Get Your Cartridges Out For The Lads 2021

[Opti-cal]

Nice work Chris. Was it originally a jewellery case?

Thanks Barry,

indeed it was. I guess it was always destined to contain diamonds of a certain nature!

[Opti-cal]

Shure M55e with Jico stylus "ploughing" the vinyl

[Jimbo]

Is that on the Audio Technica LP5 chris?

[Opti-cal]

Is that on the Audio Technica LP5 chris?

Certainly is Jim. It's my go to TT (The LP12 remains for more specialist employment) but like the Shure, I can't really fault it. Speed is spot on and I can swap carts instantly for proper back to back testing. Connected to my pretty decent tube phono stage its cheap only in price. I've heard (and had) TT's three times the price that can't keep up. My only criticism (and its actually quite a big one) would be the lack of VTA adjustment. The tonearm is fixed unfortunately. Easily rectified with a cork mat on top of the standard rubber one (doesn't introduce much extra drag from the weight as its very light) and I also use shims with most cartridges too. Weird design, as with the standard cartridge (At95ex) in place the VTA is literally 10mm out in height. Crazy.

I've actually contemplated going to town on it and mounting a Jelco/SME type but apart from the lack of adjustment there's nothing wrong with this arm, so decided to keep it as it is.

The motor/platter and plinth are great for the money.

[Jimbo]

Certainly is Jim. It's my go to TT (The LP12 remains for more specialist employment) but like the Shure, I can't really fault it. Speed is spot on and I can swap carts instantly for proper back to back testing. Connected to my pretty decent tube phono stage its cheap only in price. I've heard (and had) TT's three times the price that can't keep up. My only criticism (and its actually quite a big one) would be the lack of VTA adjustment. The tonearm is fixed unfortunately. Easily rectified with a cork mat on top of the standard rubber one (doesn't introduce much extra drag from the weight as its very light) and I also use shims with most cartridges too. Weird design, as with the standard cartridge (At95ex) in place the VTA is literally 10mm out in height. Crazy.

I've actually contemplated going to town on it and mounting a Jelco/SME type but apart from the lack of adjustment there's nothing wrong with this arm, so decided to keep it as it is.

The motor/platter and plinth are great for the money.

I have always wanted a second turntable or should I say 3rd as I already own a VPI Scout 1.1 (belter) and a Lenco GL75 (Idler) so a Direct Drive would be my next prefered option as I believe it would be great for certain types of music . I have been looking at the Audio Technica DD turntables but also considered the Technics Sl1200 or SL1500 although these re far more expensive. Would be interesting to know how the Audio Technica turntables compare to the Technics?

[Opti-cal]

I have always wanted a second turntable or should I say 3rd as I already own a VPI Scout 1.1 (belter) and a Lenco GL75 (Idler) so a Direct Drive would be my next prefered option as I believe it would be great for certain types of music . I have been looking at the Audio Technica DD turntables but also considered the Technics Sl1200 or SL1500 although these re far more expensive. Would be interesting to know how the Audio Technica turntables compare to the Technics?

The Techies (if setup correctly and arm bearing not being worn on 2nd hand ones etc) will sound better. I had a pair of mint 1210's with a lot of goodies (internally grounded/rewired etc), still on the standard technics arm and they do sound great. A lot of that comes from the solidarity of the plinth and just how stable everything is though. This was before I really got into using good carts but even with Ortofon concorde's (classic DJ cart) they sounded nice. Also used some Shure Whitelabels and even stuck an AT95e on one to great effect. The LP5 is not far off though. With a good cart setup correctly (of course) you'r be hard to pressed in a comparison, at least with budget-mid price stuff. I would surmise the better the cart you put on, the more the techies would pull ahead in sonic qualities.

I'd always stick with the older model 1200's/1210's rather than the 1500's (new or old) as in my experience they are just better built. The new 1500 looks a little wimpy in comparison.

If build quality/feel (ergonomics)/upgrade path are high on the list of priorities the techies are head an shoulders above the LP5 (and so they should be for their prices). But, if comparing the sonics of the standard unit vs the standard unit there's probably not a huge amount in it.

The LP5 is a budget marvel, if a little 'plasticky' but sounds great. The techies are a more serious turntable. As you are used to quality with the VPI and the Lenco, a lightly (or heavily) modified Techie would seem to fit in well.

However if you want a 'chuck a record on' TT which sounds good and doesn't cost much, you can't really beat the LP5.

If I had the money a well looked after 1210 with some choice mods would be the one.

[Jimbo]

Thanks for your experienced advice there Chris and your conclusion was what I expected to be honest. Plenty of 1210s seem to come up over the years so I may well dive in if I see something at the right price/condition.

Of course there are other options from the Japanese manufacturers such as Pioneer , JVC , Sansui and Denon but I am always wary of 40 year old electronics as they have a tendency to go Kaput!

[Opti-cal]

Technics 270c (I have a few!) original NOS stylus and alloy headshell.

[zimbo]

new to the collection.....



best regards
Sascha

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