Tell about your experience with your old Audio-Technica SL-1200s..

Here is a story:

I still have a pair of upgraded SL1210 mkII in my second system, I bought them in 1995. After all those cheap Ortofon, Shure, Grado (MI and MM) cartridges I finally bought Technics 205c mk3 then mk4 and I was blown away! I tried those rare Technics carts rebuild, re-tipped, with JICO SAS Boron and finally with original stylus (it was the best). And it was a huge impact to start digging for a better cartridges, I tried modern LOMC (it wasn’t better).

When I was ready for upgrade I decided to buy Technics SP-10 mkII and it was HUGE upgrade over my old SL1210mkII with all the tweaks. My choice of tonearm was EPA-100, but then I bought "12 inch Thomas Schick and finally Reed 3p "12 inch.

Then I discovered Technics SP-20, here you can see my SP-10 mkII and SP-20 (black).

After several years of searching and trying many direct drive turntables I ended up with this PD-444. I bought a pair and never looked back, clearly my favorite turntable. But my interest in vintage Direct Drive motivated me to buy Victor TT-101 and Denon DP-80.

I had to sell all my Technics (SP10 and SP20 series) turntables to raise funds for other turntables.

P.S. If you want to try something much better and DIFFERENT then I can recommend SP-10 mkII with EPA-100 tonearm (as much better turntable) and Denon DP-80 in original plinth with DA-401 tonearm as something different and better. Those are reasonably priced, so they are best bang for the $$$.

Audio Technica ancient history.

Yes, pardon me - Technics SL-1200 mkii, but not necessarily limiting the discussion to just that model. 

Fundamental: The plinth, platform: Rock Stability for stylus vibration to go only into the cartridge, combined with plinth isolation from the outside world, as that plinth’s rock stability will transfer external vibration superbly as well.

I strongly encourage you/anyone to consider a table that allows two arms,

Possibly one long, but even two 9" arms has the advantage of having two cartridges aligned/balanced, switch back and forth instantly in a listening session. One fixed cartridge, other removable headshell gives benefits and flexibility.

long arm was my initial motivation, next: one stereo; one mono for Jazz was the real advantage.

Lastly, I went overboard and squeezed a 3rd arm on, so I have MC, MM and Mono. Chakster also squeezed a 3rd arm on that amazing Luxman 2 arm deck, a beauty, (too rare for me).

https://scontent-arn2-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.30808-6/226605637_6255459961138785_8993343520540965874_n....

Using MM for LP’s I sell (less wear on MC). I just easily changed my MM to a friend’s re-discovered MC so we could hear it, easy as that arm has a removable headshell. Easily compare two Stereo Cartridges, enjoy either’s characteristics.

Removable headshell: consider adjustable Azimuth type, a whole lot easier than shims if a squeak of rotation is needed.

I went vintage JVC CL-P2 Plinth and TT81 Spinner. Solid 7 layer plinth on isoblocks worked for me at current location, I have springy wood floors.

Chakster also squeezed a 3rd arm on that amazing Luxman 2 arm deck, a beauty, (too rare for me).

No, since I have two LUX turntables I got 4 tonearms in use (2 per deck :)

A picture with 3 arms on one deck was made when I decided to swap 64fx with 66fx, so I put the long 66fx near the short 64fx to compare. Love these tonearms!