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Tell about your experience with your old Audio-Technica SL-1200s..

I've had an SL-1200 MKii for about 40 years now - did some KAB upgrades, added a Hana SL cartridge (have a Shure V15 MR Type V as well with the original and a new JICO stylus).  Was thinking about an upgrade to a GR or something else around $2k-$3k and wanted to know, if you came from an old 1200, where did you go from there?  Did you go anywhere?  What did you gain from your next turntable?  Did you keep your old one and are you currently using it as a lazy susan?   I had been considering a tonearm upgrade as a possible option but it looks as if the SME and Jelco arms are disappearing fast or are going for crazy prices.  I understand that if you've never had one, you have no basis on which to make a comparison, but if you have something that knocks your socks off that doesn't require a second mortgage, please share.
bikerbw

Showing 3 responses by big_greg

big_greg
6,721 posts
 
@bikerbw If it ain't broke, don't fix it!  Enjoy the music.  
big_greg
6,721 posts
 
I picked up a used SL-1200 MK2 some time back.  It had the KAB RCA upgrade when I bought it.  I added some MNPCTECH feet to it (very worthwhile) and the KAB fluid damper (not much difference if any) and put some FoQ tape on the tonearm (again, not a noticeable difference) and use a Funk Achromat.  I currently have a Soundsmith Aida II cartridge on a LP Gear Zupreme headshell (another very worthwhile upgrade) on it and have been using the MM input on my Herron Audio VTPH-2A phono stage. 

The "lowly" MK2 now sounds nearly as good as my much more expensive main table.  It has responded really well to the headshell/cartridge/phono stage combination I'm using.
big_greg
6,721 posts
 
My SL 1200 MK2 came with a cartridge on an Ortofon SH-4 headshell and I bought another and tried a generic headshell.  I haven't tried a Technics headshell.  I've been using the lighter (10 gram) version of the Zupreme. 

85 bucks seemed like a lot to spend for a headshell, but when I looked at it the other way and asked myself why I was connecting cartridges that cost hundreds or thousands of dollars to wires in a cheap headshell, it was worth giving one a try. 

The Zupreme is engineered for rigidity and lack of resonance (according to their marketing material) and more importantly, appears to use much higher quality wires.  I'm not a big "cable guy", but with those small signals, I believe wires do matter.  I'm not an engineer or an electrical engineer, so take all that with a grain of salt. 

My cartridges do sound better on the Zupreme headshells.  

@bikerbw I think you're referring to the Technics overhang gauge when you say "alignment tool"?  It's not that hard to hold the overhang gauge next to the cart and eyeball it and get it reasonably close. 

The only cart I still have on an Ortofon headshell is my Hana SL.  I have a Zupreme waiting for it, I just haven't changed it over yet.  I'll see how it goes and if I remember, I'll report back.  Right now I'm really enjoying the Soundsmith Aida II, so it may stay on the turntable for a while.
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