Recommend me a P Mount cartridge or stylus for my Technics SL-DL1

[craigmclellan]

Gents,

I hope you are all well.

I've stopped using my Pro-ject TT as the motor rumble is ridiculous on it. I have managed to re-acquire the Technics SL-DL1 Linear Tracking DD turntable I got from an "expert" who sold it to me with a really poor quality stylus installed, back when I didn't know any better. It plays perfectly and the sound is OK, but the top end is over pronounced; it gives me listening fatigue which even my Blu-Ray player as a CDP doesn't cause.

Can you guys recommend a stylus to use on the stock P23 cartridge? Or a new P mount cartridge to replace it altogether? I would replace the deck with something along the lines of the Sony PS-X600 which my friend Stu has just bought - it sounds fantastic. I rarely listen to vinyl so would like to just retain this deck as it is well made and runs quietly (in terms of motor hum!) and keeps speed perfectly.

I did post a request over at Audiokarma, but as the members are predominantly based in the USA, most of the suggestions are un-obtainable for us here - the shipping costs are ridiculous considering the TT itself is only worth around £50.00.

I have read the stock cartridge with a good quality aftermarket stylus brings the performance to a much higher level of enjoyment - unfortunately, I have no idea where to buy them or what denotes a "good" replacement stylus.

Any help is welcome

 

[smegger68]

The Digitrac 300SE. It's an Ortofon OMP 30 in disguise - essentially a 2M Bronze for about £100. Available from William Thakker:

http://www.zum-shop.de/Digitrac-300-SE-300SE-T4P_c32-35-67_p12356_len_x2.htm

They have been selling old stock of this cart for a couple of years now. I got mine when they were only £60 and I have to say, it's a lovely sounding bit of kit, and a steal at that price. Plenty of info available at the Vinyl Engine, just do a search.

 

[craigmclellan]

The Digitrac 300SE. It's an Ortofon OMP 30 in disguise - essentially a 2M Bronze for about £100. Available from William Thakker:http://www.zum-shop.de/Digitrac-300-SE-300SE-T4P_c32-35-67_p12356_len_x2.htm

They have been selling old stock of this cart for a couple of years now. I got mine when they were only £60 and I have to say, it's a lovely sounding bit of kit, and a steal at that price. Plenty of info available at the Vinyl Engine, just do a search.

That does look tempting. Before I go do some research, which deck do you use yours with? I've been recommended a kit to improve the Project Debut's performance, but think this may be a better option long term.

 

[smegger68]

I have an SL-DL5 which is destined for my bedroom system eventually. I used it with the Digitrac for a couple of weeks to see how it sounded and it didn't disgrace itself at all. I have to say the Digitrac sounded better in my SL-1210 II/SME IIIs combo but the linear deck certainly made music. I'm currently using it with a cheap Shure M-92e to play my 'challenged' disks and that is another good combo. That Shure is quite surprisingly tuneful... Jico do a SAS stylus for it even!

 

[craigmclellan]

The M92E intrigues me - where can the Jico stylus be obtained from?

 

[smegger68]

http://www.lpgear.com/product/eSHN092ESAS.html