New Technics SL 1200 GAE

@billstevenson and @audiofun 

I, too, own this marevlous piece of engineering.  It sounds wonderful in addition to being way better built than many tables out there, especially in its price range.  It's a rock. 

Here's my question--

When I went to adjust the torque, I flipped the switch from auto to manual, yet when I went to adjust the actual torque the setting appeared to be at what would be 7:10 on an analog clock--which I equate to being as low as possible.  Is that right?  I had trouble getting the screw to move and didn't want to strip it so I left it be.  Maybe I need a better fitting micro screwdriver--I'm already using a tiny one.  

Thoughts? Is that where your torque setting was?  

Jbhiller: 

definatley don't use a lot of force on the potentiometer (it is not a screw).
When you are making these changes I would have the unit powered down or unplugged from the wall socket.

the fact that it was aleafy turned down doesn't mean anything as it should have been defaulted to the "Auto" mode which means the unit ignore the position of the pot. 

You should have been able to easily turn the pot clock-wise which would indicate it was at the end of its range in the counter-clockwise direction.

Set the flip switch to manual and then adjust the pot such that it is 1/5 of the way up which you mean it is mostly turned counter-clockwise. 

Hope this helps.

never force the potentiometer.

I'm pretty handy but was surprised To find out that I had to use the exact size mini screwdriver as specified by the manual, 2 mm

 I was able to get the switch over to manual, and set the torque fairly low, hopefully about 20% or 1/5 of its maximum. 

 The sound certainly has more air yet  I am still listening and fiddling. 

What a table!  It's nice to be in love again.