TT/ cartridge recommendations $1000

bigo, this sounds like a good deal. but, for me personally, if i were looking for a good used analog set-up, i'd be more inclined to look for a better 'table, w/a less-good cartridge, & upgrade the cartridge at a later date. i.e., perhaps try to find a vpi mk-iv w/a retail-price cartridge of ~$200, instead of the jr. w/a cartridge that retails for $750 like the glider... but, as musicdoc states, the vpi jr *is* upgradable...

doug s.

Its been a long time since I bought an analog front end, but my past experience was that an upgraded cart. always had a major impact on the sound. Course this was with MM on 70s era AR and Dual TTs.

swamp, yure rite about that. back in ~'77, i took my ol' dual 1229 to the local ann-arbor stereo-shop to trade in on a *real* belt-drive 'table. 'couple hours later, i came home w/the dual, & a $100 m/m ortofon cartridge (big money for a cartridge, in those daze, especially for a college-student). the improvement over my industry-standard shure m91ed was truly amazing.

today, tho, especially if buying used (it's kinda *iffy* buying a used cartridge), i tink i'd make my choice as stated above. my $225 (purchased gnu) ortofon mc25-fl, really is a nice cartridge. as i've mentioned elswhere on these threads, i have a symphonic-line re-tipped lyra clavis that's yet to see playing-time, cuz i'm content w/the ortofon. 'course, i may be really blown away by the improvements when i get around to hooking it up... ;~)

regards, doug s.

Thanks again for the input. You have helped consider some points I would not have thought of as a new audio enthusiast. One more question guys.
I still have my Dual 1237 from the 1980s. If I replaced my cartridge with lets say a Goldring 1042 or Rega Elys could I expect a reasonable sound ? I am also planning to buy a record cleaner like the Nitty Gritty Reocrd Master or 1.0. Any comments about that ? Thanks in advance. Len

animal, hi end the 1200 is NOT. damped or not. for my $1k, i scored a vpiHW19III/smeIVw damping/sumiko virtuoso dtiVDH/mit cable w/WBTs. lucky is the word. look here in audiogon for way better TTs than ANY technics.
its not that they arent ok, just not truly hi end. the tt bearings, dd, arm bearings just arent up to the hi end standard.
that the 1200 has detachable, universal headshell is fun so you can change out carts, the finer carts qualities just wont come thru on the 1200s arm.
........regards......tr