Is the Technics SL-1200mkII a good TT to enter the world of vinyl?

audiogoober · « **Reply #20 on:** 18 Jan 2013, 09:42 pm »

Quote from: Airborn on 18 Jan 2013, 08:58 pm

Yes, you should get the Technics at that price. Then you should dump the Stanton and add one of these carts:
Denon dl-110

AT 440 MLa

You will need a phonostage. Vista is good; so is a Cambridge Audio 640P. Make sure to play clean records, it makes a huge difference. Good luck!

Would I need a MM or MC phonostage for these cartridges? The vista phonostage comes in either MM or MC versions and I want to be sure to get the correct one! Thanks!

Airborn · « **Reply #21 on:** 18 Jan 2013, 09:52 pm »

You should get the MM. Most affordable entry level carts are going to be MM or high output MC. The Denon dl-110 is high output MC and should be used through a MM phonostage. The AT-440 MLa is MM. There are of course many other good cartridges, but these two are relatively affordable carts that I have had success with on a Technics TT.

audiogoober · « **Reply #22 on:** 18 Jan 2013, 09:54 pm »

Quote from: Airborn on 18 Jan 2013, 09:52 pm

You should get the MM. Most affordable entry level carts are going to be MM or high output MC. The Denon dl-110 is high output MC and should be used through a MM phonostage. The AT-440 MLa is MM. There are of course many other good cartridges, but these two are relatively affordable carts that I have had success with on a Technics TT.

Roger that! Thanks Airborn!

WireNut · « **Reply #23 on:** 18 Jan 2013, 11:38 pm »

Quote from: audiogoober on 18 Jan 2013, 09:19 pm

The more I read about MM and MC phonostages....the more confusing it is. I see this stands for "Moving Magnet" and "Moving Coil"
The Vista is available in either MC or MM versions. Does this mean I will need a MC cartridge if I choose the MC version phonostage? Which is better?

AudioGoober,

I'm in the same boat as you are. Until I finally decide on a phono pre and a better cartridge I picked up a
ART DJPRE II Phono Preamplifier for $48.00 to get me up and running. It's working great.
Amazon is selling one for $39.00.

http://www.amazon.com/ART-II-Preamplifier-Outputs-Switchable/dp/B000AJR482

whell · « **Reply #24 on:** 19 Jan 2013, 01:29 am »

Go for the Technics, and just use it as is for a while - assuming the needle on that Stanton is still in good shape. The Stanton 68x series is one of my favorite raesonably priced cartridges. It's actully a moving iron design, not moving magnet. There are also a wide range of replacement styli for it, at a range of prices, if the stylus needs to be replaced. It's also a fine match for the Technics tonearm.

Once you decide whether or not you like spinning vinyl, then start thinking about modifying / upgrading the Technics. Vinyl is about listiening to music, but it's also a different approach to music reproduction. It's as much an art as a science, as well as requiring patience and experience. Not everyone learns to appreciate it. But for those that do, there are ample rewards.

jarcher · « **Reply #25 on:** 19 Jan 2013, 01:41 am »

Others have already chimed in on the need for a phone preamp, but as for budget phono preamp suggestions, aside from the previously mentioned Cambridge 651P, another two that are well regarded at the $200 & below range are the Music Fidelity V-LPS and the Parasound Zphono. All of these do both MM & MC, so don't have to fret about that. If you search around, you can probably find a demo / clearance or used for even less.

audiogoober · « **Reply #26 on:** 19 Jan 2013, 01:43 pm »

whell and jarcher:

Thank You Both! More great info....appreciated very much. I can't wait to try vinyl!

audiogoober · « **Reply #27 on:** 20 Jan 2013, 12:55 am »

I could also go with a local Denon DP-62L in mint condition for just a little more money.

Which is the better TT overall?

Thanks!

jarcher · « **Reply #28 on:** 20 Jan 2013, 01:48 am »

Probably not a big difference between the two, but I would probably go for the Denon (or the previously mentioned Project Debut Carbon).

MaxCast · « **Reply #29 on:** 20 Jan 2013, 02:10 am »

Is that Denon the one with a funky arm? I have read parts and repair may be an issue.

audiogoober · « **Reply #30 on:** 20 Jan 2013, 02:19 am »

Quote from: MaxCast on 20 Jan 2013, 02:10 am

Is that Denon the one with a funky arm? I have read parts and repair may be an issue.

It has a "S" type arm on it now, and comes with the straight Denon arm as well. Both are original and were supplied by Denon with the DP-62L. Photos of the S type arm below.

WireNut · « **Reply #31 on:** 20 Jan 2013, 03:01 am »

Yum, I'm liking that.

What's the cost, with what cart, you picked it up for?
Like the center weight.

audiogoober · « **Reply #32 on:** 20 Jan 2013, 03:22 am »

Quote from: WireNut on 20 Jan 2013, 03:01 am

Yum, I'm liking that.
What's the cost, with what cart, you picked it up for?
Like the center weight.

Yeah I like it too! Comes with 2 arms and a AT cart but I'm not sure which one. Asking price is $650 but negotiable. I'm going to audition it in the morning. It's way more than I wanted to spend on a first TT but it really caught my eye and I think it would look much better with my system - but I know looks aren't everything. One person selling another SL-1200mkII said the denon would be a smarter move so it got me thinking?? A tough decision!

WireNut · « **Reply #33 on:** 20 Jan 2013, 03:35 am »

Quote from: audiogoober on 20 Jan 2013, 03:22 am

Yeah I like it too! Comes with 2 arms and a AT cart but I'm not sure which one. Asking price is $650 but negotiable. I'm going to audition it in the morning. It's way more than I wanted to spend on a first TT but it really caught my eye and I think it would look much better with my system - but I know looks aren't everything. One person selling another SL-1200mkII said the denon would be a smarter move so it got me thinking?? A tough decision!

Yeah, my Technics SD-L3 TT for $50.00 on craigstlist with a installed Shure M95HE MM cart just this week.
I'm very happy.

TONEPUB · « **Reply #34 on:** 20 Jan 2013, 06:39 am »

Nice Denon there!

jarcher · « **Reply #35 on:** 20 Jan 2013, 06:48 am »

Quote from: audiogoober on 20 Jan 2013, 03:22 am

Yeah I like it too! Comes with 2 arms and a AT cart but I'm not sure which one. Asking price is $650 but negotiable. I'm going to audition it in the morning. It's way more than I wanted to spend on a first TT but it really caught my eye and I think it would look much better with my system - but I know looks aren't everything. One person selling another SL-1200mkII said the denon would be a smarter move so it got me thinking?? A tough decision!

I think the market ASKING price is more like $500 - 550 for these mint with both the arms, unless it's got a near new top of the line audio technica cartridge (ie 440ml or better). Remember also that a NEW entry level table, such as the highly regarded project debut carbon, goes for $400 already set up with a good cartridge. So unless you really love its looks or something, I'd be careful with what you pay. These are attractive but not rare tables - there are a lot of them out there for sale.

lonewolfny42 · « **Reply #36 on:** 20 Jan 2013, 07:25 am »

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l7qKeUMUQ8c

audiogoober · « **Reply #37 on:** 20 Jan 2013, 01:53 pm »

Quote from: jarcher on 20 Jan 2013, 06:48 am

I think the market ASKING price is more like $500 - 550 for these mint with both the arms, unless it's got a near new top of the line audio technica cartridge (ie 440ml or better). Remember also that a NEW entry level table, such as the highly regarded project debut carbon, goes for $400 already set up with a good cartridge. So unless you really love its looks or something, I'd be careful with what you pay. These are attractive but not rare tables - there are a lot of them out there for sale.

A lot of people tell me to stay away from the Pro-Ject turntables so I am not going that route. I missed out on the SL-1200mkII so the search is still on...I'm hunting for a good deal on another one and decided to pass on the denon DP-62L. Looks nice but seems kind of finicky...

AllynW · « **Reply #38 on:** 20 Jan 2013, 03:34 pm »

Go for it. The price is right. I purchased a 1210MK11 that was used as a Disco player. There were minor flaws but nothing a black marker pen would not cover and it needed a new dust cover. I've been using mine for 4 years and it has never given me a problem. I've upgrade the arm to a Jelco 750 which done for cartridge compliance reasons. The project required no tech skills and only required Money, a YouTube disassembly video, a phillips screwdriver and a few hours.

rbbert · « **Reply #39 on:** 20 Jan 2013, 07:38 pm »

Quote from: audiogoober on 18 Jan 2013, 08:45 pm

Yes, I will definitely listen to it first. Any other recommendations on phonostages? Do I absolutely need one? The rest of my system consists of the following:

Pass Labs XA-160.5 monoblocks
First Sound Paramount Plus mkIII tube preamp (single ended only)
AMR DP-777 DAC modified by Avatar Acoustics
Bolder modified Squeezebox Touch with Bolder deluxe power supply
Daedalus Ulysses AP speakers
Dynamic Design cables

In my experience both with the Technics SL1200 and a typical MC cartridge like the Denon 103D as well as more expensive table/arm combos, even with a very good phono preamp (in the $1000+ range) you are not likely to get sound anywhere near as good as your digital system; you will definitely notice any number of unique LP distortions, though, especially inner groove and clicks/pops etc, and until you get up to line stylus type cartridges surface noise will almost certainly be audible during quiet music passages.

I think you should be prepared to pay (used) upwards of $3000 for your phono system to have any hope of being a reasonable sounding alternative to your digital system.

YMMV.