Let me start by saying, I’m not writing this for some ego trip, I’m just hoping people can save some money, make more informed decisions, and gather some insight from my turntable experiences. While I really didn’t want to names names on this forum, for the benefit of the players who want to get a better grip on what I’m saying ... here goes.
I agree the solid plinth SL-1200MK2 tables don’t sound as good ... yes even with every mod you can throw at it. Best bang for the buck with the SL-1200’s is to solid silver wire the arm and leave it alone. Most of the other mods are just sound changers IMO, not improvements. My suggestion if your on a budget, save your money and acquire a "used’ Ultra Hi-End cartridge. Mark my words, that combo will still slay some giants!
I’ve also owned a fully decked out SP-10Mk2, yet my SL-1610Mk2 with a solid silver wired arm ... and no other mods ... sounds better. Why you ask, "the tuned suspension"! Eight years ago I came to the conclusion direct drive tables need sprung tuned suspension for optimum performance. You can play with solid plinth’s on DD tables all you want, all you get is different sounding turntables. Do I too want a professionally sprung tuned SP-10Mk3 ... ohh you bet ya!!!
Now enter into our imagination the 2016 factory tuned suspension Technics SL-1200GAE. (I like Chakster having already sampled the goods)
Well there’s no doubt in my mind, the $4k SL-1600GAE will dance all over any belt driven tables at or near that price. It may very well dance all over most turntables on the planet. Bold statement but consider I also own a $20k TW Acustic table with upgraded power supply and Graham Phantom arm. Yet already my 1979 silver wired SL-1610MK2 goes toe to toe when playing $4k plus cartridges. That’s a big revelation my friends, I like most players, never even considered using ultra Hi-End MC cartridges on lowly DD Technics tables. Major oversight! Another hidden benefit of the 1610Mk2 is that its fully automatic, after 4 fingers of Scotch, the last thing I want to be doing is handing a $4k cartridge. (A common occurrence around my place)
Speaking with the Technics engineer at CES 2016, he claimed the new Direct Drive motor specs on the SL-1200GAE falls somewhere between the SP-10Mk2 & SP-10Mk3. Wow! Couple that with a factory sprung tuned suspension and all the other improvements. Well now you can see why I’m so excited about acquiring this turntable.
Nothing else like it on the Planet!
Initial evaluation with my Technics SL-1200GAE (Scheduled to arrive on July 6) using 3 distinctly different cartridges.
- Technics EPC-205CMk4 Moving Magnet
- Ortofon Vienna Moving Coil made for the German Market
- Kondo IO Moving Coil with S9 Step-up Transformer
Phono amp will be a "retubed" Zesto Andros 1.2, into a Solid Silver Wired passive TVC preamp, into my Kondo Ongaku amp, wired to a pair of Bastanis Apollo open baffle speakers.
Later I will also try the SL-1200GAE with my Cryo’d Sony TA-A1ES amp to bring the price point back down to earth a bit. The Sony A1ES Class A amplifier itself being an under the radar Giant Killer!
