SP10 Mk II vs Mk III


A couple of guys here were planning to do listening comparisons of the Technics SP10 Mk II vs the Mk III, in their own homes and systems. Has anyone actually completed such a comparison? I am wondering whether the "upgrade" to the Mk III is actually worth it in terms of audible differences between the two tables. Possibly mounting either table in a well done wooden or slate plinth mitigates any sonic differences that would otherwise be heard. I am thinking of Albert Porter and Mike Lavigne in particular, who were going to do the comparison. Thanks for any response.
lewm
the SP10 has so much damn torque that you would think you really need something massive to hold down the turntable to sink all that vibration. Didn't Mark Kelly tell us that Sansui experimented something like this about that return torque that's causing the turntable cabinet to color the sound?

Absolutely

I agree that if Raul or anyone else prefers the sound of "naked," that's fine, but chassis rotation in response to motor correction is precisely what I'm hoping to eliminate. The only question for me is how far you must go before no more improvement can be had.

On my MK2 Wenge plinth and my MK3 Ebony I experimented with various isolation feet and the roller types low friction overcame the plinth mass and allowed the chassis to respond to the energy, making for the analog version of "digital jitter."

This convinced me that the chassis must not move, even microscopically. The only two options I've found that achieve this and still provide "isolation foot improvement" is (1) Still Point system with threaded riser, (2) A military sheet material I've been experimenting with some months. This military material has incredibly high sheer strength in the horizontal plane but compresses in the vertical plane absorbing bass energy relative to it's thickness and the mass (total weight) applied.

Fortunately I found some an engineer on the project that had specifications for load and thickness and this has made experimenting a more fruitful venture.
Dear Sp-10s: I think that everyone of you are realy satisfied with your own SP-10 mods aside the fun to do it by your self.

I already posted on other threads that as important as is the electronics, naked or non-naked, suspension, etc, etc, IMHO and for every single TT ( any ) the main and critical factor for it can show at its best ( neutrality ) is the build material on platter ( certainly the build material is important everywhere. ) if like Albert say:
+++++ " is how far you must go before no more improvement can be had. " +++++

my advise is to " explore " that platter build material. Btw, very complex subject for say the least.

Regards and enjoy the music,
Raul.
I for one would not dream of modifying my SP-10 mkII in any way. Got it "new in box" so its a bit of a gem. I enjoy it as it is. Excellent machine even with mediocre ancillaries (blush blush).
Lonestarsouth,

The Technics MK2 is an incredible machine. I didn't believe it until I owned one.
Albert, a while ago I got Janis Ian's "Live: Working without a net" and on that cd there is the track "Tattoo" as featured on the marvelous "Breaking Silence" LP.

I was stunned all over again at how the LP version, played back on the SP-10 mkII, trounces the CD version in the PRaT dept. Okay, lets face it, I dont own a great cd player but still.