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Upgrade from Technics 1200 MK2? $1-$1.5k budget

I'm faced with the option of selling the 1200 and buying another table, or spending for KAB upgrades. I'd like to explore a new table in the $1k-$1.5k price range rather than upgrade the 1200. The table must provide a good base upon which to upgrade.

I'd stick with the technics, but the tonearm is way to "fiddly" for me. There is way to much play in the headshell attachment area. The 2 screws on the bottom, and the single pin / bayonette style attachment are just to imperfect (maybe this is an advantage to some?). It seems like the slightest bump on the ortofon headshell, and I have to play with the azimuth. Also, i'm quite tired of dealing with ever so slight tracking issues. Very frustrating...

For completeness sake -- Stock 1200, AT120E/T, Baerwald protractor setup, 1.4-1.8 VTF, anti-skate 1.0-2.0, VTA at 0 (I have the thicker 1/4" technics mat). The setup is dead spot on, yet I still have tracking issues.

The VPI traveler jumps out at me as a good option. Likewise, Rega RP6, Clearaudio Concept (or SE). These are at the top end of my budget. The RP3 is around 1k, but all the reading I've done suggests that it might be a lateral move from the 1200. Pro-ject 5.1 as well.

One imperative feature must be ease of use / setup. I don't want to fiddle with anything. Thoughts?
128x128martinman
bflodave
22 posts
 
For half the cost of your upgrade budget, send your 1200 to KAB. Have Kevin rewire the arm and interconnect, mount the arm damper kit, install the outboard power supply/ strobe disabler, bearing thrust pad damper. Upgrade the feet (Isonoes recommended) and cartridge as funds allow.
Your KAB modified table will be competitive with anything near and way more than it's price.
johnnyb53
3,510 posts
 
Bflodave, I think that's good advice. At some point one has to decide how far to self-tweak vs. putting it in the hands of an expert. Technics SL12x0 owners are blessed with a knowledgeable, skilled source (KAB) that also has reasonable prices. I find his low friction hyper litz tonearm wire particularly intriguing.

Bear in mind that Kevin's skeptical of other headshells, but many Technics owners swear by the improvement wrought by the Sumiko/ZuPreme headshells.

Also, Kevin has a routine for bringing a turntable into absolute spec, including balancing the platter to closer tolerances and ensuring that the headshell mount is absolutely level.

The Isonoe footers may be the best available, but they're pricey, and I wouldn't be surprised if the Vibrapod Cones plus Isolators at $56 total were competitive. My Vibrapods are audibly better than the $85/ea. Navcom Silencers.
rlwainwright
1,904 posts
 
I know nothing about this turntable. But I will say that you have gotten some very good advice from seemingly knowledgeable folks. I think I would lean towards sending the table to KAB for refurbishing...

-RW-
martinman's avatar
martinman OP
91 posts
 
Hi Everyone,

Just wanted to loop back give an update. I ordered a few things to aid in setup: HiFi News setup record, Shure stylus force gauge, bubble level.

After a complete setup things sound much better. Using the proper tools - I found that things were not setup optimally (surprise!). I leveled things out - table and and azimuth, both slightly out of spec. I found that my tracking force was way off - almost .3-.4 off. Before, I was using the "float your tone arm" method of force. Anyway, that wasn't too accurate of a method. So, I setup a 1.8 tracking force. Finally, I used the HiFi news setup record and found that a 2.5 anti-skate was the best. Originally, I had this matched to the downward tracking force.

The bad news, is that it didn't pass the torture track, and only had slight minimal trouble with the track before it.

Anyway, things sound a whole lot better!
onhwy61's avatar
onhwy61
5,153 posts
 
Don't use the Hi-Fi New anti-skate tracks. Search the archive for why.
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