Technics SL-1200, what cartridge and preamp should I get?

[Gizmo90]

Hello, I have an old Technics SL-1200 MK1 lying around. I want to spend around $150 on a cartridge and a preamp. Any suggestions?

 

[KurtW]

$150 is a pretty tight budget, but looking at Audio Advisor I see you can get a Grado Black cartridge for $40 and a Cambridge phono preamp for $90, so it can be done. I have used lots of the older lower end Grado cartridges and they are pretty decent, but I am not familair with their current line up. For a little bit more ($120) the NAD PP2 is supposed to be pretty good for the price and not much over your budget. You might check into a used phono preamp as well.

 

[fuzydice]

i believe there is a known hum issue w/ using grado carts on dd technics like the 1200 and such. correct me if I'm wrong, please.

 

[Herandu]

If it's just U$150 that you have to spare, get the TC-760LC phono pre-amp. You can pick one up for around U$70 or less delivered. Many reckon it to be just as good as the NAD. Then use the rest of the money to get a better cartridge.

 

[memepool]

Quote:

Originally Posted by fuzydice /img/forum/go_quote.gif i believe there is a known hum issue w/ using grado carts on dd technics like the 1200 and such. correct me if I'm wrong, please.

I think that's more of an issue on decks like the Pro-ject and Rega as the Technics will have better magnetic shielding. Is your Technics the MK1? The arm on this is better specified I think.
The Stanton 680 would be good or a Denon 110/160 or 103. If you shop around you can find them for 120-150 USD which is a little over your budget but these are meant to really sing on a Technics stock arm.
http://www.tnt-audio.com/sorgenti/te..._sl1200_e.html

 

[KurtW]

I use a Grado on a SL1700 DD with no hum issues.

 

[Gizmo90]

Quote:

Originally Posted by memepool /img/forum/go_quote.gif I think that's more of an issue on decks like the Pro-ject and Rega as the Technics will have better magnetic shielding. Is your Technics the MK1? The arm on this is better specified I think. The Stanton 680 would be good or a Denon 110/160 or 103. If you shop around you can find them for 120-150 USD which is a little over your budget but these are meant to really sing on a Technics stock arm. http://www.tnt-audio.com/sorgenti/te..._sl1200_e.html

Yes, It is a MK1. Thanks for the suggestions guys.