Technics 1200GR Owners

Have had the GR for over three weeks and it is my final turntable.  Could have sprung for the G but was completely satisfied with the GR in a demo.  
Absolutely loving the speed accuracy and stability that adds an easily distinguishable energy and neutrality to the sound that was not there on my previous high mass belt drive table. 
Makes my old cartridges sound so much more alive. 
The idea of no longer being concerned about speed and pitch wavering allows me to relax and listen to the music. 
Currently running the Ortofon Cadenza Blue which sounds spectacular on this table even with low run in hours. 
Tried a variety of mats and headshells.  The stock headshell works just fine and lets the cartridge be as low as possible.  Other 'shells raised the cartridge and made it impossible to set proper VTA. 
Tried the wooden bull mat (not bad but bass was too rounded off) and the Funk Achromat 5mm.  The achromat was yanked in a hurry because it made the bass sound light and "hollow" and reduced its depth and impact.  The stock mat sounds the best so far- deep bass and high energy neutral sounding.   I may try a Herbies mat in the future but have no need at present.  Thrilled with the neutral, transparent, high energy speed stable sound.    

I had my Zu 103R converted to ESCCO's white sapphire cantilever/Paratrace stylus. Well worth the $400 cost. I believe Andy Kim does this service as well, and you wouldn't have to wait three months like I did. Andy's in Bellevue WA, and I've heard he doesn't dally in his work.

I very glad I had the conversion done, you most likely would too.

Regards,
Dan

@last_lemming

I was thinking of trying and Audio Technica MM cart but I’m not sure which one would be the best fit because I’m not that familiar with that line.

Mid compliance cartridges are great on Technics tonearm, Audio-Technics AT-ML180 OCC and Audio-Technica AT-ML170 are clearly the best MM design made by this respected company, but they are from the 80s (from the golden era). Hollow pipe (Gold-Plated) Boron cantilever and MicroLine stylus tip - the best combination anyone can imagine. This type of stylus is state of the art (similar to Fritz Gyger or MicroRidge), can be used for up to 2000hrs. This is neutrial cartridge! I owned multiply samples, i decided to keep my AT-ML180 OCC (it’s one of my favorite cartridges) and sell my AT-ML170 OFC which is very close. If you looking for the Audio-Technica best MM ever, then you should find more information about these two top models before you will look for anytning else on MM territory at any price.

Neutrial cartridge is what we must have as a reference, especially MM (not MC) then you can compare it to your Denon 103r with conical tip. I know it’s always important to expand the standards, i’m pretty sure with this cartridge on your Technics you will be blown away. I’ve tried it on various Technics tonearms, my favorite is EPA-100mkII.

Specs for AT-ML170 MM:

Frequency Response (Hz): 5 - 40,000
Vertical Tracking Force: 1.25 +/- 0.3
Tracking Ability (microns) at center value VTF: 90
Tracking Ability (microns) at upper value VTF: 100
Channel Separation (dB at 1kHz/10kHz): 31/21
Channel Balance (dB): 0.5
Output (mV at 1kHz), 5 cm/sec): 4
Vertical Tracking Angle: 20 degree
Stylus Shape: 0.1mm MicroLine
Stylus Construction: Nude Square Shank
Cantilever: Gold-plated BORON
Wire Uses For Coil: PCOFC
Recommended Load Impedance (ohms): 47,000
Recommended Load Capacitance (pF): 100 - 200
Dynamic Compliance @ 100Hz: 10.0
(* please note that Dynamic Compliance @10Hz will be around 18-20cu)
Static Compliance: 40.0
Cartridge Weight (grams) 7.0
Replacement Stylus: ATN170ML

Chak

 Thank you for your informative response. I have heard good things about those carts that you recommend. However I would rather keep my budget around $300 - $400 at the most at this point. I’ve pretty much blown through my budget. If I’m going to experiment with a new MM cart is there another cart you would suggest? 

@last_lemming The AT-ML series is unbeatable, if your budget is limited you can start with AT-ML150 (Beryllium cantilever), but it will be impossible to find anything close to AT-ML170 for much lower price if you’re considering new MM cartridges. The MM is out of fashion nowadays, it is impossible to find a modern MM cartridge with hollow pipe boron cantilever and micro line stylus with similar specs (the tip mass, the frequency response etc), even very expensive MC are not close. This type of tapered boron pipe cantilevers are not available anymore, same with beryllium. I’ve tried many cartridges, in my opinion top MM models from the 80s are better choice when it comes to price/quality. The problem is to find a perfect sample, but if you got it then it’s brilliant. You already have some cartridges and if you’re looking for something special you can check not only AT-ML170, but also Victor Laboratory X1 or X1II for your Technics tonearm. Another gian killers are the Grace F-14 or LEVEL II, Stanton CS-100 WOS, but within your budget i could recommend only AT20SLa but they are all high compliance and not ideal for your tonearm, so the AT-ML170 is better choice.

If you really would like to stick to your budget then maybe Glanz MFG-610LX is what you need, check on ebay, they are NOS. I’m not sure this 610LX is equal to my rare Glanz MFG-61 (legendary model, their best of the best), but it must be close! Perfect for your tonearm. It’s not exactly MM, it’s Moving Flux, patented by Mitachi Corporation.

As for the new MM carts i could only recommend Garrott Brothers cartridges, but again i use their old P77, the new "improved version" is P77i Dynamic Coil, but i’m affraid it is not as good as the AT-ML series from the 80s.

I don’t like new Ortofon MM cartridges simply because i have much much better vintage MM cartridges. Also the new AT line of MM carts are not as good as their old AT-ML series (reported by many users who tried both).