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SL-1200 Cart Recommendations

I suspect that Ortofon Concorde II was suggested merely because you don't have a headshell.

If you really are an "audiophile", you'll look into something that does not limit your possibilities.

Original Technics head-shells are easy to come by, there are many on the used market and are better quality than things like the one you just bought which is going to be heavier and harder to set-up than the original.

An original head-shell will allow you to experiment with cartridges as you gain more experience.

If you like Ortofon, look into the OM series. The OM 5S is the entry level and will be a better option for an audiophile

ortofon.com

OM 5S

The OM 5S features Spherical stylus, robust and economic solution for play back of vinyl records. If your tonearm has a standard headshell or a cartridge mount, then step up to optimal sound reproduction with OMs. A glance at any one of these cartridges will reveal Ortofon's answer to perfect...
ortofon.com ortofon.com
 
malden said:
I suspect that Ortofon Concorde II was suggested merely because you don't have a headshell.

If you really are an "audiophile", you'll look into something that does not limit your possibilities.

Original Technics head-shells are easy to come by, there are many on the used market and are better quality than things like the one you just bought which is going to be heavier and harder to set-up than the original.

An original head-shell will allow you to experiment with cartridges as you gain more experience.

If you like Ortofon, look into the OM series. The OM 5S is the entry level and will be a better option for an audiophile

ortofon.com

OM 5S

The OM 5S features Spherical stylus, robust and economic solution for play back of vinyl records. If your tonearm has a standard headshell or a cartridge mount, then step up to optimal sound reproduction with OMs. A glance at any one of these cartridges will reveal Ortofon's answer to perfect...
ortofon.com ortofon.com
Click to expand...
At the start of the thread, you recommended products by JICO. While browsing their website, I noticed they had styli that came with a head shell, so that you could swap it out if need be. If the Concorde isn’t a good option for someone like me, do you think that this would better suit my needs?
 
Yeeterkeeter said:
At the start of the thread, you recommended products by JICO. While browsing their website, I noticed they had styli that came with a head shell, so that you could swap it out if need be. If the Concorde isn’t a good option for someone like me, do you think that this would better suit my needs?
Click to expand...
Yes, that is a very good cartridge and head-shell combination. It will allow you to upgrade the stylus at a later date, or if you are happy with the original, simply buy another stylus when it wears out.

Since you bought a used turntable without a head-shell or cartridge, you have the option to either buy a cartridge/headshell combination as I suggested or to buy a used original Technics head-shell on ebay and new cartridge to learn how to install a cartridge in a head-shell and align it properly. This could be a more affordable way to go and at the same time you would learn what any audiophile should know.
 
ortofon.com

OM 5S

The OM 5S features Spherical stylus, robust and economic solution for play back of vinyl records. If your tonearm has a standard headshell or a cartridge mount, then step up to optimal sound reproduction with OMs. A glance at any one of these cartridges will reveal Ortofon's answer to perfect...
ortofon.com ortofon.com
 
Because the JICO headshell/stylus combo costs 180 dollars and this is my second time doing this, I think I will take your advice and buy a used Technics headshell and then get an entry-level Otrofon cart (or whatever cart I find to suit my budget and needs) Before I get any of that though, I will return the cheap cart/headshell.
 
So I will chime in since I have a SL-1210 MKII that I have upgraded over time. From my experience KAB Electro Acoustics is one of the best sources for anything to do with the Technics SL-1200 and it's variants.

I purchased a Technics original headshell from KAB which makes me happy to know it is an true Technics headshell and not a copy. Other parts such as bulbs, turntable interconnects, tone arms, etc. have also been sourced from KAB.

For cartridges I would currently recommend the Audio Technica AT-VM95E as a starter cartridge, good specifications from a reliable company.

I currently have the Ortofon 2M Red, 2M Blue, and a Denon DL-103 which I exchange depending on my mood and the condition of the vinyl being played. The Denon provides it's own challenges with cartridge weight and the need for a good MC pre-amp, but that is another topic of discussion.
 
Another thing I forgot to mention earlier, but how do I lubricate the tonearm assembly? Is there something specific I should use or do I stay away from touching it at all?
 
the Audio Technica cartridge @Dony suggested is another good option, it too can be upgraded by simply buying a new stylus of which there are several flavors.

I personally would start with the AT-VM95C (conical) which is only $39.00 and can be upgraded later with a elliptical stylus.

www.audio-technica.com

AT-VM95C

This VM95 Series cartridge with 0.6 mil conical stylus fits half-inch mount turntables. The cartridge’s special coil design delivers a powerful output level of 4.0 mV. It also offers excelle ...
www.audio-technica.com www.audio-technica.com

replacement stylus:

www.audio-technica.com

AT-VMN95C

0.6 mil conical replacement stylus for these cartridges: AT-VM95C
www.audio-technica.com www.audio-technica.com

upgrade options:

www.audio-technica.com

AT-VMN95E

0.3 x 0.7 mil elliptical replacement stylus for these cartridges: AT-VM95E
www.audio-technica.com www.audio-technica.com

www.audio-technica.com

AT-VMN95EN

0.3 x 0.7 mil elliptical replacement stylus for these cartridges: AT-VM95EN
www.audio-technica.com www.audio-technica.com

AT-VM95 Series

www.audio-technica.com www.audio-technica.com
 
Yeeterkeeter said:
So tomorrow I am going to return the cheap cart I bought, so there's my 26 dollars back
Click to expand...
That is really not a decent thing to do in my opinion. You buy a cheap cart, set it up use it so now it cant be resold then return it probably at the sellers expense so now they not only have a cart they cant sell as it is used, they are out of pocket too.
Chris
 
You should have posted the link for that cartridge in this thread before buying it to get some opinions.

I don't think that type of ebay seller will be adversely affected by the return but it is not a good practice. Also, buying junk like that does not help the audio culture. We need to support reputable manufacturers who provide us with quality components.
 
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*sigh* I suppose you guys are right. I don’t return items often, I think I’ve only done it like, twice, and both of those were for items that didn’t work, but I suppose for an item like a stylus you can’t really return it. I suppose I can use it to practice aligning the cart or actually attaching a new cartridge to the head shell.
 
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