Technics SL-D1 upgrade question.

[kevinmasters]

I want to upgrade the cart. I've been researching them and taking notes an threads. I have a short list.

shure M97xE
Nagoaka mp110
AT440MLa
Ortofon OM5e
Denon DL-160
ortofon blue
ortofon red
m91ed

I need two or three to choose from, please. I'd go as high as $300 if it made a significant difference over a $100 cart too. I know this is highly if not entirely subjective, but perhaps someone has experience with this particular deck.

Thanks in advance,:thmbsp:
Kevin

 

[GPJeff]

For my Technics 1200mk2
AT440MLa is good for rock music - probably the best of the bunch you have listed. Great bass and high end. Tracking is excellent.
The DL-160 has been discontinued for some time now, so it's probably $$$$.

The Nagoaka MP150 that I have I find it more likely to be a Jazz type cart.

I have the Ortofon Blue 2M and it is also good, sounds like the AT440MLa. I had it on the TT for a few weeks until I bought AT440. That stayed on the TT until I bought the SAE 1000LT.

I have the Shure M97xE, which is good, but not as alive as the AT440MLa.

 

[Dr Tinear]

Your SL-D1 is a direct-drive turntable with the same tonearm as my belt-drive SL-230. I'd recommend adding the Grado Green1 to your list. The Grados and the S-arm Technics turntables are a synergistic, hum-free match with very good sound quality. You can enjoy the stock cartridge, spend an hour of your time and less than $20 in materials to build a Longhorn bar that takes it to the next level, and eventually upgrade it further with a $100 Grado 8MZ V stylus when the original stylus wears out.

The Audio by Van Alstine site at http://www.avahifi.com has free instructions on how to make a Longhorn bar. Go to the Resources tab, click on Audio Basic Newsletter, download the 1982 back issue set, and go to page 8. The improvement it provides with most cartridges including the Grados is not subtle.

 

[majick47]

The Denon DL-110 should be on the list and is still in production as far as I know. I had a DL-110 along with the DL-160 a couple years ago and prefered the 160 but the 110 wasn't far behind in performance/sound.

 

[jaba]

The AT440mla is great, but another one to go for is the AT120e. Sounds every bit as good as the 440 imo and costs less. Perhaps a tad less 'bright' and I think that's why I like it. I have had one on my D1 for about a year now and love it.

 

[Azimuth]

It's funny that you mention one Shure from thirty years ago (M91) but no others. I have a Shure V15 IV and a V15 III on my two Technics Direct Drives. If you want to go vintage, you can greatly expand your choices.

 

[kevinmasters]

Your SL-D1 is a direct-drive turntable with the same tonearm as my belt-drive SL-230. I'd recommend adding the Grado Green1 to your list. The Grados and the S-arm Technics turntables are a synergistic, hum-free match with very good sound quality. You can enjoy the stock cartridge, spend an hour of your time and less than $20 in materials to build a Longhorn bar that takes it to the next level, and eventually upgrade it further with a $100 Grado 8MZ V stylus when the original stylus wears out.

The Audio by Van Alstine site at http://www.avahifi.com has free instructions on how to make a Longhorn bar. Go to the Resources tab, click on Audio Basic Newsletter, download the 1982 back issue set, and go to page 8. The improvement it provides with most cartridges including the Grados is not subtle.

Very intertesting and well within my tech abilities. When I upgrade my carts I'll try it with an old one to see how it works out. Do you do this mod?