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Technics 1200 Sent for KAB Mods - w/Audio Samples

Hi All -
Like many Audio-goners, I've been curious about the KAB technics 1200 mods. I've just sent the 'table to KAB for a rewire but recorded three samples of the un-KAB-modded table for future comparison. You can download them from Rapidshare if you are curious! (you get one download every 30 minutes for free, or just change computers and download from there if you can't wait).

I made 3 selections that I am very familiar with. I'm already a little sick of them since I had to record them, edit the recordings, and bounce them to AIFF (44.1Khz, 16-Bit). Using these as a baseline, I hope to be able to readily identify the changes any upgrades will bring.

Current system consists of: Technics SL1210MK2, Ortofon 2M Blue cartridge, and the phonostage of an old NAD 7100 receiver. This was fed to my Pro-Tools MBOX and recorded at 48KHZ, 24 Bits. These have been bounced to AIFF files so that they can be burned onto a standard CD for comaprison.

The tracks are:
Paul McCartney, "Too Many People" from the original US Apple pressing of RAM:
http://rapidshare.com/files/120396900/TooMany1200NoMods.aiff.html

Miles Davis, "Seven Steps To Heaven" from a 90s Columbia standard-issue "Seven Steps..." LP.
http://rapidshare.com/files/120381110/7Steps1200nomods.aiff.html

Holst, "Venus" from The Planets conducted by Adrian Boult, Angel 1967 LP.
http://rapidshare.com/files/120368827/Venus1200NoMods.aiff.html

Now, the name "No Mods" is a slight misnomer, as the table has brass cones instead of the original feet. Despite this "mod", the stock 'table sounds kind of ordinary.

Note that I used "real world" used records for this instead of audiophile pressings - this was done on purpose. I am interested in upgrading my turntable in order to enjoy my current record collection, which includes all-analog British vinyl Beatles as well as some other great-sounding goodies, but also some not-so-well-cared-for finds.

I hope others will find this useful and fun!

Take care,

-Joel
128x128joelv
joelv's avatar
joelv OP
103 posts
 
Yes, if I were to limit myself to only one upgrade, it would be the KAB fluid damper. I will qualify this by my preferences:

I really hate mistracking, and I was considering selling my 2m Blue cart for that reason, but the damper seems to have alleviated that issue. Vocals are pleasant and present, not overly edgy and irritating as they were before.

I have my 1210 sitting on a nice rack, but I haven't done much to further isolate it. The damper improves mechanical isolation which contributes to the increased bass response I'm so happy with. You have lots of isolation going on, so I'm not sure the damper will yield as big an improvement in your system.

I do agree with another Audiogoner who once posted that with the damper engaged, each musical event seems to have much less of an impact on the others, eg a tympani hit seems quite separate from the delicate vocal on the Beatles' "Mother Nature's Son".

With my previous phono stage, the cardas re-wire didn't make a giant improvement, which was disappointing. At least my upgrade-curiosity is assuaged and I can just listen to music again :)

I hope this helps!

-Joel
joelv's avatar
joelv OP
103 posts
 
Fluid-damped!

Holst, "Venus" from The Planets conducted by Adrian Boult, Angel 1967 LP.
http://rapidshare.com/files/130177569/VenusFinal.aif.html

Thanks for playing along!

Though I have the external power-supply socket installed, I don't think I'll be getting that upgrade - at least for a while.

I'd love to hear your feedback.
kublakhan
717 posts
 
Hi Joe,
Thanks for the hard work. I'm a little confused, though. Do you have one song that is from before the mod and the same song after the fluid damper mod? I downloaded some of your samples but unless they're the same song it's impossible to compare. If you did this but i'm just missing it, can you tell me which downloads they are?
Thanks
joelv's avatar
joelv OP
103 posts
 
Hi Kublakhan - If you look at my first post, all three songs without any KAB mods are posted.

My posts from July 3rd (there are two separate posts) have all three songs with the cardas re-wire only.

Finally, my posts from 7/16 (there are three with links) have the same songs but recorded with cardas rewire, fluid damper, and inexpensive low capacitance mogami cable.

I hope that helps, let me know if you need any more help.

-Joel
kublakhan
717 posts
 
Thanks Joe. I completely forgot about your original post!

I'm out of the country away from my gear so I can't judge the difference but I'm looking forward to it.
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