compliance

the needle is blackened on the akg.. is that normal? Alot of buildup on the side which I haven't clean. can't make out its epoxy or dirt

I have all the rarest Technics cartridges, the last I received few month ago is p205 mk4 (NOS), I’m still a bit afraid to try it.

Before this NOS sample I had the 205c mk4 (6 of them), 205c mk3 (4 of them), 100c mk3 (two of them). I had an original (used, NOS), also I had Axel’s rebuild versions etc.

Technics are THE MOST problematic cartridges ever! Rubber damper is weak, always too soft, the worst choice of cartridge! I’m telling you based on my own experience, and I have NOS EPA-100 tonearm and even that mega rare EPA-100 mkII right now.

I like Technics tonearms and turntables more than Technics cartridges.
Because you have to spend so much money to find one good sample out of 25 samples and even then suspension will collapse soon (and no one can repair it now).

You Technics cartridge is not even close to the best models like mk4, so the best you can do is to find much better cartridge. Stanton or Pickering are the best for the money, under $450 you can find killer cartridge from top of the line range of models.

Any cartridges I have mentioned before in another post are much better than Technics, they don’t have any single problem with damper (just better design that can last forever). They are fantastic performers (advanced cantilever and stylus tip, coil wire... everything).

So many people were brainwashed by that old MM thread, but Technics appeared to be the worst cartridge and even the OP of that old thread was using ONLY refurbished samples, not the original samples. Technics top model cost over $2k and then you need personal relations with Van Den Hul and abother $1k if he will be able to rebuild it. At the same time a $700 cartridge from another manufacturer can perform better, so go figure.

A person who advocate for a cartridge without even mentioning that it will work only after very expensive rebuild made by VdH is not a trust worthy source to take his opinion seriously. Beware! 

bad news.. cantilever dislocated from rubber lol

Dear @anthonya : Don’s distress, here your new stylus replacement:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/AKG-Stylus-X25MD-24-Original-Stylus-NEW-FOR-AKG-P25MD-24/113325190186?hash=...

or this one, difference is about compliance only where this one is 35cu against the other with 24cu:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/AKG-Stylus-X25MD-35-Original-Stylus-NEW-FOR-AKG-P25MD-35/113325226128?hash=...

you can buy both.

and this a low weigth magnesium headshell:


https://www.ebay.com/itm/DENON-PCL-5-VINTAGE-HADSHELL/274701297619?hash=item3ff57927d3:g:6zcAAOSwvjV...


R.

I'm still happy. saved more than 500usd and earn some bragging rights.

I'm aware of the epc 205 issues. was told u can get jico ex and use in in mk3 or mk2L by jico. but technics already satisfy my curiosity.
also many people transplant jico ex into epc 100 easy to do

I have a good sample of Stanton 780 which I'm using now whic jico and retipping is easy, KenT mentioned it's almost same as original the jico replacement . 681eee with d1200 jico. 500al with original conical stylus.

most of this poor suspension can be solved by adding a drop of wintergreen oil let it soak a week and washed out with alcohol. 

was told my friend have Stanton 980 I will beg for it lol.. probably free. broken tip and get it rebuild 

Raul thanks for link, will get it. it's a great cart.. Best micro and depth is very clear. just worried another shot suspension.