New AT150MLx and/or M91ED JICO SAS and what to do with XV15

[Josey Wales]

Hello

I have recently bought my second TT to accompany my DUAL 601 and I ended up with an SL-1210 Mk2, which I am currently running with an M91ED with a JICO SAS stylus on.
And I think it sounds great (the SAS stylus really is amazing). This means that the DUAL is now awaiting a new cartridge. And there lies my question, what cart to use where.
As it is now there are a few different solutions that I am considering:
- To buy an AT150MLx (which I have understood is regarded by many as the best MM for the SL-1210) and move the M91ED to the DUAL
- To continue using the M91ED on the SL-1210 and buy a new stylus for a Pickering XV15 that I have lying around, which is currently missing a stylus, and put that on the DUAL
- To move the M91ED to the DUAL and use the XV15 with a new stylus on the SL-1210
- Or, given the fact that people on this forum seems to have knowledge without end about everything vinyl, better suggestions than mine

[Alec124c41]

I think the Dual has the lighter arm, so I would expect the Shure to sing on that, and the AT or Pickering on the 1210. I cannot compare the latter 2, because I have not heard them.

Cheers,
Alec

[Josey Wales]

Thanks for the input. I've been having the same thoughts myself, but it is nice to get confirmation from people "in the know".
I am fairly new into all this and it seems that all I manage to do is to dig up new questions every day.
The Shure will transfer to the DUAL and then I will either dig fairly deep into my pockets and get the AT or dig not so deep and get a new stylus for the Pickering. See there is another question to ponder.

[dlaloum]

Not convinced about the AT150MLx on the 1200... I think it would perform better on the dual as it prefers a lighter arm.

Have you considered its direct competitor the Nagaoka MP500 - that would be a far better match for the SL1200 arm.... (and if budget constraints kick in, work your way down the MP range to the one you are comfortable with - they all match a mid mass arm)

The SAS on the dual should work well.

The LPGear "Vividline" styli (HE I presume?) are getting a very good rep for the XV15 - Turntableneedles probably has a HE stylus that may be identical.

[Josey Wales]

I don't have any first hand experience with the AT, its just that I have read numerous people saying that it is the best, fair priced, MM for the SL-1210 but as you say the SL-1210 arm is medium mass so maybe I should try another route.
Unfortunately there are no SAS stylus available for the XV15 otherwise that would have been my choice but the LP gear stylus was quite cheap (79.95 if I remember correctly) so that will probably be my solution for the time being.

I transfered the M91ED to the DUAL and it was indeed an improvement, it sounded wonderful.

[Whitneyville]

The XV15 with any stylus is going to start rolling off above about 18KHz rather quickly. The ViVidline is a "poorman's" line-contact stylus, and is easy on vinyl and tracks very well but the Pickering's generator can only do so much. The AT-120E is a good match for the SL-12xx series usually. I own an XV15 and now 6 different stylii for it from a 78 "pencil" to the Vivid-line on my Dual 1226, and I can't recommend it higher for "imperfect" records. With the right stylus, it's a real scratch/damage "fixer". Not-so-great pressings or recordings benefit from the VX15 too. Noise from the Peanut Gallery.

[dlaloum]

It is a high inductance design (XV15) but you can limit the rolloff by lowering capacitance...

If the frequency response profile of the design in its native form bothers you - use custom loading to adjust to taste... a touch of salt (capacitance) and a touch of pepper (resistance) and all will be fine!

[Josey Wales]

Changing inductance and resistance seems a bit too complicated for me at this early stage of my vinyl awakening unfortunately.
But if the XV15 with LPgear stylus works fine on less than perfect records it should suit me perfectly since I buy most of my records from goodwill/garage sales.
I still have some time to think about this though since my SL-1210 is currently disassembled for cleaning and replacement of burnt out target light.
So keep those suggestions coming, they are much appreciated.