TT/ cartridge recommendations $1000

Modified Technics SL-1200MK2 W/fluid damper...email me if u want details. Totally high end w/in budget.

The modified 1200 is unrivaled in its price class. It's reliable, musical, has a service manual, parts and will handle low output MC cartridges. Totally non-Voodoo. Will last a lifetime...I bought it as my last TT. It's used by serious audiophiles all over the world. Right now about a thousand are made each month. Unrivaled production numbers in the analog world (therefore its high performance/price ratio). Goto www.kabusa.com/

Tommy, I gave this issue some serious thought. I also looked at the MMF-5, Rega P/3, Sumiko Projects and the Sota Comet. My final choices came down to the Sota Comet or the Technics. Musicality was only one of the many variables involved in my decision. I know the tonearm is one of its musically weak points. Service life, parts availability, reliability and 'fun to use factor' influenced my choice. The 1200 is a fun TT. Girl friendly, too! ¿Comprende?

I just got a used marble cutting board at an estate sale for $15. It is over 5/8" thick. I'll put a bicycle tube under it and my Technics will be isolated (another musically weak point). There's an audiophile from Italy that is saying his modified 1200 rivals his SME setup. Some serious words...

Right now my 1200 beats my Cambridge D300-SE CDP. I'm only using a $49.95 Grado Presige Blue...just wait till I get a MC cartridge and the tonearm damper...

Regards,

Agreed, but I wanted new and that IRS refund was itching in my pocket!

Oh, yeah...impressive...but it's still belt drive. I love Quartz DDs...

Back to sound, I don't want anymore an endless qwest for sound quality. Just want to recreate the 'spirit of the music' in a little apartment living room. My humble JMlab Tantal 509s are looking and sounding good on top of the Lovan Ballet III stands, I'll have my Proton pre and dual mono amp serviced and later buy a high end preamp. Not bad for what I'm spending. No need to spend more, either.

If you want to get into used stuff, I bought a Proton 600T Preamp/Video Tuner, its remote and the model 690 decoder for $40 at a pawn shop! Also a mint Audio Control 520 EQ for $20. I am going to have audio and video in the same room, but as separate systems. Got to stay realistic. That deal will never happen again...so setting up systems based on used prices is not fair. I could get an Oracle from a crackhead for $20 if I'm really patient..

Get my point of view?

PSYCHIC-animal, that is, Tommy...

Remember, compare oranges to oranges, apples to apples. I paid $450 + tax for my armored beast--it will outperform those TTs made in that second world country with a strange name, as well as British made particle board TTs. It will also outlive them...

It's not fair to compare the modified 1200 rig to used VPIs and the like. For what I paid I got a bad ass deck. Fun, good sounding, long lasting and rugged.

I'll let you guys how my rig ends...so far it's looking good.

There you go, Greg! In my case, the recording will still be the limiting factor, even if using a modified 1200...therefore, I chose the convenience and reliability of Quartz Lock Direct Drive.

Never, Sedond...my rig is sounding better and better. Bill of GTT Audio says it will rival $10K systems. I can see that happening now...If I was into archival recording I'd get an Oracle, no doubt in my mind. But for spinning vinyl, the 1200. I am also buying a parametric EQ for my rig. Yeah.

We blew the tonearm rewiring...had to order new assembly. Oh, well, lesson learned...don't f*** with it. Not worth it.

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