• The move to the new server is done. There are some software and database maintenance updates in process. This has us passing the hat around to help out. We appreciate any donations. Seriously, even a dollar helps. The payment page may be found here - https://www.audiokarma.org/support.html

Technics SL-1700MK2 Cartridge/Stylus/Headshell Recommendation?

JamesDean59

JamesDean59

Well-Known Member
Morning everyone,

I picked up an SL-1700MK2 that is in need of a headshell, cart and stylus.

Just for reference, I've got a SL-1500MK2 that has a AT12sa with a Shibata stylus on it.

What are you recommendations for this table?
 
Register to hide this ad
I'm just too partial. The OEM Technics headshell is very good at about 7 grams.

The range of carts is wide and deep. Others will have great recommendations and be able to tell you exactly why. For myself I use a AT 440mla on my SL 1600MkII which I believe has a similarly massed tone arm. I damaged the stylus and replaced with a 140lc and am very happy with this combo. Depends on your budget.

There's a lot of recent info here on the TT forum about AT 120's - another great choice. Check out some of the threads/posts and you'll gain a good sense of what works and what might not. There's a huge "preference" factor when it comes to carts and styli as you'll see. You could also consider a MC cart like a Denon 103. I have a DL160 I use and like it a lot -- just a bit less than the AT lineup

As I understand it the AT12sa would be a good match too. Get a good set of SOARS headshell leads and you'll be all set!
 
Yup, those are the ones. Decent quality, decent price. Lpgear is a good vendor for carts and styli. Headshells too I believe.
 
Do you plan on keeping the 1500MK2? If not, then I'd just remove the headshell from it and put it on the 1700MK2. You could then sell the 1500mk2 sans headshell/cart/stylus, or at least buy a cheap headshell and cart to put on it.

For what it's worth, I'm enjoying the Shure M97xE cartridge (stock stylus) with a standard Technics headshell I picked up on the bay.
 
If you plan on getting a new headshell, you'll get wires. Quality is generally in keeping with that of the headshell. The SOARS would, however be an improvement over the stock Technics wires.

As mentioned, the original Technics headshell is a good choice and my general preference for these tables. They're available all the time on eBay, new and used. Occasionally, new ones can be had for under $20.00 shipped.

The MK2 arm is, IMO, particularly accommodating of a wide range of cartridges. I have a fairly large and varied assortment of mounted cartridges that I'm always switching between. You almost can't go wrong but, of course, budget considerations rear their head here. There's a pretty good discussion of the cartridges AKers have found to work well on this arm contained in the 1600, 1700, 1800 owner's thread here.

John
 
Last edited:
JamesDean59 said:
I plan on keeping the 1500MK2. We dont mention the word "sell" around the equipment. It makes them jumpy!
Click to expand...

Since I'm also from NE Ohio if you don't mind my asking what part are you from. If you'd like you can send me a PM if you don't want to post it here.

Thanks.
 
Stanton681EEES said:
Since I'm also from NE Ohio if you don't mind my asking what part are you from. If you'd like you can send me a PM if you don't want to post it here.

Thanks.
Click to expand...

Ha, I just saw your posts in that thread boreas linked. I was curious too.

I'm from the Youngstown/Warren area. Where are you abouts?
 
JamesDean59 said:
Ha, I just saw your posts in that thread boreas linked. I was curious too.

I'm from the Youngstown/Warren area. Where are you abouts?
Click to expand...

Old section of Boardman rite near the Youngstown line. I also have a 1700MKII and have rebuilt one from two tables so i know these tables pretty well.
 
Stanton681EEES said:
Old section of Boardman rite near the Youngstown line. I also have a 1700MKII and have rebuilt one from two tables so i know these tables pretty well.
Click to expand...

Ha! I wasn't expecting to find anyone on here close to me. When you said NE I figured more north like in Ashtabula county.

A friend of mine has recently discovered/gotten into all this stuff and she won a SL-1700 on eBay and I ended up winning a SL-1700MK2 that was being sold for parts. So we'll see what happens when it gets here. Hopefully it just needs a headshell/cart/etc and nothing else. Either way should be a fun project.

I've also got a 1500MK2 that's my dad. Unfortunately the cue-ing/mute mechanism is shot on it.

I'm up near the Eastwood Mall actually.
 
JamesDean59 said:
Ha! I wasn't expecting to find anyone on here close to me. When you said NE I figured more north like in Ashtabula county.

A friend of mine has recently discovered/gotten into all this stuff and she won a SL-1700 on eBay and I ended up winning a SL-1700MK2 that was being sold for parts. So we'll see what happens when it gets here. Hopefully it just needs a headshell/cart/etc and nothing else. Either way should be a fun project.

I've also got a 1500MK2 that's my dad. Unfortunately the cue-ing/mute mechanism is shot on it.

I'm up near the Eastwood Mall actually.
Click to expand...

if you need help just let me know............. I completely redid mine.
Repainted, new audio cables, new arm wire etc...............
 
It arrived today! It was packaged well. The platter was removed and bubble wrapped separately. The tone arm was also packaged (in place) but with styrofoam around it.

Some Observations:

1) When I installed the platter it, it hanged up near the tone arm. Turned out the feet were not secure. That fixed that.

2) The pop up light does not work. I gather the replacement bulb would be:
http://www.planetdj.com/i--SL-12-BULB

3) I installed my AT15s head from the 1500MK2 and fired up the 1700MK2. The belt for the arm movement is missing so thats "manual" for now. However when I moved the arm out, the platter spun up. The strobe indicator lights were steady. I put down an album and it played clearly out both channels.

4) The pitch control does not work well. I can turn it either direction and always end up with the indicators in the red on the right side and the platter slowed down immensly.

5) The power button was stuck. Remedied by cleaning and lubrication.

So all in all, table is largely functional. No dust cover, No tone arm belt, bad pitch controls and a broken pop up light. Not toooo horrible. No show stoppers.

Some pictures:
http://imgur.com/a/qfnid
 
To get the tonearm moving until you get a proper belt, just put a good rubber band on there. The "rubber band fix" is famous here on AK and there are many good photos which you may have already discovered.

But as long as the arm is stuck in the "down" position, the mute will be off and you can use the table as a manual, as you've been doing.

The pitch control gets dirty over the decades. The best fix is to clean the control with a good contact cleaner meant for use with "pots" (potentiometers). You might also try simply turning the knob back and forth about ten times.
 
wualta said:
To get the tonearm moving until you get a proper belt, just put a good rubber band on there. The "rubber band fix" is famous here on AK and there are many good photos which you may have already discovered.

But as long as the arm is stuck in the "down" position, the mute will be off and you can use the table as a manual, as you've been doing.

The pitch control gets dirty over the decades. The best fix is to clean the control with a good contact cleaner meant for use with "pots" (potentiometers). You might also try simply turning the knob back and forth about ten times.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the tips. I actually havent done that thorough of a search on here yet I'll have to search for those pictures.

I'd like to get the proper belt if its still available.

I'm not sure about the pitch control still, we sprayed it with DeOxIt cleaner and then used the fader lube on it afterwards and the operation was unchanged. I might have to pull it and check its operational range.
 
If you're already familiar with Caig products and their use, you've likely already disassembled the table enough to get the snorkel right inside the pot, so my guess is the next step is remove and replace or at the very least least spritz it again.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom