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Life After Technics SL1200 Mk5

Hi All,

i am starting the hunt for a new turntable and what to hear from past owners of Technics TT's.

My first real turntable was a Luxman PD272 with a Shure V15 Type IV cartridge, both of which I wore out. Given it was my formative years, I loved that set-up. I acquired my Technics 1200 Mk5 about ten years ago after a long journey down the digital fork in the road. 

Due to some technical furniture issues and WAF, I had to set the TT aside, again. I have rolled through various digital gear and currently use a PS Audio PWT and Theta ProBasic III R2R ladder DAC.

Anyway...I set up the Technics again with an AT150 MLX cartridge and....lo and behold...the digital setup, while not possessing that vinyl sound, does sound better than the SL1200 and AT150.

I did not want to believe this, so I reinstalled the cartridge and realigned the table. Same resort. Basically, the sound is a bit tilted to the treble, the bass is a bit thin compared to my digital gear, and the overall sound seems lean.I have fiddled with cartridge tracking and tonearm balance with no improvement.

So what is next? Is it I do not like the AT cartridge? Has my digital gear outgrown my TT?

That is why I want to learn about the experiences of those of you that moved to a different turntable from Technics. What Technics table did you have and what cartridge? What new turntable and cartridge replaced your Technics setup? How did the sound improve? I would appreciate any and all advice!

Thanks for listening,

Dsper


dsper
dsper OP
663 posts
 
FWIW, I realigned my moving coil AT150 MLA and I got the balance right but it is definitely harsh in the treble. I think I am done fussing with it.

atmasphere, it was good to see your comment about the Grado Gold as it is on my short list of lighter weight MM cartridges.  I am also considering a Sumiko Pearl or maybe a bit higher up that line. Another manufacturer I have been looking at is the Nagaoka 110 or 150.

I like the smoothness of my Ortofon ProS40 but wish it was a bit more lively..... 
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ihcho's avatar
ihcho
612 posts
 
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@dsper  It looks like your journey is never ending, like most of us.
Your Jolida phono pre should be more than adequate to reveal the wonderful sound AT150mlx would produce.  You might still want to check the tubes.
I have not heard of MC AT150MLA cartridge. Are you sure about the model number? 
If I were you, I would buy another brand new cartridge and test the overall setup. Any cartridge at over $100 should sound much better than CDs.  Shure M97xE may be good. Gee M97xE was about $100 a few years ago, but now it sells at over $300. 
If the sound is still dull or bass is thin, you might want to borrow your friend's turntable and give a try.
Anyway, there is no such thing as a perfect setup. You can only improve from what you have. The process of improvement is a fun part of listening to vinyl. Often times you get frustrated but it is just a part of the game.
dsper OP
663 posts
 
ihcho, Sorry, typo, I meant AT150mlx.

I have played with the Jolida voltage gain and impedance switches but maybe I have missed a good combination. It just keeps coming up a bit thin and well....shrill.

So maybe the cartridge has deteriorated over time. There are not enough hours on the stylus for that to be the problem.

In the meantime my Orton Concorde ProS 40 is playing just fine, given what it is. 
ihcho's avatar
ihcho
612 posts
 
As long as it works well with the Ortofon cartridge, you are good. 
I also feel that AT150mlx is a bit of high on treble side, but not at the fatiguing level. My SPU cartridges sound rather smoother than AT150mlx.
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