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Life After Technics SL1200 Mk5

Hi All,

i am starting the hunt for a new turntable and what to hear from past owners of Technics TT's.

My first real turntable was a Luxman PD272 with a Shure V15 Type IV cartridge, both of which I wore out. Given it was my formative years, I loved that set-up. I acquired my Technics 1200 Mk5 about ten years ago after a long journey down the digital fork in the road. 

Due to some technical furniture issues and WAF, I had to set the TT aside, again. I have rolled through various digital gear and currently use a PS Audio PWT and Theta ProBasic III R2R ladder DAC.

Anyway...I set up the Technics again with an AT150 MLX cartridge and....lo and behold...the digital setup, while not possessing that vinyl sound, does sound better than the SL1200 and AT150.

I did not want to believe this, so I reinstalled the cartridge and realigned the table. Same resort. Basically, the sound is a bit tilted to the treble, the bass is a bit thin compared to my digital gear, and the overall sound seems lean.I have fiddled with cartridge tracking and tonearm balance with no improvement.

So what is next? Is it I do not like the AT cartridge? Has my digital gear outgrown my TT?

That is why I want to learn about the experiences of those of you that moved to a different turntable from Technics. What Technics table did you have and what cartridge? What new turntable and cartridge replaced your Technics setup? How did the sound improve? I would appreciate any and all advice!

Thanks for listening,

Dsper


dsper

Showing 1 response by mijostyn

mijostyn's avatar
mijostyn
8,226 posts
 
dsper, you are not alone. Your problem now is that you are using the digital as a reference. Before you had none. Ignorance is bliss. 
If you have a treasured collection of LPs and want to hear them in all their glory then you will have to look for a turntable/arm combination that does not impinge or allow impingement on the cartridge's ability to do it's job.
It has to isolate the cartridge from the environment and itself or you will be hearing all sorts of vibration that has nothing to do with music. IMHO you would be best served by a belt driven turntable with an isolating suspension. The Sota Sapphire is a standout. There are any number of fine arms that will work. You want the motor as far away from the cartridge as you can get it. Putting it right under the cartridge has to be one of the silliest concepts man has yet to come up with only eclipsed by the flying aircraft carrier. 
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