SL-1200GME Turntable

@lewm 

I have only heard the MP700 via a clip sent to me by someone - but from what I could hear it is impressive - its a major redesign from the MP500 much less rolled off at the top ( Nagaokas own comments ), from what I heard via recorded clip it is very neutral, very transparent - a lot more revolving than the 500 - boron cantilever and micro ridge stylus. What I heard was an effortless presentation along with transparency.

I'm also toying with the idea of getting one for my second turntable at some stage.

One last question here before I begin looking at vendors, Will I need a specific step up transformer to get the best sound from the Tube phono stage that I have? It's a really early version model and the circuit board inside doesn't appear to have any gain or impedance adjustments whatsoever. just 2 small jumpers to switch between MC or MM

I don't know if a step up transformer is needed for MC , I would think that less is better frankly

In the manual it has

"Gain listed at 60db (MC)"

Signal to noise 70db (MC) 

Thank you

@velocityofhue  - I've got a Technics SL1200G and it pairs great with my Hana Umami Red cart; no stepup transformer needed for my Herron Audio tube phono stage, the volume I set it not much more than it was for my previous Clearaudio MM cart. 

"In the manual it has

"Gain listed at 60db (MC)"

@velocityofhue 

Your phonostage is ready for .5mv LOMC 

 Look at higher performance Audio Technica -ART9 or 20 

Audio Technica - AT-ART9XI Dual MC Phono Cartridge - Music Direct

Audio Technica - AT-ART20 Dual MC Phono Cartridge - Music Direct

Lyra

Lyra - Delos MC Phono Cartridge - Music Direct

Lyra - Delos MC Phono Cartridge - Music Direct

If I spent $7K on a table, I certainly would look at more upscale carts than the AT33 or Nagaoka suggested. Good carts, but you can do much better.

Based on your expenditure, you're not too concerned with "bang for buck/value."

OP,

https://www.vtl.com/products/phono-preamplifiers/tp2-5/

you have 1 MM and two MC gain settings; and several MC impedance settings

this is a chart, two vertical columns, the lines dissapeared

left column is MC, right column is MM