Welcome to the forum. First, I would check that your cartridge stylus force is adjusted properly. It should be 2 grams.  You will need a stylus force gauge as I don’t believe there were calibrated markings. If this does not solve your problem, I would check whether yours as the phono card plugged into the bottom. If it does then this could be at fault. Which inputs are you using on your Marantz?

Hi there, thanks very much indeed. I have a feeling I might be on here quite a bit with the problems I am having with my other stuff as well ;) But I checked the phono card (is this the pre amp?) I realised that my Marantz has an internal pre amp and I had plugged the RAC plugs into the wrong ones, so once I plugged those into the Phono plugs I got a lot more sound. Actually loads loads more! I have checked the balance in the arm as well, The First 1200 comes with a gauge between 0-3 grams. So I have set it to 2 like you mention (also states that in the confusing manual I think) I am still getting quite a bit of distortion which is leading me to think that my Stylus is on its way out. I think ill take it into a store tomorrow and see if they can tell if its broken.   M

If the 1200 has the phono preamp then you would connect to an AUX/CD/Tape input on your Marantz. If not you go into Phono making sure MM is selected versus MC if your Marantz has this. Either the stylus or its suspension may have worn out which is not surprising after 40+ years. Finding a replacement will be costly or lucky.

Hi there yeah I think I have all the cables plugged in correctly now. the balance seems to be all good as well. I was scared that it might be the stylus and looks like its the culprit. I guess my search begins? Thanks for the help guys

Check the tracking force dial calibration with a gauge. It could easily be way off. Martin

Hi, I have yet to find an original stylus that is still good, several decades after they were produced. Don’t expect anything from old cartridges. They just don’t work.

Ha yeah I am beginning to realise that. I live in Sweden and found a good contact in Denmark so hopefully they are able to help. I found a couple of old cartridges on a couple of sites, but they ant the same as the original, the Original cartridge has a nice clear plastic front, these ones had a black one, just not as nice.

As far as I know, Black nose are SP 7 to X (?) and clear nose are SP10 to 14. Not the same at all. But "far" as I know may not be "far" as I believe!

ha ha got ya. Ill make sure I look into that.   Cheers