Technics copies

**discohunter** · July 5th, 2004, 09:52 PM

Ok, so everyone is well aware of the Technics SL-1200mkII, but what are the quality of build and specs, of similar look-a-likes. Such as Citronics, Pionner Pro-DJ, Soundlab, American DJ, Omnitronic etc. Are they close to, or just as good or are you better off sticking with the original?

Am thinking of upgrading to a professional unit. I have a Technics SL-23 belt drive at the moment.

discohunter

**Bernie** · July 6th, 2004, 08:01 AM

While I've never used the clones for day in and day out use, we used to sell them at my old job in NYC.

The motors on the clones are not as robust as on the Technics. The suspension and overall build quality is not up to par. If you were to pick up both you would find the Technics weights more and doesn't have a hollow feel as it uses a heavy rubber base to cut down on feedback.

Best to save up and go for the Technics. I still have both of mine and one is from 1986 and has never given a single ounce of trouble.

**discohunter** · December 8th, 2004, 07:53 AM

happy to report that I bought a brand new Technics SL-1200MK2 and it works fine.

One or two questions though...

In the owners manual it says the stylus weight range is 0 - 2.5 yet the weight that came with it has a range of 0 - 4...did I get the wrong one??

Also, what stylus/cart would others recomend for this deck?

discohunter

**BrunoRepublic** · December 8th, 2004, 08:40 AM

Originally Written by discohunter

Also, what stylus/cart would others recomend for this deck?

That depends greatly on what you plan to use it for.

Are you DJing, or using it for pure listening?

**discohunter** · December 8th, 2004, 04:02 PM

I use it for normal listening but also use it to record vinyl to CD.

discohunter

**BrunoRepublic** · December 8th, 2004, 10:41 PM

Then you want a decent non-DJ cartridge. DJ cartridges are cheap and widely available, but there's just one problem with them: they sound terrible. They're built for ruggedness, and when it comes to a stylus, durability and sound quality are mutually exclusive. There are a huge range of cartridges out there which can be had from $10 - $10,000, and which is best depends on your tastes and budget. I like the Shure V15VxMR for it's excellent tracking abilities and flat response, but it's recently been discontinued. The Audio-Technica AT440ML is quite a bit cheaper, and still reasonably good. I'm told Denons are quite nice too, but I've never heard one myself. Grados are treasured by some and the lower-end ones can be had quite cheaply, but I've never been impressed with the tracking on them -- very important for distortion-free sound with the hot signals on many 12" singles.

**K-Bee** · December 9th, 2004, 02:01 AM

Graham,
A cartridge for $10??? I'm shocked beyond belief here :lol:
Surely this can't be good.

I've been using Goldring cartridges for my Rega turntable for 12 years now (strictly home listening too, I might add). I highly recommend those. Great quality for a reasonable price.

**BrunoRepublic** · December 9th, 2004, 11:46 AM

Originally Written by K-Bee

Graham,
A cartridge for $10??? I'm shocked beyond belief here :lol:
Surely this can't be good.

Radio Shack/Best Buy cartridges. NASTY!

I've never heard Goldrings... they're quite expensive over here. It's funny how vastly different the pricing on something so small as a phono cartridge is between regions. Shures are costly in Europe, but relatively cheap here, and vice-versa for Goldrings and most Ortofons.

**Forrrce** · December 9th, 2004, 12:14 PM

A fairly cheap DJ cartridge that I think performs reasonably well is the Shure M35-C. Its range is a little limited (natch) but its tracking is good and less susceptible to inner-groove break-up at lower tracking weights. Big 'ole tip, though - but hey, it's a DJ cart.

**K-Bee** · December 10th, 2004, 02:14 AM

Originally Written by Graham_Start

Originally Written by K-Bee

Graham,
A cartridge for $10??? I'm shocked beyond belief here :lol:
Surely this can't be good.

Radio Shack/Best Buy cartridges. NASTY!

I've never heard Goldrings... they're quite expensive over here. It's funny how vastly different the pricing on something so small as a phono cartridge is between regions. Shures are costly in Europe, but relatively cheap here, and vice-versa for Goldrings and most Ortofons.

So true Graham...prices vary a whole lot depending on where you're located. The funny thing about Ortofon is that even though it is a danish company, they're still hard to find in stores over here. In fact, cartridges alltogether has become a specialist's item in recent years and usually have to be ordered in advance. Only high end hi-fi retailers seem to have them in storage, and honestly...there aren't to many of those left :(

**Noman** · December 10th, 2004, 07:28 AM

How is The ortofon DJ cartridges compared to a "non DJ" cartr.

I need trackingweights of more than 3 gr to get my old 12" sound OK.

**BrunoRepublic** · December 10th, 2004, 08:48 AM

Originally Written by K-Bee

So true Graham...prices vary a whole lot depending on where you're located. The funny thing about Ortofon is that even though it is a danish company, they're still hard to find in stores over here. In fact, cartridges alltogether has become a specialist's item in recent years and usually have to be ordered in advance. Only high end hi-fi retailers seem to have them in storage, and honestly...there aren't to many of those left :(

Same here. I usually order cartridges over the 'net from the USA. DJ cartridges are plentiful, but listening ones found at specialist shops are either low-end junk or obnoxiously expensive high-end ones (like $2K Benz models, or high-end Grados that still can't track better than a rusty nail!)