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

@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.

I know the price difference.  I’m retiring and setting up my first and last listening room.  I just bought an Innous Zenith MK2 CD ripper/media streamer, which replaced my Mc MCD7008 CDP and Squeezebox Duet.  The Zenith is really nice.  My analog sources are the 1600 and a Teac X10-R reel-to-reel.  

I have about 1200-1300 vinyl albums that I’ve rediscovered after a long hieatius listening to CDs, my reels, and streaming.  I forgot how much I love the sound of vinyl. So I’m looking to improve on what I have.  The GR is a possibility, but at the same time, I’m trying to balance my TT purchase with my existing equipment.  

In the end, I can’t take it with me :-). So spending an additional 3 or -4K to get the TT sound I want is not of the question.

I like manual tables because, even though I don't really want to, it does get me up off my fat rump every twenty minutes or so to change the side/record.

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

Sorry this is incorrect. KAB has a damper for the G/GR. I have it on my GR.

Alsowhile the G is better than the GR, from all reports it is barely better. My GR competes with my Prime (with speed controller). The prime is a better table all around but the GR is 90% of it.

i use a Denon 103r with ebony body on the GR and a Soundsmith Carmen Mkii on the Prime.