Best cartridge for modded Technics 1200

A modded Denon 103 works nice as well but it seems like the Ortofon 2M Black matches the table as if it were made for it. I also had the 2M on my modded NAD533[P2} and it liked the RB arm as well. Give it 25 hours to break-in and you will do one of those "not looking back" things.

The only worry in buying used is you are not sure of the hours on the stylus, but it is still a good way to test drive.

Once you find something you love you can replace it with a nice new one when the time to replace the old one arrives. problem is, is that you will probably want something different ...

Tigerwoodkhorns,

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.

I really like the DL160. The slightly warm midrange, energetic expanse of the display, definition/detail, topend extension. But the stylus is it's weak spot even though it is supposed to be a finely made elliptical. I plan on getting it retipped with a fine line stylus which should rid it of all distortion, improve already good tracking, and finally rid it of all sibilance.

And why should you spend $250 for a retip on a %150-180 cartridge? Because it is a sound that is worthy aside from it's price.

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.

Tvad, I thought you meanty you were using the Technics jig. That poor molded thing. I am willing to humble down and try setting up that 160 again. I may gain something by trying it .... but I doubt it. ;-)

Johnnyb53, I know that the Technics likes a more energetic cartridge. I just tried the Benz-Micro MC20E2-L and even using a SUT it was a little steely. But then again it had an elliptical stylus. With what you say about the AT440MLa I think I really might be on the right track with retipping the 160 with a fine line.