have a Grado Blue 3 on it now. I like Grados with jazz vocals and small group jazz that I listen to. I set tracking at around 1.7g. I see lately in USA, Grado has cut back in number models in Thier Prestige line. Choices are Gold3, Red3 and Green3, in descending cost.
And there's Grado Opus3 high output wood body at $300. No removable stylus. Would have to be re-tipped. I have no experience with this model. It has a following on AK.
And a fluid damper for your tonearm might be a mod to consider down road.
You might peruse this SL1200 thread for info on your table, ond owners experiences:
The Official *Technics SL-1200* Owners Club
Thanks, JP and Radiokom for your response, on where to apply silicone fluid to Cue. I first thought same as JP. To add fluid to the pin at left. Then I read on Vinylengine. Advise to remove two screws of linkage. Clean and add 300k inside large brass bushing. 300k or 500k worked for some, there...
audiokarma.org
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The MP-200 is a nice cart. Another is the AT VM540 and VM740. would also suggest the KAB arm resonance cap. One of the best 10 bucks you can spend in audio and pretty simple to install.
For a budget cart for that table I can say this is hard to beat. Very musical on my MK II.
www.lpgear.com
LP Gear CARBON FIDELITY CF95SE cartridge
Check out the deal on LP Gear CARBON FIDELITY CF95SE cartridge at LP Gear
Yeeterkeeter
Kermit the Frog
I'm not sure about that yet. The seller said it sat for a couple of years as a backup turntable for DJs, so I don't know if it's been used heavily. I know it will surely have a lot of age on it, so that cart might not be for me.If your SL-1200 is in excellent condition and has not seen hard use by a DJ, you could use a more sensitive stylus in your tonearm.
This one tracks between .75 and 1.5 grams
OMNIA J44D IMP SD BLACK
Original HeadShell - Black Color Cartridge - J44D Specs [Technical specifications] phono height : 16mm / frequency range 20 Hz – 20 kHz / weight : 5.6g / output voltage 8 mV (1kHz, 5cm/sec.) / Recommended Load : 47 KΩ Stylus - N-44G IMP SD Stylus specs Cantilever : aluminum, tubular / Synthetic...
Yeeterkeeter
Kermit the Frog
So it's a cart integrated with a headshell?
malden
Lunatic Member
then this would be a better match...
OMNIA J44A 7 IMP SD BLACK
Original HeadShell - Black Color Cartridge - J44A 7 Specs [Technical specifications] phono height : 16mm / frequency range 20 Hz – 20 kHz / weight : 5.6g / output voltage 8 mV (1kHz, 5cm/sec.) / Recommended Load : 47 KΩ Stylus - N-44-7 IMP SD Stylus specs Cantilever : aluminum, tubular /...
www.jico-stylus.com