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SL1200 upgrade tonearm or replace cartridge?

The upgrade bug has started to bite again. I'm thinking of upgrading my tonearm from a stock sl1200 tone arm with cards wires to a SME arm (309, IV, or V).

My other issue is that my cartridge, a Benz Glider homc, I nearing the point where it could use a re-tip or exchange.

My budget is limited, so I can only do one of the above this year.

So my question is, which upgrade cart or arm?

Is the glider a good fit for the SME arms?

Which SME arm is the best fit for the SL1200?
nick_sr
zenblaster
504 posts
 
My apologies Dave, they are clearly different. I have owned both at times and never realized they were different arms. They both sounded very similar/good and look the same. I spend more time listening to music on my Tech, I spend more time fiddling around seeking perfection on my VPI.
dave_72
1,399 posts
 
Hi Zenblaster,

No apology necessary! No worries. Yes they do, so it's hard to tell the differences. Yeah, that's what's good about the Technics, it's a very easy table to set up and maintain. It doesn't require a lot of fiddling around either.
zenblaster
504 posts
 
Nick-
Have you decided what you are going to do?

My vote is the Trans Fi Terminator, then again I'm not the one setting it up. It looks very cool though and is rumored to sound fantastic.
ratbbb2's avatar
ratbbb2
32 posts
 
Didn't read the whole thread so forgive me if I'm repeating anything here. I would look into a good Cartridge and Phono Stage . Then set it up correctly Can the Arm on the 1200 be adjusted for hight (vta) ? Itis amazing whate those two "components" can do when matched well . Another thing is cables , does't need to be mega bucks to make an improvement..
noromance's avatar
noromance
9,828 posts
 
Really? Someone suggested SME iv and v for a relatively cheap turntable? All the SL1200s I have heard sounded a bit rough. It just seems like a top heavy approach.
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