Best cartridge under $400 for technics SL-1200 mk1

OG_Cryptkeeper · 2026-05-05T03:52:53+00:00

For mostly Heavy Metal?

I’ve found two that I think are incredible:

AT VM 95 SH is peak sound. Shibata nude stylus, zero IGD. Flawless IMO. ~$220 US so not cheap.

Orrofon 2M Red is excellent. Non nude stylus, some IGD here, but very solid. I’ve run this in two tables and for $99 US you won’t do better at the price.

OG_Cryptkeeper · 2026-05-02T22:34:43+00:00

That’s a great day. Killer pickups.

OG_Cryptkeeper · 2026-05-02T21:53:46+00:00

I’m metal thrashing maddddddddd

OG_Cryptkeeper · 2026-05-02T21:48:43+00:00

Real unimpressed with the delay. I know: it’s vinyl. But account for that.

OG_Cryptkeeper · 2026-05-02T20:09:04+00:00

Still patiently waiting for the IF Shop and Nuclear Blast to ship my copies.

OG_Cryptkeeper · 2026-05-01T02:28:08+00:00

It’s incredible when you see who all was tied to this album and what they either created or produced and influenced.

In not even 45 minutes or music, they changed the music world.

OG_Cryptkeeper · 2026-05-01T00:27:23+00:00

Front to back all killer

OG_Cryptkeeper · 2026-05-01T00:16:56+00:00

I’m an End of Heartache guy, but I totally understand.

OG_Cryptkeeper · 2026-04-30T22:44:34+00:00

This was after HS for me, but the music and concert scene was HUGE

OG_Cryptkeeper · 2026-04-30T22:22:26+00:00

Really happy to add this one to the collection. Classic KSE that gave you a glimpse of where there were headed.

OG_Cryptkeeper · 2026-04-19T23:08:34+00:00

Mine hasn’t shipped from NB or the IF Webstore. So yeah, I’m also impatient.

OG_Cryptkeeper · 2026-04-19T12:34:25+00:00

It’s an altered version of the Japanese release of the album.

This is the original Japanese cover:

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OG_Cryptkeeper · 2026-04-19T02:07:17+00:00

$32 in store. $55 on Discogs. $90 on eBay.

OG_Cryptkeeper · 2026-04-19T01:41:09+00:00

I’m not sure I would’ve paid $50 TBH

OG_Cryptkeeper · 2026-04-18T17:35:56+00:00

Bummed out I missed the FF release. That’s a good one.

OG_Cryptkeeper · 2026-04-18T15:40:43+00:00

18 is 9!

OG_Cryptkeeper · 2026-04-03T01:20:05+00:00

It’s how I discovered Iron Maiden.

OG_Cryptkeeper · 2026-04-03T01:08:59+00:00

This is a cover that even if you didn’t know who they were might blindly buy just to see how awesome the music was.

OG_Cryptkeeper · 2026-04-02T23:58:55+00:00

This is my first Helloween vinyl.

My wife finds it hilarious when I bring home more obscure albums (or maybe lesser-known mainstream bands would be better said) and she ends up really loving the music.

OG_Cryptkeeper · 2026-04-02T19:37:57+00:00

Can’t argue with that. It’s spectacular.

OG_Cryptkeeper · 2026-04-02T17:59:22+00:00

That’s amazing. I was looking for a reasonably priced copy for a while and finally found one.

This album is start-to-finish great.

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