Why does the Dual limit your options in cartridges? That would be a good reason to switch, as changing cartridges can make a lot bigger difference than changing turntables, as I recently discovered when replacing a Clearaudio Charisma II MM with a Hana Umami Red MC (though that also cost almost twice as much) on my 1200G.
Upgrading from Dual 704 to Technics 1300G – Worth it for Sound Quality?
I’ve been using a Dual 704 with an Audio-Technica 440MLb cartridge for many years. I’ve been considering replacing the Dual with a Technics 1300G, but I keep going back and forth on the idea. Would I actually notice an improvement in sound quality?
One of the reasons I’m looking at a different turntable is that the Dual limits my options when it comes to cartridge choice, while the Technics offers far more flexibility in that regard.
What are your thoughts?
13 responses Add your response
Only you can decide if it is worth it, but there is no question that the Technics is superior to the Dual in every possible sense. It will measure better and sound better and be far more flexible. I have owned my GAE since 2016, it sits right next to a TT that costs over 5x as much and yet it is more often than not the one I turn to for most of my listening. These are wonderful TTs and you would not regret the decision to acquire one. |
The SL1300 is the better turntable but the crux of sound quality in vinyl playback is the cartridge compliance quality, frequency response at a given capacitance and VTA. the Audio-Technica 440MLb is good for compliance with the SL1300 tonearm but its frequency response is tilted bright for most capacitance loadings So, you need a new cart with the SL1300 regardless - https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/introducing-the-phono-cartridge-measurement-library.46108/post-1819037
This cartridge is what to get in addition to the SL1300 @naish - Shure V15 Type V-MR MM Phono Cartridge - Complete Kit |
I'd suggest that every aspect of vinyl playback is critical. Overhang especially, but azimuth and zenith as well. Capacitance is primarily a concern with MC cartridges. The issue of compliance is ensuring that it will yield a satisfactory resonance frequency when mounted on your pick up arm |
I agree that the Technics is the better option, price notwithstanding. However, the "light weight" tonearm on the Dual, assuming "light weight" really means low effective mass, is no issue; it's easy to add mass to a tonearm, best at the headshell, to convert a low effective mass tonearm to a high EM tonearm. Cleeds, I always think capacitance is much more of an issue with MM cartridges than with MC types, except where one is using a SUT to add some of the gain needed for an LOMC. |
@lewm +1: Moving coil cartridges are immune to capacitive loading. So are moving iron types like Grado and Soundsmith. |
I like the idea of the Technics 1300G, and while I like the AT440 (using one in my office), I encourage you to try an AT160ml with beryllium cantilever. I took a chance on a used one from this seller, it sounds fabulous. The V15Vxmr version of the shure another member recommended had a beryllium cantilever, I loved mine until I broke it, that's why I took a chance on an AT160 I don't see any listed, but they came with AT headshells with azimuth adjustment, this is aluminum, similar this is carbon |
