Technics 1200 headshell/needle/cartridge

**a burdenless pig** · 03-09-2013, 05:19 PM

Hi! I just scored 2 Technics 1200's for 625 from my local classifieds. They are in excellent shape but have no needle or headshell. I've been looking around and it seems like the shure m44 7 is the way to go. However they are a little pricey...and having just dropped 625 on turntables I would buy something a little more affordable. And if I do end up going with the shure's would I need to buy the headshell separately? Are there cheap standalone headshells you can buy? Thanks!

**Buffalo Ill** · 03-09-2013, 07:04 PM

Yes.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/G050ZK-HL-...item27c8642746

**mdcdesign** · 03-09-2013, 10:59 PM

Not sure if it's still the same these days, but a few years ago Ortofon Concordes were where it was at. Bloody expensive though tbh. I used to use Marantz gear on my decks, but I wasn't a scratcher.

**keithace** · 03-09-2013, 11:35 PM

ebay head shells...My Blue shures have served me well...SC35C...

**DJSigma** · 03-09-2013, 11:41 PM

Just get the Shures man. Don't fuck around with cheap needles. It ain't good for sound quality, performance, or your records.

**djproben** · 03-10-2013, 12:58 AM

Some cheap needles are alright. You won't go wrong with Shure M35 series if you want to save a few bucks; I think they're like half the price of the 447s. And if you want to find something even cheaper, I put many miles of groove on the old Stanton 500-series before I finally got my Shures. They certainly weren't gonna wow anyone, but as all around mixing and occasional scratching carts they aren't bad for the cost.

**djproben** · 03-10-2013, 01:00 AM

^^ I actually meant the SC35 series but the M35s (which I've never tried) look pretty good too.

**teambama** · 03-10-2013, 04:50 AM

Check proaudiostar on ebay. They throw them up from time to time at great prices. Shure 44 cartridge/needle on Technics Headshell sell for $99 on their website. But they put them on ebay for around $70 shipped a good bit.