Technics SP 10 mc II. Worth looking at?


There is a Technics SP 10 mc II with a Micro MA 88 arm for sale and I’m wondering whether it’s worth buying. Due to local lockdowns I can’t view it. It’s  vintage, but if anything is wrong is it reparable, and worth repairing?  Otherwise I’ll keep looking for a Rega or Linn that I can afford 
laughingfrog
Finding a SL 1000 MK2 NOS in the year 2021 is almost impossible, I feel happy because I have one that I don’t use due to lack of space.
Currently I have found only aesthetically questionable SP10IIs for sale; if I have to spend 1200/1500$ to then do a recap, a restoration and redo everything with a great waste of time, I prefer to buy one that is already in place, perfect and completely restored for a little more expense without the need to do anything else.
I have restored several as a hobby and now that I have accumulated a lot of experience even if I am elderly next year I will found a company that is dedicated to the complete restoration of turntables; it will be called "perfect restore labs®"
some of my restorations....


https://i.postimg.cc/Sj0L4XnZ/39.jpg
https://i.postimg.cc/XJzmwgPp/Technics-SH-10-E-24.jpg
https://i.postimg.cc/5ykz9X6c/P1000994.jpg
https://i.postimg.cc/gkszZCDJ/47.jpg

the attention to detail and even less apparent details should be noted.... practically perfect.

https://i.postimg.cc/qBngzDSh/DSCN5975.jpg

everything has been renewed, containers and front panels of the power suppy if scratched or damaged
https://i.postimg.cc/k4G80NgN/a.jpg

....and on request also with special power cables maintaining the original conditions of the rear panel
https://i.postimg.cc/RZjZScdQ/P1000459.jpg

I am currently working on this SP 10MK2 A from a dear friend.
https://i.postimg.cc/Y987Wg6P/c.jpg


A wall shelf with the construction to support the TT being the:
Shelf > Sorothane Hemispheres > Sub Plinth > Adjustable Spikes > TT Plinth.
Is a very affordable Mounting Method, much cheaper than a Quad Set
of AT - 616 footers on a Chassis and a Tone Arm Pod.
I own the AT-616 Footers and in my situation they are superseded by other footers.
When the AT 616 have been used in other configurations in a structure for mounting a TT, they offer almost identical performance as Sorbothane, but when in use, they are height adjustable, so offer useful assistance with levelling as and when required.
I could sell the AT-616 on and use an adjustable footer design that will accommodate Sorbothane and IMV get just as good a performance at a much reduced cost.

As I am from the schooling that works to create a rigidly coupled Interface between the Tonearm and Platter Spindle, I view Standalone Pods as a tool to make experiencing a New Tonearm a simple achievement, but do not see the use of the Pod as a design that enables a rigid coupling, so is not a priority to be used in my own set up.

Within my local HiFi Group I am now as result of Covid Restrictions being lifted, returning to sharing in meetings and listening to a Plinthed SP10R with a Stand Alone Tone Arm Pod and 12" Glanz Arm.
Prior to Covid the SP10R was used without a Plinth on Isolation Footers and is said to be much improved fastened to a Plinth.
I am not prejudiced against the methods used on this set up as a interface between the Tonearm and TT.

I have loaned most of my owned footers within the HiFi Group for extended periods, where other HFi Enthusiast Friends have made the most of the opportunity.
I am not aware of any who made it known that there is a want to pursue the purchase of AT 616 following a loan.

I do know GAIA Footers are selected as the footer of choice from comparisons that took place on a few of the Groups members systems.
The GAIA’s are also said to be comparable to other footers I have made available and these are ones that have superseded the AT 616 that I own.

An AT 616 does a great job under a Speaker and when loaned to a friend, proved to be quite instrumental to them in their making the decision to purchase a Townsend Speaker Support.

I reintroduced a cabinet speaker to my System in Late 2020 as an alternative to my much favoured ESL Speakers.
The Speakers have the Audax Gold Dome Piezzo HD 3P Tweeter with Carbon Fibre Drivers and are known as a design for their transparency.

These were mounted using a variety of Coupling Methods at the base, and to achieve a level of transparency that resembles a ESL,
these have ended up through trials on a Multi Tier Sub Plinth with different materials and Separators making up the construction.
The Speakers finally shone to a attractive level when the AT 616 were used in direct contact with them on top of the constructed plinth base.

The AT 616 are highly recommended by myself for the use under a Speaker, my friends investigation and my recent investigation has settled this for myself and I stand by the positive reports on offer from the findings when used.

There are IMV better replacement footer options available to myself in my listening environment and I assume available to others as an alternative choice of footer, to using an AT 616 when it comes to Isolating a Source Device in a System.




The AT 616 are highly recommended by myself for the use under a Speaker, my friends investigation and my recent investigation has settled this for myself and I stand by the positive reports on offer from the findings when used.


They are under my Tannoy monitors @pinda
The interest in the SP10 MkII Globally is one that will continue with a very long future.
Even more so that there is an SP10 R available.
I can assure the OP they can 'if desired' get a SP10 MkII to perform extremely close to the performance of the SP10 R, for a lesser outlay once they are in possession of an SP10 MkII.  
Where there will be divisions is when the Tonearm and Cartridge choices are being made.
It can be quite difficult to discover individuals mimicking each other in these choices.
The days are no longer with us, where the HiFi Media had been taking on the role of producing a TT Set Up and beating the Drum for it,  where all recommendations 'led to' and are 'compared to' their very supported choice.
The users of a Vinyl Source are much more careful about the choices being made today, some of this is experience related, budget constraints or being wed to certain type of sound, there are others in the mix as well.

A SP10 MkII will certainly produce a unique presentation and if one is wed to that type of Sound Quality then how lucky one is that it is available for a very reasonable outlay.

Looking at previous supplied images and the image in the link of the SP10 used in Broadcast,
I can't see anything in the images that would suggest there was an avoidance to mount them in a purpose built dedicated mounting. 
I feel confident the Designs for the mounting incorporated Isolation Methods.
A Wall Shelf and Sub Plinths in my view is a cost effective way to mount a TT and offer a very good method to Isolate the TT from the ambient environment.

As there is a common theme on the Analogue Threads on this Forum,
where it usual to throw in a $10 000 cost as the basic requirement.
To keep the usual contributors contented, I will make the Sub Plinth Brand known, the Minus K - WS4-1000 is an option to consider as a mounting device, and probably very good at what it does.
Once you have been advised on the magic footers to seat in on, it should hit the magic 10K figure.  

https://thevinylfactory.com/news/vintage-bbc-technics-studio-turntables-console-ebay/