Cartridge for Technics SL-1200G or SL-1200GR

I have two SL1200 mkIIs (one I bought new and one I refurbished with a new arm) plus a 1200GR in heavy rotation for the past six months. It’s a superb table and is more solid in imaging and bass, and quieter, than its predecessors. Cartridges include the Black (highly recommended) and several other Nagoakas, Stantons, Pickerings, Grados and Shures. But my favorite, and I HIGHLY recommend it, is a vintage Pickering XSV3000 (or 4000) and you can still get styli for these. Take a look at Wittsolutions on eBay for a wide selection of excellent vintage cartridges. You’ll save some money and be hard pressed to improve upon those MM designs and builds from the 70s and 80s.

And +1 on the KAB damper for SL1200mkIIs; it won't fit the GR as the arm gimbal bearing supports are considerably wider. Hopefully, KAB will make a new one that does.

The 1600mk2 is a great turntable, and if you are considering moving to a SL-1200xxx you will need to get used to picking up the tonearm at the end of play. That was one of the reasons I wanted a SL-1700mk2, because I’m lazy :-)

Back in the day, I bought the 1600 because it was totally automatic.  I kinda dread having to manually pickup the tone arm, but if I go the 1200 route, I'll have to get accustomed to it :-)

@oldschool1948...……………………………………….

You do realize the SL1200G is a $4000.00 turntable, where the SL1200GR is a $1700.00 Turntable? I have the 1200G and use a ZU Audio mofified Denon DL103MC cartridge. Breathtaking is how I would describe the sound.

@stevecham But my favorite, and I HIGHLY recommend it, is a vintage Pickering XSV3000 (or 4000) and you can still get styli for these.

I have a minty spare of Pickering XSV 3000 if anyone need it, the XSV3000 is equal to Stanton 881s. I like those cartridges, but Stanton signature SC-100 WOS is much better (the only problem is the price), it’s an exceptional MM cartridge, very rare. Highly recommended for Stanton/Pickering fan club.

Another relatively cheap MM is a vintage Ortofon M20FL Super (Nude Fine Line tip). Great cartridge for those Technics tonearms. Some dealers offered this cartridge with $5000 tonearms, until the buyer will find anything better. If the budget is under $300 then M20FL Super is a contender! It looks like VMS series, everyone can learn more about it in this anniversary calendar. I have a NOS stylus, but still looking for a generator myself.

@oldschool1948 Don’t know the budget, but if you have more than $600 for a cartridge then you can find some stellar vintage MM for this tonearm. Victor X1, X1-II, X-1IIe are superb, Audio-Technica AT-ML170 is an exceptional MM, Joseph Grado XTZ is very good, Pioneer PC-100 mkII is great, Technics EPC-205c mk4 is amazing (only if the suspension is fine).

For a brand new carts look for Garrott Brothers p77i and higher models, if they are as good as the old Garrott p77 then it’s amazing.