I am thinking the needles need replacing on my Technics 1200 mk2 decks.
I’ve uploaded some photos of them to dropbox
I’m thinking of upgrading them, but I don’t have a clue about needles/cartridges.
What is the best to go for?
my usage is both traktor vinyl timecode (mk2) and also regular vinyl.
I would love to learn to scratch using timecode and traktor, bua as of yet there is no info I can find about setting this up for scratching.
The crossfader needed replacing in my Allen & Heath Xone:4D, so i’ve installed an inno fader.
If you’re doing heavy scratching and major turntablism stuff then go for the Shure M44’s as Patch suggested. For everything else I’d recommend the Ortofon S-120’s, although they’re good for scratching too.
Are you using timecode or actual vinyl? If it’s more or less timecode then your requirements are stability of the needle in the groove and low record wear, sound quality will be irrelevant. In that case I would probably choose the Shure’s as they’re cheaper than the Ortofons. As for which version, I can’t comment on the newer ones but you can still pick the 7’s up new no problem.
Don’t worry about optimisation, it’s marketing bollocks. If your needle works, it will work with any timecode.
I’ve got the M44-7’s. There’s not a lot between the 2 of 'em, to be honest.
There is an argument for the 44-7’s to be better for timecode, since they have a higher output, but, again, it is so negligible that it’s hardly worth discussing.
I’ve used Stantons (great), Shure’s (slightly greater) and Ortofon Concordes (meh - but still not especially bad). There is so little difference in performance that I can’t believe there is so much discussion around it.
It gives you more info than I could and you can make your own mind up from there. Ignore the price, they’re way cheaper than that now. For what it’s worth the S-120’s are my next purchase.
The good news is that you won’t go wrong with whatever you choose of those options. For me the Ortofons just edge it, plus I love the ease of setting up concorde carts.
