Technics SL 1200 GR


Hi everyone,

I know that a lot of you might think I am crazy but it is what it is.  I heard a Rega Planar 6 play a few days ago and was totally mesmerized with the sound. This will be my first TT and I am the type that prefers to buy the best I can instead of starting small, selling and upgrading. I have to admit, I do enjoy fiddling with upgrades but the idea is to get a future proof turntable and upgrade stuff like cartridges, etc along the way.  

Before you recommend that I get the P6, its simply out of my budget. I could consider the P3 if you believe its better than the SL 1210 GR (not the latest model 2 but the original one). 

Anyway, here are some questions I was hoping you'd be able to help me with:

  • What will a good starter Cartridge?
  • Should I go for MM or MC? Is one more complicated to install than the other? prefer something simple as its my first time.  Also, I read stuff like LO and HO.. For what ts worth, I will be using my Marantz PM Ki Ruby's built in phono (I believe it can handle both MM and MC, I could be wrong).
  • Anything else I should keep in mind?  Basic products for maintenance? 

Thanks in advance for your help. I appreciate it!

prashanth14485

@zazouswing Just realized that I can still return the cartridge (perhaps have them cancel the order if they haven't shipped it yet).  Do you think the Denon 103 will sound considerably better?  Meaning it will do better given I don't have a dedicated phono pre-amp (just the Marantz Integrated) and that its a MC cart? Guessing its LO?

I’ve never heard the AT so unfortunately I can’t give a good comparison. I know there are reviewers out there who swear by the Denon 103 and review carts costing 4K+. 
 

I looked up your amp. It appears to have a MM and MC setting only. There doesn’t appear to be any resistance loading options. When it comes to MM vs MC Lo, the physical install complexity is the same, but electronically they are very different. A MM cart puts out about 4mv, and required about 45db gain to get it up to line level. A MC Lo puts out about .3 mv and requires a SUT or about 65db gain to get it to the same level.
 

assume (assume being the key word) that your amp’s MC input is preset to about 60db gain and maybe 100 or 400 ohms resistance. There is a formula used for determining the appropriate resistance for an MC cart. The 103R has .25mv output and 14ohms impedance. The 103 has .3mv output and 40 ohms impedance. The formula is to determine the step up ratio required (5mv / cart output mv), square that value, and divide it into 47,000 ohms. This gives you the natural impedance of the input. The cart wants to see 10 times it’s internal impedenece. For the 103R, this means a 1:20 step up ratio and about 117ohms natural loading - and the cart wants to see something above 140. That’s about right. For the 103, this is a 1:15 step up and about 177 ohms natural input loading - but the cart wants to see more than 400 - that’s not normal. Normally, if your above the resistance, you’re OK. If your below, the cart gets ‘pinched’. 
 

What does all this mean? The 103 is an OG cart and best uses if you have control over the resistance. The 103R has more normal specs and is probably more forgiving. Reviewers tend to say the 103R provides more ‘high end sparkle’ - if that’s what your looking for. 
 

Needless to say - this is complicated. It’s more complicated than what o have here because the 103 is an unusual cart with a lot of history and folks who tweak the load to suite their tastes. Ideally you could find out what the load is on the MC input of the amp and let that be your guide. Better yet, someone else has heard both and can make a recommendation. 

As far as a weight gauge, it’s used to set the tracking force. With the Techniques, they will tell you to mount the cart and zero out the counter weight when the arm floats above that table. Then, based on what the cart manufacturer recommended for down pressure, adjust the counter weight. The stylus gauge lets you confirm this number by taking an actual reading instead of using the marks on the counter weight. I have never found the table to be off by more than a 10th of a gram- so really not needed unless you end up with several carts and head shells and need to switch them out often. I have one brace I listen to a lot of mono and 78’s - so 5 carts for me in rotation depending on the albums. 

@zazouswing haha, that went right over my ignorant head. I guess I'll stick to the AT cart for now and revisit the Denon and other MC carts a few months down the road.  I hope the AT won't be too disappointing, esp given that I haven't heard that many turntables sing. Its been a 100% digital until now. Excited and nervous at the same time. 

And it helps to know that I don't need a weight gauge at this point. Thanks again!