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TECHNICS SL1200 MKII.......THE REAL FACTS

I have been a very active participant in this hobby for many years (going on 30). I have owned amplifiers by B&K, Marantz, Forte, VanAlstine, Accuphase, GAS, Onkyo Grand Integra, Musical Fidelity.....Speakers by Thiel, Energy, Genesis, Vandersteen, PSB, Definitive Tech, KEF, Mission, B&W....Turntables by Sota, Rega, Linn, AR, Thorens, Dual, and yes; Technics. I have a Technics SL1200 MKII which I have had for a few years now. It has been modified in the following ways (all mods based on trial and error and final listening results):
-TT Weights 454 record weight
-XPM1 Acrylic mat with 1/4" heavy Technics rubber mat underneath
-Steel plinth cover (chrome finish). I cannot explain why, but the background is more quiet and micro dynamics are better with this in place.
-Armtube stuffed loosely with cotton.
-Heat shrink tubing on outside of arm tube.
-Stock headshell replaced with Sumiko with Sumiko headshell wires (do NOT underestimate what headshell quality can do with these things).
-Plugs on the stock cables replaced with better plugs: Vampire OFC RCA plugs.
-Bearings adjusted for minimal play with minimal friction.
-KAB Power Supply added

Now, this is the scoop. I do not want a Technics turntable. I am an audio snob. I want only salon approved brands; period. That is why this situation sucks dog. Out of all the turntables I have owned. This Technics with this combination of mods has the blackest background, the best dynamics, the most detail, the clearest stage, the most pace and timing and overall just simply plays the song in the least-confused manner of ANY turntable I have ever owned. In many ways it makes every other turntable I have ever owned sound like Amateur Night in sonic comparisons. Facts are facts. The Technics SL1200 MKII, when properly tweeked, is one serious LP playback unit. At least the chrome plated steel plinth cover covers up the name.
audiomaster1967
czarivey
5,946 posts
 
1200 vs. Rega is unfair match I guess similar to Vladimir Klitchko vs. Oscar Dela Hoya.
Any parameter you pick up 1200 is going to score high against most of Regas. Not sure what those higher-end Regas built like, but design in general for all of models budget oriented while in 1200 it's performance and durability oriented.
Quiet motor, RPM stability(vs. frequent RPM instability in Regas), TRACTION and TRACTION again to the point that dirt cheap cartridge will smoke most of Regas with high-end ones and I'm only talking about stock unmodded versions(have currently 4 for DJ use). Bass control, realistic and precise mids...
I hardly ever DJ now -- no time for it, but still rent them out to DJ's and there's certainly factor of built quality and reliability. I guess any Rega would just simply collapse trying to 'outrun' 1200.
dave_72
1,399 posts
 
If you haven't heard the 1200 with a higher end MM cartridge (at least $200-$300) you're in for a treat. I had a less expensive cartridge on there, and it was pretty good, but when I upgraded the cart, now it's really, really good! :D
czarivey
5,946 posts
 
I've got pretty fine arsenal of various carts utpo $500 worth.
Some of them are being upgraded re-tipped.
dave_72
1,399 posts
 
Cool, sounds good.
hellenic_vanagon
3 posts
 
@ 57s4me

Sir, it is specified clearly that both turntables, TECHNICS SL-120 ORIGINAL MK1 and REGA PLANAR 3 had exactly the same cartridge, SHURE V15 III.

The only difference is that the TECHNICS had a slightly inferior tonearm.

That's why reviewer says:

"So at least in the case of the Technics SL-120 and the Rega Planar 3, we were hearing almost entirely the sound of the turntables themselves, rather than sound of the tonearms and cartridges."
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