I was naughty with my Technics SL-1210MK5 turntable and cheap Shure cart today, they impressed me!

So I am having trouble with my VPI Avenger turntable. When the arm goes toward the LP off of its rest, the unit starts to get a low hum. It backs off toward the end of the record and is not there when the arm isn't near the platter. Obviously the motor and cart are reacting to each other and it's such an annoying low end hum that I just shut it off. Couldn't handle it today.

I wanted to play albums this afternoon so I tried to figure it out. Can't move the Avenger, too heavy and too delicate. I have a wonderful VPI Classic table that I could have moved in the spot where my current 78 RPM player sits, that being my Technics SL1210MK5 with the crucial KAB mod (double tap and it plays at 78 RPM for really old records which I have a lot of.)

I didn't want to unhook that and lug the VPI Classic in the spot because I play 78's almost every day and I need the Technics.

So, without really thinking about it, as if in a dream, I removed my green 78 RPM Shure stylus (precious, from the 1970's) out of the Technics and put the needle in there that came with the machine's cartridge, (a lowly Shure M44-7) with it's original cheapo stereo DJ conical tip cart. Must have cost all of 50 bucks on a good day.

Then, I just plugged the Technics right into to my Audio Note UK M9 phono preamp. $500.00 tuntable, $50.00 cartridge right int0 a really expensive (not sure how much these days but more than a fancy new car) phono preamp and let her rip.

Same album I've been playing earlier, "Bob Cooper COOP." on Contemporary vinyl. Got it for $8.00 from Tom Port/Better Records back in 2003.

So, it took me about 10 seconds to get used to a moving magnet sound again after so many months, years with moving coil and at first I felt something was missing and then a little "tick" went by and went way up there in the air department so, everything was working correctly.

And then Bob Cooper's sax came in on the left channel and I gasped, hit in the chest with the most lifelike sax sound I'd heard in years.

This was heaven for me. Without that extra "air" that MC carts give and we all love, I was left simply with what was actually on the tape and it was glorious.

I'm not kidding, I put Bill Evans Trio/Explorations on (another $8.00 Tom Port/Better Records OJC special) and Scott's bass was just so lifelike my jaw dropped.

Sigh, just when you think you know everything about this hobby, it turns out you might know nothing, nothing at all.

My girlfriend (now wife) when she worked with Abbey Fonn at Cisco Music back in the day ordered me every Shure stylus that was still made for an M44 cart and was still around back in the year 2000 and I'm going to try them all.

This is so darn cool.

I'm bettin' a lot of you have a Technics turntable. So glad I have one too!

 

Strong, authoritative playback sound is what I'm getting from this mix of Technics/Shure and AN UK. I'm bettin' a nice, inexpensive MM phono stage, carefully selected, would be wonderful.

 

I've been ****ing around with this stuff ever since 1992 and I'm still learning and unlearning. Man, I learned something today, that's for sure (Shure).

 

Can't impress upon you West Coast Jazz lovers to get the 1980's-90's OJC vinyl version of Bob Cooper "Coop."

It's a flat analog cut from the stereo masters (confirmed by me) with NO echo added and it sounds wonderful. A gem in the OJC catalog for not much money.

And to think, Bob Cooper was bebopping June Christy at this same time. Heaven.

 

I just put on the CD of Supertramp’s “Breakfast In America “ and it sounds like dead dog s*** after an afternoon of records.

Dear Lord, I’m thinking in my mind if I possibly still have this on vinyl.

I’m becoming a vinyl dude. Say it ain’t so!

 

It couldn’t hurt. That being said, I’m going to try with a $1,000.00 phono stage today and see what happens.

 

Can you elaborate on what the G stylus is and why it's good?

I haven't been around Shure M44 stuff since my radio days in high school and college...