[lexiconthx]

I'm currently running a technics 1200 m3d with an Ortofon DJ cartridge. I currently have the DJ S needle but notice there is a DJ E needle also. I'm looking to getting the great sound vynl is known for. While my setup sounds decent I think I can get a better sound by going with the DJ E needle or a new Cart all together. I'm not looking at spending over $400 for a new cart and needle however. I listen to mostly rock music (pink floyd, Zepplin etc...) and some dance as well. I don't plan on using the new cart to dj so I don't need a rugged Dj needle. Any ideas?

 

[lexiconthx]

also has anyone heard the ProS from KAB with the sty40 stylus? Can the sty40 stylus mount to the blue dj cart? Do I need a phono preamp with this cart?

 

[Audiophiliac]

Look up some info on the Zu Audio cartridges. Contact Sean at Zu if you want some advice. I know they use the 1200 quite a bit and know what works and does not work.

 

[A9X-308]



Quote:
Originally Posted by lexiconthx /forum/post/18254826


I'm currently running a technics 1200 m3d with an Ortofon DJ cartridge. I currently have the DJ S needle but notice there is a DJ E needle also. I'm looking to getting the great sound vynl is known for. While my setup sounds decent I think I can get a better sound by going with the DJ E needle or a new Cart all together. I'm not looking at spending over $400 for a new cart and needle however. I listen to mostly rock music (pink floyd, Zepplin etc...) and some dance as well. I don't plan on using the new cart to dj so I don't need a rugged Dj needle. Any ideas?

Shure M97xE

 

[shane55]



Quote:
Originally Posted by A9X-308 /forum/post/18258208


Shure M97xE

Not a bad choice. I had one for a long time (still have it, actually). After testing several I went with the AT-440MLa

http://www.lpgear.com/Merchant2/merc...tegory_Code=A3


It's a really amazing tracker and very quick. It would be very good for the Rock. Twice the price, but worth it to me. If you can't afford more than $100... yeah, the M97.


shane

 

[ChrisWiggles]

Shane, I'm using the m97xe as well, and considered the 440 but decided to go the cheaper route, and also because of comments that the 440 was a little bright which was a concern for me. Can you comment on differences there, because I know the 97 has a reputation for being a little bit rolled off in comparison. I've been very happy with the 97, btw.

 

[A9X-308]



Quote:
Originally Posted by shane55 /forum/post/18259393


Not a bad choice. I had one for a long time (still have it, actually). After testing several I went with the AT-440MLa

http://www.lpgear.com/Merchant2/merc...tegory_Code=A3


It's a really amazing tracker and very quick.

It consistently gets good reports so it would be worth considering if I were looking for another cart.

Quote:
Originally Posted by shane55 /forum/post/18259393


It would be very good for the Rock. Twice the price, but worth it to me. If you can't afford more than $100... yeah, the M97.


shane

Tracking ability is more than excellent, when you have one of these. Silent too.

I have carts coming out my ears it seems; a couple of Deccas (one Garrotted), several Denon 103, a DL160, a Garrott P77, some WIN strain gauges and several others I've forgotten.


I will be getting an M97xE soon as I have V15VxMR with a broken cantilever and I believe I can use the M97 stylus until I get the V15 down to Garrott Bros. The whole cart is only a few $ more than the replacement stylus, and later I can use it on it's own as a whole unit. I would like a nice SME Series III arm for it though.

The Rock has the DL160 in the Excaliber arm ATM, but the Rock motor will be going into storage as I plan on using the Excaliber and my SME 300 (all black 309 as sold on the SME10 TT) arm on the SP10 motor unit once finished. The 3009 and 3012 will go on the Garrard and the two SAEC arms on the DP75 for my bedroom. What can I say, I like TT's and I've been collecting these bits slowly for 3 decades.

 

[dknightd]



Quote:
Originally Posted by A9X-308 /forum/post/18259644

What is that thing? Doesn't it add extra friction and mess with tracking force?


To the OP - I'd ditch the DJ cartridge (especially if was one designed for scratching).


The Shure or AT described above would both likely be an upgrade, and are reasonably priced. Could you get better - probably yes - but cartridges are sort of like speakers (but on the other end) so personal preference really matters - these days there are not many places you can listen to cartridges.


FWIW I use a sumiko blue point. Don't know how that would work with your arm. I don't use records much any more but if it wore out I'd probably just buy the updated version.

 

[Magnefied]

On a Technics 1200 if you want to maintain a retro look the Shure is a great choice at a reasonable price, also the Stanton 681 or Grado's in a moving magnet design. If you're wiling to deal with a moving coil, the Sumiko Blue Point Special is nice but I'm not sure it would be a good match for that Technics arm and likely would not track as well as the Shure.

 

[A9X-308]



Quote:
Originally Posted by dknightd /forum/post/18260365


What is that thing? Doesn't it add extra friction and mess with tracking force?

It's a tonearm damper - the only one that applies the damping where it works best, as close to the cart as possible. Doesn't affect downforce or seem to add drag. All the carts I've tried in it including the Deccas, which can be a handful for most arms, track smoothly and it seems to (subjectively) make the background quieter.


Apologies for the verbosity last night; a Mr Beam came to visit and he brings out the tendency, plus I see the CNC guy in a few days (organised yesterday) to get the quote and details for the plinths for the TT's, bringing them a step closer to completion.

 

[shane55]



Quote:
Originally Posted by ChrisWiggles /forum/post/18259474


Shane, I'm using the m97xe as well, and considered the 440 but decided to go the cheaper route, and also because of comments that the 440 was a little bright which was a concern for me. Can you comment on differences there, because I know the 97 has a reputation for being a little bit rolled off in comparison. I've been very happy with the 97, btw.

"...a bit rolled off..." is a good way to put it.

I really liked the m97 until I heard the Benz and the AT. They both were far more open and airy. My choice would have been the Benz if it tracked as well as the AT on my arm, mainly because the Benz doesn't exhibit the severe brightness of the AT. That said... I like 'em bright. The AT is the tiniest bit over the top, but it's tolerable to me and it tracks like a demon!


The AT works especially well on older rock albums that have lost their top end to wear.

The Benz is better for Classical and some jazz.


The Shure is a very good, all around cart, but to my ears is a bit dull and closed-in.


If extreme brightness bothers you... avoid the AT.

shane

 

[lexiconthx]



Quote:
Originally Posted by shane55 /forum/post/18264305


"...a bit rolled off..." is a good way to put it.

I really liked the m97 until I heard the Benz and the AT. They both were far more open and airy. My choice would have been the Benz if it tracked as well as the AT on my arm, mainly because the Benz doesn't exhibit the severe brightness of the AT. That said... I like 'em bright. The AT is the tiniest bit over the top, but it's tolerable to me and it tracks like a demon!


The AT works especially well on older rock albums that have lost their top end to wear.

The Benz is better for Classical and some jazz.


The Shure is a very good, all around cart, but to my ears is a bit dull and closed-in.


If extreme brightness bothers you... avoid the AT.

shane

Looking online I can get both the AT and the shure for around the same price... Has anyone used either of these on a 1200? Which is more accurate? I'm running fairly bright speakers also (a set of b&w 705's with sub). The ZU's also looked really nice but when I checked there website they all seem sold out. I'm looking for something accurate and basically budgeted up to $400 for the project. Has anyone used any of the ortofon carts? How about the Sumiko Blue Point Special Evo III?

 

[ppomerantz]



Quote:
Originally Posted by lexiconthx /forum/post/18270332


Looking online I can get both the AT and the shure for around the same price... Has anyone used either of these on a 1200? Which is more accurate? I'm running fairly bright speakers also (a set of b&w 705's with sub). The ZU's also looked really nice but when I checked there website they all seem sold out. I'm looking for something accurate and basically budgeted up to $400 for the project. Has anyone used any of the ortofon carts? How about the Sumiko Blue Point Special Evo III?

I suggest you speak to Kevin at KABUSA or at least read all the info on his website pertaining to the 1200. He is considered an expert re: the SL1200 for use as an Audiophile table. He sells 3 different cartridges which he claims are well suited for the 1200. I've bought some stuff off of him and he's easy to deal with.

 

[JimboG]

The Denon DL-103 is hard to beat for an entry level moving coil cartridge. You would need an MC-capable phono section though. The high output Denon DL-110 and DL-160 should work with most any moving magnet phono section.


The Shure and AT referenced above are quite solid. You could even try a Grado Black for about $60. All of the basic Grados have the same median specs, just tighter tolerances for their higher cost cartridges. If quality assurance is halfway decent at the Grado plant, you may get a higher grade cartridge sold as a Black just because they only allow X% of their carts to be labeled as the pricier product.