Upgrading Technics 1200 Tonearm under $1000

My idea is to keep the stock arm and concentrate on cartridge!
Or to sell this turntable and to buy SP-10 mkII with unlimited choice of tonearms (except for ’9 inch arms).

With SL1200 mkII your choice is very limited because of the pivot to spindle distance, forget about Rega tonearm. If you can find used Audiomods try this, but there are some nice vintage Japanese tonearms that you simply can’t use on SL1200 mkII.

Detachable headshell is amazing option! Stock arm is so easy to adjust quickly when you swap carts/shells. 

You should try some killer vintage MM on this arm, something like Grace LEVEL II and SAEC SS-300 mat on Technics platter.  

You you have no interest in different cartridges and willing to upgrade SL1200mk2 then extrrnal power supply is what you can do before upgrading the arm. Also Isonoe feet (available in silver or black).


Look for Jelco tonearm, it’s popular upgrade and armboards available. 

easiest tonearm upgrade would be SL1200MK4 titanium arm

This is very rare old model from the 90s for domestic Japanese market, the price is insane and tonearm is not easy to find separately. The OP already rewired his tonearm, so the only difference between mk2 and mk4 is the armrube (aluminum vs. titanium).

I remember the price for new Jelco tonearm on ebay was just about $450-550 in 2019, I think it’s a good alternative to the stock arm even if the price was increased. This is a perfect match for Technics and better than Rega tonearm.

@andysf


1200G turntable cost $3500 and prople who replace the arm looking for $5000 tonearms normally. The stock magnesium tonearm is great on 1200G.

But OP’s mk2 turntable cost $400 (in Japan they cost $150 used today) and he willing to buy a new tonearm under $1000