Recommendation for Cartridge for Technics SL-1200G?


Hello everyone,
Looking for some recommendations for a cartridge for the Technics SL-1200G. Turntable paired with integrated amplifier Marantz PM-KI-PEARL. I am currently thinking about buying the Audio Technica AT-ART9. Any advice would be appreciated. There is a link for Marantz specifications: https://www.us.marantz.com/DocumentMaster/US/PM-KI-PEARL_UN_EN.pdf (pg. 30).

Thank you

blazen
Michael Fremer said of the 1200G...

In case you were wondering if the arm was tailored for high compliance moving magnet cartridges, I can tell you that I used, among other cartridges, the Lyra Etna SL and when I measured the horizontal and vertical resonant frequencies using the Hi-Fi News test record, both measured between 8Hz-and 9Hz, which means yes, you can use the SL-1200G with your favorite low-medium compliance moving coil cartridges.
Read more at https://www.analogplanet.com/content/technics-direct-drive-sl-1200g-turntable#rGtlT7r6JxDUZRMg.99




To calculate what is best there are two resources I have been using. First the Ortofon guide and chart here...
https://www.ortofon.com/support/support-hifi/resonance-frequency

The shows that resonant frequency should be between 7-12Hz is best idea being somewhere is the middle of this range.

For the Technics with an arm mass of 12g +a headshell which is likely to be 7-10g the arm mass will be in the range 19-22g 

This means that Compliance rating of 10, 15 and 20 are best suited (low to medium) 25 is marginal.


This calculator enables precise values of resonant frequency... http://www.resfreq.com/resonancecalculator.html

For this the target extremes are
19g - 7Hz - 27CU
22g - 12 Hz - 8CU

So this shows that between 8CU and 27CU depending on precise cartridge weight.
The optimum probably is 9-10Hz
19g at 9Hz gives 16.5 CU
22g at 10Hz gives 11.5 CU

Two real world example

Soundsmith Zephyr Star MMIC 
Compliance 10 µm/mN
weight 12.2g
On the Technics arm this gives a resonant frequency of 10.2Hz

A 2g heavier head shell would give 9.8Hz


Dynavector 10x5
Compliance 12, Wight 7.3g
On the Technics arm this gives a resonant frequency of 10.46Hz 

Both are good matches!


Many SL-1200G owners are using the ART9 with outstanding results, me included.  When I plug the numbers in to the Calculator I get a value of 8Hz.  Close enough.
It is my understanding is the effective mass for the SL--1200G tonearm is 12g with headshell included.   In addition, these calculators that are available online are strictly approximations at best.  It is always best to measure the tonearm/cartridge resonance using proven methods.