SL1200GAE New Tonearm

Sheesh.

OK, we've done several SL1200G (or GAE) machines so far. Both the Triplanar 12" and the 9.5" arms can be mounted. I recommend replacement of the platter pad as well. We fabricate a special armboard; the concern is that the rigidity of the plinth and subchassis must be as rigid and dead as possible, so that if the platter is vibrating in some plane, the arm is also moving in that same plane so the noise cannot be transduced (the principle behind our model 208 turntable as well).

Most of the armboards I've seen aftermarket don't address this issue and so might have a bit of coloration.

The finished combination is spectacular. Technics really did their homework on the new SL1200.

Ralph, no rush, I am aware that you have done this. I sent you a email looking to get an arm board or information on it, looking for the best way to mount it, would like not to drill into the plinth though. The arm I got is from John I think you know him. Much appreciated Jerry

Ralph, So sorry that I volunteered you for TP questions.  That was unfair of me.  (I think maybe that was why you wrote, "sheesh".)

Dear @jtsnead :  " Want to change the stock arm. ", what's wrong with. What do you do not like?

The gimball bearing on the Technics arms is really very good design and your GAE tonearm is made from magnesium that's similar on some of the top SME build material.

Been a removable headshell design is really an advantage because you can match your tonearm to any cartridge out there That the TP or other tonearms just can't do it no matter what. ) only by making changes in the headshell characteristics: different build material, different shapes, different weigth, different headshell wires, etc, etc.
In the other side if you want it something better you can do it through the headshells and changing the tonearm internal wiring with out to change the tonearm or invest 3.5K that you can save for other items as could be a better mat and clamp or damping footers and obviously buying more LP´s.

You have several options before you can really feel the necessity to change the tonearm.

Only an opinion.

Regards and enjoy the MUSIC NOT DISTORTIONS,
R.

Ralph, So sorry that I volunteered you for TP questions. That was unfair of me. (I think maybe that was why you wrote, "sheesh".)

No, it wasn't, and no worries.

would like not to drill into the plinth though. The arm I got is from John I think you know him.

@jtsnead , there's no need for that- if done correctly, its all reversible with no evidence it ever happened.

" Want to change the stock arm. ", what's wrong with. What do you do not like?
The gimball bearing on the Technics arms is really very good design and your GAE tonearm is made from magnesium that's similar on some of the top SME build material.

The stock arm is competitive with many high end arms.

But both the Triplanar and the some of the SMEs have something on the Technics arm, which is that the bearings are in the plane of the LP rather than the arm tube. This allows for more consistent tracking force in bass passages and negotiating warp. It makes a difference as to how well the arm can play bass. The Triplanar is far more adjustable, and has much harder bearings; VTA can be adjusted on the fly, and the arm tube is damped for less coloration. A removable headshell means that there are more mechanical connections, which can degrade the sound when dealing with very small signal levels. That is why the SMEs and the Triplanar do not have a removable headshell.