What cartridge is on your Technics SL12xx ?

[cafe latte]

Hey guys,

I just dusted off my 1200 MKII's and found this site in order to do some self servicing. I'm going to replace the stylus' for the Shure M44-7 Cartridges and after reading through this thread I noticed a lack of mention of shure cartridges?

That is more a DJ cart and your Technics will sound a LOT better if you replace the cart with something a bit further up the food chain. It is not a cart I am personally familiar with so I dont know if replacing the stylus with a better one (hifi) will give any improvements, but I guess not, others may know more.
Regards
CL

[heppuli]

Stanton 885LZS with D88-S stylus. Sounds excellent.

[Werner]

[hey_homes]

Does anyone who uses their turntables for DJing (just mixing, not scratching) have decks equipped with higher end carts? I ask because I often use my turntables for straight listening but also have a mix from time to time. I guess you wouldn't want to be too hard on an expensive cartridge though.

[mmarston]

Hey guys,

I just dusted off my 1200 MKII's and found this site in order to do some self servicing. I'm going to replace the stylus' for the Shure M44-7 Cartridges and after reading through this thread I noticed a lack of mention of shure cartridges?

Might want to look at the N55E stylus, elliptical, tracks 1-2 grams, fits the M44 body. Should be quite a bit more refined sounding than the DJ stylus. M44-7 was originally marketed as a hi-fi cartridge in the '60s, was considered good at the time.

[arnelc]

Is it worth to get a used M55e cart if I have already a M447 cart installed in my sl mk3? I found a NOS N55e stylus which I plan to use on my M447 cart. Will there be a big difference between the 2 carts?

[mmarston]

I don't have any direct experience, so can't say for sure, but my gut feeling is there probably isn't much if any difference. The M55 body was discontinued long ago while they continued to make styli, if that's a clue...

Best,
Mike

[arnelc]

Thanks Mike...will settle with the N55e, hope to get it by the weekend.

[gx502]

Using Ortofon Kontra-B w/ SA-750D on my MK5, with a MN bearing, and TS-STD PSU

[snfrosten]

Grado Signature XTZ in Cardas rewired arm

[mmarston]

Looking back I see I neglected to specify. I've had a pair of bone stock MkIIs for 17 years. They live in a DJ console in a spare bedroom (separate system in the living room.) They've always carried Ortofon OM series; I have -10, -20, & original -40 styli that I swap in for different discs. Mostly use the -20 for everyday listening. Had a pair of -30s but one broke & I gave the other away...

I have occasionally swapped in something else from the junk pile but always gone back to the Ortofons. They seem happy there; resonance around 8 Hz.

Best,
Mike

[The Walrus]

Here's my Denon DL-110 with the shell taken off. Sounds superb!!!!!!!!

[Lord Soth]

I'm using an Audio-Technica AT33PTG/2 MC cart on my stock Technics SL 1210M5G.

This has been my one and only cart since I hopped onto the Vinyl bandwagon.

BTW, has anyone managed to roll (akin to "tube-rolling") any carts on their Technics SL1210/1200 with stock configuration?

Care to share your experiences over here?

Thanks.

[cafe latte]

I'm using an Audio-Technica AT33PTG/2 MC cart on my stock Technics SL 1210M5G.

This has been my one and only cart since I hopped onto the Vinyl bandwagon.

BTW, has anyone managed to roll (akin to "tube-rolling") any carts on their Technics SL1210/1200 with stock configuration?

Care to share your experiences over here?

Thanks.

I have a few carts which i use on my Technics... Stanton 881 (actually the original 890al which is the same) with a 881 Jico shibata stylus, a 681 also with a shibata, a sure m97xe, a denon dl160 MC a Stanton trackmaster with a d97xe hifi stylus and a Decca super Gold. They all have there own sound and if I have to choose a fave it would be the Stanton 881 as it is the most honest and usable cart. The Decca is a mind blowing cart and sounds like no other cart made but I cant imagine using it for every day use as it is too odd and difficult. It probably has the sonic edge but it is just too querky for every day use. The 881 just does what it needs to do with a clean sibilance free open sound with great bass and no fuss. The 681 is a bit more closed and when things get tough it suffers at least with my stylus with a touch of sibilance but only on very tough tracks. The sure m97xe is a super good value cart which tracks very well but recent quality control spoils them but mine is a good sounding cart but not as clean as the stanton but a bargin if you find a good one.
The Trackmaster is a DJ cart but is transformed with the hifi stylus. I am considering experimenting with a Jico for it as IMO it would be very interesting as one seller used to sell a version which is no longer available with a similar stylus that was reported to sound quite special. The Denon is a super smooth cart but after the 881 you will miss something as it is a bit too smooth, but very nice all the same with that MC cream. I am considering moving up the Denon food chain but I am a bit held back by the slightly soft presentation of the 160.
All great fun and why I like interchangable headshells
Regards
CL