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Anyone have a fully upgraded KAB 1200?

I'm very close to having a fully upgraded KAB Technics 1200 with only needing some of the power supply upgrades.  Basically, i'd need the outboard PS and the strobe disable to call it complete (I did the DC voltage regulator (DC-1200) a while back to prepare for the outboard power supply).

Can anyone can comment on whether or not it was worth it?  I'm very happy with the 1200, and this last bit will call it "complete".  Reading through forums, I realize that the sonic improvements are not as great as say a tonearm rewire, mat, or tonearm silicon mod.  However, it's more of a "why not" type of thing and also as a sense of completion to it.

Cost would be ~$200.  Thoughts?  
128x128martinman
chakster's avatar
chakster
6,144 posts
 
You don’t have to buy everything KAB! Better cables available (zu audio mission phono RCA), for tonearm cardas litz internal tonearm wires, better feet available (isonoe for example), better mats available (SAEC SS-300 for example).  Rewire process of Technics is very easy for every technician. KAB is just one of them with the worst website on the planet, his site look like we are in the mid 90’s again and never upgraded, this is the worst site I even seen in my life, the size of the images is like the size of matchbox. 
vegasears
1,173 posts
 
When I researched tweaks to my 1210, I found most were for the arm.  My 1210 was a DJ rescue and the arm had to be abused.  I just changed the arm myself.  I didn't have to ship it which is always a risk. The Jelco arm I got is oil damped, was easy to install and was affordable.  An arm change may be easier. I'm still up in the air about the power supply change. 
martinman's avatar
martinman OP
93 posts
 
OP here -- I've done all the upgrades advised in the thread.  Only thing left is the power supply.  The best thing IMO about the 1200 is its DIY upgrade path.  I've done all the mods myself - tone arm rewire, lidz rca, wax spindle base, new spindle, tone arm dampening, etc.  Tone re-wire w/ lidz rca was a PITA, but probably the best bang for buck.  

For me, it's a hard sell to put a $300 mat or $150 feet on a $400 deck.  I'm quite happy with it as is and am mainly interested in calling my 1200 upgrade project complete with these final mods.  
chakster's avatar
chakster
6,144 posts
 
I think the best upgrade for old SL1200/1210 mk2 - mk6 is to sell it and to buy SP-10 mk2 with EPA-100 instead :) Took me a while to figure out, when I bought my SP-10 mk2 with EPA-100 my pair of SL1210mk2 was fully upgraded (kab fluid damper, complete rewire with cardas and zu, isonoe footers etc). 

SP-10mk2 in a custom plinth with EPA-100 tonearm is another level!
arcticdeth's avatar
arcticdeth
1,572 posts
 
Not fully.

 I purchased the rca cables to swap for the stock ones. No one can do this work, remove old ones, solder on new better quality ones,

 I won’t attempt it, consider me Tim Taylor (toolman)
   I would destroy something.

 Taking off the plastic base, and getting it all back together like new, wish I knew someone who could do this. Someone who has experience.
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