Sound Hi Fi Technics Jelco/SME arm upgrades

Hi Tim,I don't own a Technics 1200 but I use a Technics EPA 500 tonearm with my PTP3 slate plinthed Lenco.Some people seem to believe the 1200 tonearm only needs a rewire and the KAB damping upgrade to be a serious performer,maybe do these upgrades to the stock arm first and you may not want to spend more money for a different arm.

I would do all the KAB upgrades to the turntable and stock arm first before trying another different arm,you may think the Technics arm is plenty good enough.

Go here, download Issue 22, and read the review that starts on page 15 where the editor/publisher got the SME armboard from Sound Hi Fi of England and put a SME 309 on it. The reviewer is accustomed to $10K to $20K belt drive rigs.

That Tone Audio got me to place an order with Sound HiFi. I'm expecting the SME arm and PSU in the next few weeks. I'll let you know what I think.

Dear Tim: It is very hard to me wonder why any one can take all those " annoyances " trying to build/improve that Technics TT in any way when any one of you can buy a lot lot better ( for almost the same price. ) TT/tonearm like these ones by Technics:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Technics-SP-15-RARE_W0QQitemZ280404661355QQcmdZViewItemQQptZVintage_Electronics_R2?hash=item41496b946b#ht_3960wt_1165

http://cgi.ebay.com/TECHNICS-SP10-MKII-TURNTABLE-AUDIOPHILE-OBSIDIAN-BASE_W0QQitemZ280405222500QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item4149742464#ht_500wt_1182

http://cgi.ebay.com/Technics-SP-10-Mk1-w-SH10B1-Plinth-B2-Dust-Cover_W0QQitemZ180414578628QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item2a018bffc4#ht_500wt_1182

http://cgi.ebay.com/Technics-SP-10-SP-10MK2-Tonearm-Board-fits-SME-Ortofon_W0QQitemZ390102848111QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item5ad3f1126f

http://cgi.ebay.com/TECHNICS-SP-15-DIRECT-DRIVE-PRO-TURNTABLE-SH-15B3-BASE_W0QQitemZ290357112338QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item439aa1ee12#ht_6743wt_1165

http://cgi.ebay.com/TECHNICS-SP-10-MARK-2-BROADCAST-QUALITY-TURNTABLE-MAN_W0QQitemZ250510755178QQcmdZViewItemQQptZAU_Electronics_Home_Audio_Turntables?hash=item3a539ac56a#ht_1063wt_1165

http://cgi.ebay.com/Technics-EPA-500-tonearm-system-original-box-extras_W0QQitemZ180414584058QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item2a018c14fa#ht_668wt_1165

I can be wrong but IMHO does not make sense.

Regards and enjoy the music,
Raul.

I've had some experience with Jelco arms and their derivatives over the years, but not on my Technics. I suspect that, while the stock Technics arm is good enough, even the entry-level Jelcos are probably superior. I've just been so satisfied with the performance of the stock arm and Denon DL-103 that I've been too lazy to do the surgery.

I hope JohnnyB can update us on the result of his SME swap.