2. Dynamics: Everything sounded smaller and controlled in 1200G compared
to the other TTs. The explosive dynamics were missing. The SP10mk2 was
better. The idlers were simply in a different league. My previous TT was
a Platine Verdier and that too had an effortless seemingly unlimited
dynamics. 1200G sounds puny compared to them. If that's your concern
then no tonearm or cart upgrade will cure it.
@pani I ran into this with the stock SL1200G too, but I solved it by replacing the platter pad- its not a drive issue. The rubber one supplied with the 'table is too soft and since the stylus is exerting 1,000's pounds/square inch on the vinyl, its important that the pad support it properly or dynamic impact is reduced. I've used the Oracle pad with good results. But it has an adhesive backing so you can't install the hardware fixing the platter to the motor. But as long as you have gravity that isn't a problem. |
lewm,
Thanks for your explanations. Wasn't my intent to second guess you as my electical expertise is very limited at best.
I had a very bad ground hum problem with my TT awhile back, and found going from a cheap switching power supply to a linear power supply solved the problem. Go figure. |
One of the great benefits of hooking up a cartridge in balanced mode to a balanced phono stage is the total lack of hum problems. I have been doing this for decades, and I have never experienced a problem with hum using any of many cartridges. However, if you do have hum and everything is grounded to everything, then I usually start by removing some of those ground connections and listening as I go. Sometimes the grounding scheme can generate ground loops which actually cause the hum.. |
@atmasphere, I was using the mat that comes with Sp10 mk2. Sounded better than any other mat I tried on 1200G. But my overall impression of dynamics did not change. |
Original mat for SP10 mkII is rubber mat, I think this is the worst mat ever. Below is an interesting article from SAEC engineers about mats in general (including rubber mats) and their own Solid Mat (perfect for Technics btw).
FROM THE ORIGINAL SAEC SS-300 (ENGLISH) MANUAL:
The conventional turntable mat is made of soft material such as rubber, in the belief that soft cushion will effectively filter out vibrations between the turntable and puck-up stylus.
***A lesson from an old tradition:
In certain Buddhist ceremonies a bell or wood block is used which sits on a cushion. The cushion, being softer than the bell or wood block, does not prevent the instrument from ringing when it is struck. It merely dampens the vibrations somewhat so that they are of shorter duration (that is, they decay faster) than in the case of a bell or wood block suspended in the air.
The record disc and turntable platter used in conjunction with a soft mat are in state resembling that of the bell or wood block on a cushion. As the stylus oscillates in the record groove, the disc having a certain elasticity, it causes it to vibrate slightly. Depending on the size and other physical properties of the disc, these pulsations vary in frequency from 100 Hz to 400Hz. If the turntable mat is softer than the record disc, it will deform along with the vibrations of the disc. The Sympathetic vibrations are of sufficient amplitude to cause an audible low resonance peculiar to record playing. Likewise the turntable platter, when a soft mat is used, vibrates sympathetically and contributes to the problem of low resonance.
***A classically simple solution:
After two years of development, the audio engineers at SAEC have produced a completely new turntable mat which solves the problems of the conventional soft mat. The new SS-300 Solid Mat is of material harder than any record disc. Placed directly on the turntable platter, the Solid Mat by its mass and hardness cancels sympathetic vibration of the platter. Likewise a record disc in immediate contact with the Solid Mat is prevented from vibrating. Whereas the conventional soft mat merely damps sympathetic vibrations, the Solid Mat reduces these vibrations by 10 to 15dB compared to the conventional mat, thus effectively eliminating the problem of low resonance.
***We did it our own way:
This new component brings us an important step closer to realizing a technical ideal of record-playing. For a record to be reproduced perfectly, the stylus and its cantilever must oscillate with no interference from vibrations of the other record-playing components. Thus not only the headshell and tonearm but also the turntable platter and record disc itself should be completely oscillating.
The famous SAEC tonearms with their patented Double Knife Edge design are the only tonearms made that have solved the problem of tonearm resonance. This was accomplished by radical departure from conventional approaches.
Again with the SS-300 Solid Mat, SAEC has turned conventional wisdom on its head to solve the problem of record and turntable resonance.
*** Turntable Solid mat. Model SS-300:
The holes in the mat are made not to cause resonance in the radiant direction on the plane of the turntable.
Aluminum alloy - using special surface treatment (rough surface).
The solid mat is so shaped that may be used for many representative record players and turntables.
The resonance of a turntable itself (resonant sound from turntable), which could not be eliminated by the conventional type turntable mat made of soft material like rubber, is prevented by using the SS-300 solid mat, which creates a state of non-resonance through its interaction at its critical point.
The Solid Mat must be placed directly on the turntable platter. Do not use a soft mat between the Solid Mat and the turntable platter, since the Solid Mat will then be caused to resonate either independently of or jointly with the soft mat. Similarly do not place a soft mat between the Solid Mat and the record disc!
Under ordinary conditions there will be no problem of slippage, since the SS-300 Solid Mat has a special non-slip surface.
Do not place a stabilizer weight on the record disc, as this will deform the disc and reduce the effectiveness of the Solid Mat.
Use reasonable care in placing records on the Solid Mat. Do not place/remove records while the turntable is rotating.
Do not drop the Solid Mat, since any crack or deformation will reduce its effectiveness.
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