2. analog
  3. 1020136790

Time to get things straight.

Every person that states the Technics 1200 is THE best TT in its price class risks himself to getting Flack from the belt drive crowd. I have posted that Thorstens speaks highly of it and here's some of his quotes as posted in the Asylum:

"And yes, the 1200 with a better arm is dynamite. Even stock with minimal tweaks it's an easy Rega P2/3 killer."

"So don't knock it if you don't know it. A Rega Planar is a cheap bearing and Motor stuck into a piece of MDF, the engineering content for all intents is ZERO. The only worthwhile thing on the Rega is the Arm."

*********

And from Steven Rochlin:

"Hmmmm... I DO AGREE that the 1200 does not have the overall "ultimate" PRAT of my VOYD setup (or a finely tweaked Linn LP12), though overall it really does have nice, smooth, consistant PRAT that blows away even the $20k+ Goldmund Reference and the like. Maybe the 1200 does not the worlds best PRAT, but DARN good. Over 10,000 dance clubs around the world prove it virtually every night."

"The Technics SL-1200 in its various offerings are EXCELLENT!!! Do not listen to those "belt drive only" folks. Wonder if they know that the highly praised Goldmund STUDIO turntable was direct drive? Anyway, the 1200 is probably THE BIG BARGAIN in turntable land. Great motor, good platter, built to take a lickin' and keep on tickin' (with apologies to Timex, whose watches ALWAYS broke after a month for me).

"Over the MANY years I have used more than i care to remember 1200 tables at MANY clubs. They ALL worked flawlessly and even after all the, er, um, abuse of back scratching and needle dropping and vinyl dropping they just kept going and going. IMHO there is pretty much nothing on the new market under $800 that comes near the 1200 in speed stability, drive, and overall PRAT (pace, rhythm and timing). Given the right needle i can only see great things UNTIL you get the upgrade itch and go for a used Linn LP12 or VOYD. Besides, what other "audiophile" table would you play Led Zeppelin backwards to hear all those Satanic messages? Oh how about ELO backwards to hear the secret message?"

****

Wake up, people!!!

So much for glass and particle board...
psychicanimal
harhau
19 posts
 
Psych,

I am using a Grado Blue on my 1200mk2. Works like a charm. I don't think that this is shielded any better than other Grados. I just installed the fluid damper on my deck - too early to pass a verdict as my phono amp requires some work.

I do intend to play with replacing the original S-shaped tonearm tube with a straight DIY carbon fiber and/or carbon fiber/alu composite arm tube while continuing to use the rest of the arm assembly (including the KAB fluid damper).

With my budget, I think the 1200mk2 is a good starting point. At one point I bought a used Rega Planar 3 with an Elys cartridge - it offered (to my ehh...silver ears) no striking advantage over my (then) Technics SL-D3/Grado Blue combo. Later I have learnt that the Elys is somewhat of a dud. Anyway, I sold the Rega for a nice profit and bought a used SL1200mk2 for $100. Bought a new spindle ($26) and the KAB fluid damper ($149) - with access to a machine shop I should have made it myself... And this is where I am at the moment. The SL1200mk2 provides a nice inexpensive base for fun projects such as a new arm tube, external power, new internal wiring etc. Will it be 'high-end'? Don't know. Does it offer musical enjoyment? You bet!

- Harald
psychicanimal OP
1,738 posts
 
I originally started using a Gardo Blue since I had two housemates, one with little children visiting on weekends.

I don't think it's a good idea to change the arm. If you already have the damper, then the power supply is the next major step. If you're in Norway it might be cheaper to get an industrial DC power supply new or from eBay. Marigo dots work wonderfully in my tonearm/cartridge.

The important is to isolate the TT as best as you can. I use a Dennensen air suspension platform on mine.
dr_joe
160 posts
 
I have my doubts about the inherent superiority of either belt or direct drive: it all depends on how the engineers have implemented the basic principles, on parts quality and on manufacturing tolerances.

The owner of KAB is right when he emphasizes that most companies just don't have the resources to build something like the SP-10MK2 or SP-10mK3.

And other posters are right when they emphasize that it's pointless listening to an ex-radio station SP-10MK2 with the arm and cartridge that were originally mounted, as these were always low quality units chosen, not for their ability to reproduce music, but for their ability to survive the rigours of commercial life.

After many years of using various flavours of LP12 and Thorens, I have settled on the Technics SP-10MKII of which the SL-1200 is a kind of lightweight, budget version. On one unit, which is the professional version with pitch control, I use an early (longer) SME 3009 Series II arm with a newish Shure V15xMR cartridge and am saving up for a local craftsman to build me a 20 kg plinth of russian birch plywood, MDF and corian. On the other unit, which is still mounted in its huge, welded steel McCurdy Industries broadcast stand, I use an Origin Live-modified Rega RB-250 and a Reson Reca cartridge.

I don't know, from my own experience, how these would compare to modern turntables that cost many thousands of dollars. Fortunately--and this is all that really counts--I feel no urge to spend my daughter's college money on one, because what I have fully satisfies me.

Strictly speaking, you can't talk about the virtues and vices of the the SP-10MK2 without talking about the base and arm used--especially the base.

They say the SP-10MK3 remains Dr. Van Den Hul's reference turntable, but I certainly can't confirm this.
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