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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
arcticdeth's avatar
arcticdeth
1,549 posts
 
Still use my 2 sl1200 mkiis’

  I switched to Ortofon nightclub ii,  and I use the arkiv as well.Depending on the recording.

 Track great, sound great, reliable, always start and stop.

 Hope to pass em down someday!
chakster's avatar
chakster
6,144 posts
 
@arcticdeth once you will try better cartridges even at the same price as your dj nightclub II or arkiv, you will be blown away by the sound difference! There is a huge compromise in sound quality in favor to usability in cartridges you’re using (I owned all of them from Ortofon back in the days), and high tracking force is not good for your records. If you like Ortofon try to find M20FL Super with FineLine stylus at $150, you will never return to the nightclub or arkiv once you will hear what is a FineLine "nude" stylus profile.
luisma31
516 posts
 
What @chakster said
boothroyd
365 posts
 
The Mk5 is my final destination. 1st attempt at modding an heirloom Mk5 for a friend was such a success and reality check, I built up a second duplicate for myself. Sad to see the demise of Jelco. Their original TK-850S is an integral part of the equation for use with modern MC pickups.
solypsa's avatar
solypsa
462 posts
 
There are other arms to use in lieu of the Jelco...but in any case yes the stock arm can't track a heavier low compliance cart correctly.
Light mods really wake up the old 1200s but I would, as Chackster suggested, go for an SP10mk2 or the others he suggested if bigger money will be spent eventually.

There are also modern DD aside from Technics from STST, Brinkmann etc. worth considering as well if diy isn't your cup of tea...
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