MC Cartridge Recommendations For Technics SL1200GR

[Phil Bishop]

Hi Chaps,

I have a lovely new Technics SL1200GR turntable and am looking at MC cartridge recommendations for it. I'm currently using a Nagaoka MP-110 which sounds wonderful but as I have a nice SUT to play around with I'd like to think about a MC cartridge.

The sort of performance I am looking for is more lively and punchy than refined. I would like that boogie factor if possible that makes vinyl an enjoyable experience and is something the Technics excels at.

I have come across two recommendations to date.

The first is the good old Denon 103/103R. I'm confused about this cartridge. Some seem to say it is perfect for the Techie but then there's all the compliance mis-match stuff, adding weight, etc.

The second is the Audio Technica AT33EV/AT33PTG. I don't know much about this but my experience with AT cartridges to date has been excellent.

Any advice appreciated - I'm sticking with the stock arm BTW.

Cheers

Phil

[Bigman80]

Kontrapunkt b *****
ATART 7 *****
AT33PTGII ****
ZYX R100 ****

[Jason P]

Biased ('scuse the pun) but I think the 33PTG is one of the best MCs around for the money. Worked a charm on my modded SL1200 stock arm (fluid damper, Sumiko HS and heavier counterweight). Tracks like a demon - very little phases it. Superb filigree detail and a wide soundstage. Good bass too, and without the slight excitable quality of the OC9.

The DL103 will need extra mass, and that might be a problem with the stock arm in terms of balance. I'm not sure if the eff.mass. figure for the 1200G is the same as the 1200, i suspect it might be slightly in the 103's favour but mass at the headshell is very likely. When set up well they can be a lot of fun though, and the higher variants (103R etc.) are worth considering.

[bob4333]

Biased ('scuse the pun) but I think the 33PTG is one of the best MCs around for the money.............. Tracks like a demon - very little phases it. Superb filigree detail and a wide soundstage. Good bass too, and without the slight excitable quality of the OC9.

Totally support this.

Others will need to comment on it's match for your arm but the 33 PTG II is just as described above. I have both the 33 and the OC9. Both are good but the 33 has the edge in delivering a shimmering, weighty performance without unpleasant side effects.

It's beaten several carts I've had at 2 or 3 times the price and once run in (30 hours min) it'll boogie all night long.

[chris@panteg]

Totally support this.

Others will need to comment on it's match for your arm but the 33 PTG II is just as described above. I have both the 33 and the OC9. Both are good but the 33 has the edge in delivering a shimmering, weighty performance without unpleasant side effects.

It's beaten several carts I've had at 2 or 3 times the price and once run in (30 hours min) it'll boogie all night long.

I have the OC9 MLII, do you find it a bit too bright and a touch lean?

[Stratmangler]

Hana SH.
Make life easy by going for something with a healthy output to start with.

[chris@panteg]

Hana SH.
Make life easy by going for something with a healthy output to start with.

Hi Chris
I intend to get the Hana SL fairly soon.

[bob4333]

Chris, your description nicely sums up my findings with the OC9 ML II, but at the time I was using it with an LP12 / Ittok II and a TriChord Diablo phono stage.

I later replaced the Linn with a Gyrodec / Technoarm A and the result wasn't a great deal different. A bit thin, no involvement or excitement and certainly not a result that had me coming back for more. It felt as if it was just going through the motions and seemed to lack "body".

I changed the Diablo to an Icon Audio PS 1 (the original, early version) and the difference was night and day. All of the good things the OC9 MLII was famous for started to come through. Next change was to a Michell Orbe SE / SME IV and this continued the good work. I had the chance of an ICON PS3 about 6 months later and went for it. Not a night and day change this time (using the OC9) but a sweeter top end response and maybe a little more attack elsewhere.

All of this makes me seem like an uncontrollable box swapper but this took place over about 15 years. Every piece of kit mentioned is really well respected and extremely capable in it's own right and I'm not knocking any of it. My only conclusion is that you can't just throw these things together and expect them to give of their best. Selective partnering is paramount.

Anyway, I rate the OC9 highly enough to have kept it rather than selling it on. I also have a lot of respect and confidence in AT cartridges generally, but perhaps they are a bit selective in who they like to play with. I think some of their more upmarket carts are appealing and I'll probably give one a go at some point, but usual rules apply.

[chris@panteg]

Chris, your description nicely sums up my findings with the OC9 ML II, but at the time I was using it with an LP12 / Ittok II and a TriChord Diablo phono stage.

I later replaced the Linn with a Gyrodec / Technoarm A and the result wasn't a great deal different. A bit thin, no involvement or excitement and certainly not a result that had me coming back for more. It felt as if it was just going through the motions and seemed to lack "body".

I changed the Diablo to an Icon Audio PS 1 (the original, early version) and the difference was night and day. All of the good things the OC9 MLII was famous for started to come through. Next change was to a Michell Orbe SE / SME IV and this continued the good work. I had the chance of an ICON PS3 about 6 months later and went for it. Not a night and day change this time (using the OC9) but a sweeter top end response and maybe a little more attack elsewhere.

All of this makes me seem like an uncontrollable box swapper but this took place over about 15 years. Every piece of kit mentioned is really well respected and extremely capable in it's own right and I'm not knocking any of it. My only conclusion is that you can't just throw these things together and expect them to give of their best. Selective partnering is paramount.

Anyway, I rate the OC9 highly enough to have kept it rather than selling it on. I also have a lot of respect and confidence in AT cartridges generally, but perhaps they are a bit selective in who they like to play with. I think some of their more upmarket carts are appealing and I'll probably give one a go at some point, but usual rules apply.

Thanks Bob, very interesting and good advice, you know I had the Trichord Diablo with the NCPSU, it never really blew my skirt up to be honest, impressive but very matter of fact.
I'm not going to be too critical of the oc9, for the money £310 that I paid it's excellent and I will keep it, I intend to get a valve phono stage this year along with another Triode amplifier.

I've decided my next cartridge will be a Hana SL

[Phil Bishop]

Thanks Guys, things are stacking up in favour of the 33PTG. I have a heavier headshell and the additional counterweight. I used to have a KAB damper but sold it.