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SP10 Mk II vs Mk III

A couple of guys here were planning to do listening comparisons of the Technics SP10 Mk II vs the Mk III, in their own homes and systems. Has anyone actually completed such a comparison? I am wondering whether the "upgrade" to the Mk III is actually worth it in terms of audible differences between the two tables. Possibly mounting either table in a well done wooden or slate plinth mitigates any sonic differences that would otherwise be heard. I am thinking of Albert Porter and Mike Lavigne in particular, who were going to do the comparison. Thanks for any response.
lewm
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albertporter
4,949 posts
 
Play a record of acoustic bass by, say, Charlie Haden's "Closeness" with Alice Coltrane and you will hear the delicacy of his plucking and tunefulness and its deep richness.

Couldn't agree more with your assessment of bass performance with SP10MK2 and MK3 and remarkable you mention one of my all time reference LPs. I don't think another post at Audiogon ever mentioned "Closeness."

If you don't already have it, the other Charlie Haden that has the same effect on me is "The Golden Number," Duets with Don Cherry Ornette Coleman, Hampton Hawes and Archie Shep. Truly great stuff, Horizon 26 by A&M.
lewm OP
12,945 posts
 
Had a similar experience this weekend with my Denon DP80 in slate with a Triplanar/Colibri. A friend brought over an LP of Ray Brown playing with Laurindo Almeida. The first cut is "'Round Midnight". Almeida plays a little solo verse, and then Brown comes in with a really low bass strike on his bass. We both nearly jumped off my sofa. We didn't listen to it on the SP10/slate, but I bet the effect would have been similar. Once they are mounted in the same type of plinth, and if that plinth is effective, the DP80 and the SP10 sound quite similar, based on my several hours of comparative listening. Both give a big sound with tremendous "jump" and rhythm.
rnadelman
17 posts
 
Hi, I am reading all the post with great interest. It is difficult to picture some of what is being offered as I do not own a SP10 mkll or lll. With that said I have been looking to purchase one and I am finding that I just don't have enough knowledge to make an intelligent purchase.
If you folks who already own one could outline the major points to be aware of when looking that would be great.
Also can someone tell me the difference in power supplies, the numbers being SH10b3 and SH10EA.
Thanks
Richard
downunder
1,329 posts
 
I may chime in here and agree with the bass dynamics and jump factor of good DD tables.

I just recently bought a 30 year old Exclusive P10. Coupled with a Koetsu Rosewood it has better bass dynamics and drive than my TW Raven AC-3/Phantom/ dyna XV-1.

very impressive indeed.
t_bone
1,182 posts
 
Rnadelman,
The SH-10B3 is the standard obsidian plinth for the SP-10Mk2, and it also works on the SP-10Mk3. The SH-10EA is the standard power supply for the SP-10Mk2. The power supply for the SP-10Mk3 is a different beast. The two are not interchangeable. Theoretically, the various plinths (SH-10B3, SH-10B5, and SH-10B7) are interchangeable across the SP01-Mk2, SP-10Mk2A, and SP-10Mk3.

Other than that, I recommend you read Albertporter's system thread regarding the SP-10Mk3 Project. There is a lot of useful info there.
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