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Audiophile Cartridge for Technics 1200 dj table?

I have th professional "direct drive", where th magnet is part of th rotating table itself, and has very powerful motor that can bring a 33lp up to speed in one quarter of a turn of th table, (as I'm sure you probably know all this.)

So I'm older now and don't use profess much, never really did, and am more a jazz vinyl fan, and I want to change cartridges to a more gentle audiophile model that will be appropriate for mostly "organic" music listening.

I am using an MK (Miller and Kreisel sp?)self-amped subwoofer/satalite speaker setup with a Denon amp. My budget is $100-140. What are good options?
nelzino
jimel84
38 posts
 
One of my tables is a 1200mkll and I have used three different carts on it. In order of ascending price.
Audio Technica AT95e
Nagaoka MP-110
Denon DL-110
They all have different sonic character,but my favorite is
the Denon.
Am listening to the Stones in mono as I write this.
Enjoy
johnnyb53
3,510 posts
 
I know this is beyond the stated budget, but I have been using an Audio Technica AT150MLX for 2-1/2 years on my SL1210 M5G and it's a *great* match. I mounted it on an LPGear ZuPreme headshell, which is more rigid and non-resonant than the stock headshell, and its extra weight helps match the AT150MLX's compliance with the Technics arm's effective mass.

The tonal balance is very similar to the Denon DL-110 (I used a Denon DL-160 for a year before switching to the AT150MLX), but the AT150MLX pulls way more music out of the groove.

Another possibility is to get a Shure M97xE for around $59.95 and replace the stylus with an aftermarket Jico stylus from LPGear. A couple of A-goners have gone that direction and are ecstatic about the results.

Another thought: KABUSA.com has the Ortofon Concorde cartridge/headshell units upgraded with Ortofon audiophile (i.e., not DJ) stylii here. Getting one this way removes one of the physical connections and ensures that your overhang is as aligned as it's going to be.
nick_sr
263 posts
 
I started out as a DJ and was running the Ortofon OM Night Club E. the sound is fairly good but by no means up to audiophile standards.

I upgraded to the Ortofon 2M blue. This was good step-up. It has good overall sound but lacks the detail of higher end cartridges.

I briefly tried the Audio Technica AT14-SA. This provided a similar level of performance to the 2M blue but I found it to be slightly brighter in sound. Which is not bad per-se just different, it simply shifts the focus more towards the highs. I've seen these sell for under $80 to $90 used here on A-gon.

Bang for the buck I would recommend the AT14 over the 2M blue.

The AT150 MLX is generally considered a good choice for SL-1200 as sugested by Johnny but I have never tried it.

I am curently running a Benz Glider, which I am loving, but that is a little out of your range. If you are patient you can pick them up used for around $400 or less. It truely out performs any other cartridge that I have tried.

Enjoy the SL-1200 it is a great TT.
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