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Life After Technics SL1200 Mk5

Hi All,

i am starting the hunt for a new turntable and what to hear from past owners of Technics TT's.

My first real turntable was a Luxman PD272 with a Shure V15 Type IV cartridge, both of which I wore out. Given it was my formative years, I loved that set-up. I acquired my Technics 1200 Mk5 about ten years ago after a long journey down the digital fork in the road. 

Due to some technical furniture issues and WAF, I had to set the TT aside, again. I have rolled through various digital gear and currently use a PS Audio PWT and Theta ProBasic III R2R ladder DAC.

Anyway...I set up the Technics again with an AT150 MLX cartridge and....lo and behold...the digital setup, while not possessing that vinyl sound, does sound better than the SL1200 and AT150.

I did not want to believe this, so I reinstalled the cartridge and realigned the table. Same resort. Basically, the sound is a bit tilted to the treble, the bass is a bit thin compared to my digital gear, and the overall sound seems lean.I have fiddled with cartridge tracking and tonearm balance with no improvement.

So what is next? Is it I do not like the AT cartridge? Has my digital gear outgrown my TT?

That is why I want to learn about the experiences of those of you that moved to a different turntable from Technics. What Technics table did you have and what cartridge? What new turntable and cartridge replaced your Technics setup? How did the sound improve? I would appreciate any and all advice!

Thanks for listening,

Dsper


dsper
dsper OP
663 posts
 
@atmasphere 

Tonearm cable is Cardas Double Litz 1 X 21.5 coax that is supposed to be 33 pF per foot.

I took the phono preamp setting down another 50pF and will listen to determine if I can tell a difference.

Thanks!

Dsper
vinylvin
146 posts
 
You might want to look into the KAB Fluid Damper. I thought it made a big improvement on my 1210 MG5. Plenty of reviews. 
dsper OP
663 posts
 
@vinylvin 
I have the fluid damper but have not gotten around to installing it because I am still sorting out the best WAF for the table!
rushfan71
291 posts
 
@dsper I read through the comments before deciding to comment my self and it seems you tried what I was going to suggest and that was dropping the rear of the tonearm to reduce sibalance and improve bass response. As well as dropping the capacitance on your phono stage.

The other question I had was when KAB wired your tonearm, did you have them install their arm tube damper?

In addition to damping it also adds a little mass to the arm. I did my MKII arm years ago with their litz wiring and the damping tube.
It made an audible difference
lewm
13,027 posts
 
What is it that your Wife does not Accept? The mods under discussion would not even be visually detectable even by most audiophiles.
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