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Cartridge upgrades for Technics SL-1200MK2?

Just bought a Technics SL-1200MK2 and paired it up with a Shure M97XE and it sounds absolutely wonderful! Just thinking ahead here .... what cartridges should I be considering down the road. I listen primarily to Classical and Jazz and my main amplification is tube- based. I prefer a warmer sound rather than a forward in-your-face presentation. I have a feeling the Technics will respond nicely to cartridge upgrades. I am shocked at how good this unit plays. Puts my former high quality belt drives to shame!

Regards,

John
jpstereo
viridian's avatar
viridian
4,184 posts
 
Johnny, +1 on the Denon cartridges, really great sounding. It is marvelous that we have such nice choices to suit our turntables and tastes so long after the long playing record was pronounced dead!
viridian's avatar
viridian
4,184 posts
 
Tvad, back again for some more, what happened did your account get reactivated?
myraj
345 posts
 
I've heard good things about the Audio Technica AT150MLX for a MM cartridge. It's a noticible step up from the AT440 mentioned above, but also at 3x the money at about $260.00. Anyone else that can confirm that with this TT?
Good Listening!
phill
38 posts
 
I'm using an Audio Technica OC-9 MKII on my 1200 MKII table and it sounds terrific! What a joke, I bought the table for $80.00, adjusted the loose play in the tonearm and it sounds better than more expensive tables that I have owned. I have also used a Denon DL-110 which sounded very good but not as nice as the OC-9. I am using a Graham Slee Era Gold MK V phono stage with cinemag transformers for the low output OC-9. I am actually content with this setup and don't feel the need to upgrade. I think this table deserves a good phono stage along with a good cartridge to hear what it can really do.
jpstereo OP
53 posts
 
Thanks so much gentlemen. Where can I pick up the Sumiko headshell?

Thanks!

John
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