Best cartridge for modded Technics 1200

I have a DL-160 on the SL1200 and can't get rid of sibilance which does not show up on finer styluses that are on the Ortofon 2M Black and retipped Denon DL103.
Gadfly (Threads | Answers)

I will lay odds this is due to cartridge set-up rather than the cart, stylus or phono, and it's not limited to your set-up, but to all those discussed.

Why do I say this? Because I have had marginal sibilance issues as well, and with several carts including Benz Ace (marginally problematic), AT150MLX (most problematic), Dynavector XX2 MK2 (least problematic).

I solved the problem this weekend, and the solution was the MintLP Best Tractor protractor. My cartridge set-up was not properly dialed in, despite using a Technics specific protractor. The MintLP demonstrated this very quickly.

The MintLP Best Tractor, if properly used, will eradicate sibilance caused by microscopic mistracking. It will be a revelation to you if you follow the alignment procedure according to the instructions.

IMO, it is a more valuable mod/tweak than any of those offered by KAB, which are excellent but should come after a proper cartridge set-up (and no, the Technics jig is not sufficient because it does not help align the cart).

Indispensable. I can't recommend the MintLP Best Tractor highly enough.

st up on the 160. I don't know. I've had this issue with this cart across two different tables. It really shows up in comparison to the other cartridges. On it's own I wouldn't have a big deal about it.

It's not a killer amount of sibilance, I suppose, but it really really bugs you when you have two carts that don't do it at all.

So it's not the phono stage or setup. It's the cart. But I have been poking around reading about the fluid damper and someone says it reduces sibilance on a cart that he was using. I plan on getting that damper so I will hold onto the 160 and see if it makes a difference.

I quote TVAD: "My cartridge set-up was not properly dialed in, despite using a Technics specific protractor." Now using that protractor is a big nono. I am using KWILLIS' homemade arc protractor and it is easy to align a cart with it. Check out KWILLIS over at the Vinyl Asylum to get one.

Dude. NEVER use that Technics protractor.

Johnnyb53, I heard those AT carts are peaky, bright. You should check out the Ortofon 2M's. I have the 2M Black and I love it.

I was using the Baerwald Arc Protractor specific to the Technics SL12xx, downloaded from VinylEngine.com, and accurately sized.

Now, admittedly, I was perhaps not using it accurately. I'm not criticizing the protractor, but I am promoting the benefits of the design and effectiveness of the MintLP Best Tractor, and it's accompanying excellent instructions. The MintLP protractor is designed using a printed guide on a mirror that enables the accuracy of one's cartridge alignment to be well beyond what is possible using a protractor printed on card stock.

The MintLP was a revelation to me, as it has it been for several other Audiogon members who have discussed the protractor in other threads.

Also, please understand that I am not dismissing the quality of one cart over another. However, I am making a point that some problems mentioned in these threads that are attributed to carts are clearly attributable to set-up rather than the carts.

I suspect many readers who read my post will dismiss the advice about the MintLP. It's natural for each of us to assume we are doing everything correctly, and that we can be taught nothing.

Give the MintLP Best Tractor a try, or not.

Have fun!

I'm in the same boat having just purchased here a SL1200 with the KAB tonearm damper. I like what I've read about the Audio-Technica AT150mlx in terms of price/performance and output (not wanting the expense of a step-up) and am leading in that direction.

But I'm curious, has anyone had any experience with the Stanton 890LE that KAB is now selling?? It's less expensive than his S30 (which I've heard is not as good as the AT150) but I like the high output (I'm running a passive preamp) and am wondering how good it might be.

07-20-08: Gadfly
Johnnyb53, I heard those AT carts are peaky, bright. You should check out the Ortofon 2M's. I have the 2M Black and I love it.

Mine isn't peaky. I have no tolerance for peaky, and even if I did, my wife would let me know. In fact, I've always been able to gauge whether the treble is dialed in by how my family behaves when the music is playing. If the treble has glare or is edgy, they get loud and irritable. When it's right, they calm down. I read a review in Sensible Sound that observed that the plastic-bodied AT440MLa had an upper midrange peak, but not the AT150MLX, which the reviewer felt was very neutral and linear, but had plenty of dynamics, trackability, and separation.

Actually, in spite of its trackability, linearity, and higher level of detail over my DL-160, I'd describe the sound of my AT150MLX as lush. Lush in the sense that the details enrich the musical picture rather than distract the listener from the music. My current setup conveys a connection to the music as I've never had before in my home system.