AT 33SA or OC9 for 1200 mk5

That’s the benefit of AT’s MM product line, interchangeable stylus.

Definitely, but not only Audio-Technica.

Some manufacturers offered so many options to the customers:
For example Stanton/Pickering offered all types of styli for their MM to play not only microgroove stereo, but also mono and even different 78 rpm. And all these just with spare stylus, but with the same MM cartridge.

Another brand that did the same is Grace, they made all kind of styli (Conical, Elliptical, Unitily-4 (LineContact), Discrete-4 (Shibata), Luminal Trace, Micro Ridge) and nearly all kinds of cantilevers (Aluminum, Beryllium, Boron, Ruby, Sapphire and even Ceramic) ...

Thank you for the replies. I did place an order for the 33PTG/2, as well as the KAB cardas wires and fluid damper. I'll surely report back once it's up and running.

I agree you cannot have too many carts, so after a while I will look to add maybe the SA33 or ART9, as well as other possible manufacturers but those two are on the radar.

No lean away from musical at all for the line contact stylus.   Out of the 3 I'd say the line contact versions might be the most musical.   The ART9 and the OC9iii share the same body, are in the same family.   Have not actually heard the 33PTG but am sure it is also good.    Have fun!

@gibsonian What are your thoughts of the micro line vs the shibato? Does the ML start to lean away from musical.. but not implying analytical? These 3 carts, the ART9, OC9/iii, and the 33PTG are looking like you need to own all of them...lol.

To update this, I installed the 33PTG/2 yesterday and pretty much have it dialed in to the Baerwald arc. I just need to fine tune the azimuth but had to shove off to work yesterday but was able to play a few tracks.
With the cart, and the Cardas wire upgrade, I was absolutely thrilled at the results. I was waiting for that sibilance after I noticed the increased air and liveliness surrounding all aspects of the recording, but the highs were very well controlled. There was no sense of brightness, all the high notes and vocals just seem to be just right, no sibilance at all.

There was a small setback as I tried the 10g Zupreme headshell with the PTG, along with the AT headshell wires. This combo tipped the scales at right about (IIRC) 19.7g and the stock counterweight could not level this out. I could have just gone with the 1.8-2.2g tracking force but wanted to be able to at least balance the assembly...I may try this later anyway,
So I used the stock headshell to begin with which the entire assembly weighed in at 17.25g with the AT headshell wires and did balance out. Using the HiFi news Test LP I have a resonance at 9 Hz.
Overall it was somewhat of a wow moment in regards to clarity, detail, and control.

This combo tipped the scales at right about (IIRC) 19.7g and the stock counterweight could not level this out. I could have just gone with the 1.8-2.2g tracking force but wanted to be able to at least balance the assembly...

There is a stock subweight with every Technics SL1200 series, just screw it in. If you don’t have it you can buy here for $12.95. With subweight you can balance heavier cartridges/headshell.