DrJay

I have rewired the tonearm, installed a fluid damper, installed an improved bearing, made the strobe light defeatable, put a copper mat down under the new mat, replaced the stock feet with spikes, and have a Lyra cart on it at the moment, it sounds amazing, and is 100% speed stable to boot.

Dean_Fuller

Hacker...does the receiver have a phono input? If so I would guess the gain is suitable for a MM or HIGH output MC. Make sure that the tracking is set properly and head weight ( with arm weight) so as not to damage your vinyl collection. For tracking force you will need a Gauge. Shure makes a good cheap one thats easy to use. Shure SFG-2 thats about $20 or so. Its good to have one so you can adjust periodically. There is probably a tonearm alignment pattern or rig you can download and print off for your TT and arm combo to get the alignment right. It will be special for your table and arm. It will lay on the platter as a record would and have a point to rest your stylus on. This will tell you how to shorten or lengthen the arm projection. Then you can eyeball the azimuth ( lean ) . I use a straw or Popsicle sick laid across the head on the tonearm so you can see if the stylus in 90 degrees to the platter. If your TT has VTA adjustment then that too can be eyeballed. VTA to lower of raise the tone arm pivot point and get the arm to track level or parallel to the record.

If this all is not news to you I apologize. Better safe than sorry. There is alot more to setting a TT up then screwing a cart to the head stock. And again...this is not only to sound good but save your collection from destruction over a Very short time frame.

I have a brand new never opened MM cart I bought a year ago I never installed or even opened. If you want info on it PM me.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IoIHn2g0398 is a video that may help. Its a different TT and arm but the principals are the same.

buddy911t

Music Hall Makes a really good turntable in the low end of the high end market. Get something decent, it will make all the difference in the world.
I wouldn't put a dime into what you have.

trickymoreira

The Technics SL-1200 turntable is the broadcast & DJ standard (the Porsche of all turntables). Nothing beats it, but do you need it? I doubt it. The JVC you have is older (and probably a bit more durable that some that are out there in stores now), so my advice to you would be to buy a stylus and presto. It works. I don't think you'll have to do too much to the turntable...

Kevinmacd

You can spend a small bank account on a cartridge. The better the cartride the less forgiving the turntable will be. Otherwords, the flaws in a TT will be expanded if you use a high end cartridge. In my opinion based on the TT you have, if you can get one the old Denon 103D ( i am dating myself) is by far a great cartridge as it relates to price vs performance. Even though this cartridge was discontinued, there are still a few around unused in the box. You just have to look. The only thing to keep in mind it is a low output moving coil. You may need a preamp if the output is below your systems capability.

Randyg308

all time classic,just had mine restored,new wiring,headshell and cartridge sumiko blue point,