The $2.95 Technics upgrade

[worrasf]

How is this possible? :mental:

Purchase and install a piece of thrust plate support wax from KAB for $2.95 -

According to the KAB site (http://www.kabusa.com/frameset.htm?/m1200.htm) "The Support wax is a firm, yet flexible wax that fills the void in the base below the thrust plate. It improves platter support and mechanical grounding."

For the time being I have decided to stick with the stock Technics bearing but even though my deck is only 2 years old and has had light use I decided to install a new OEM bearing and was keen to try the KAB support wax so bought both from KAB together with some more oil - total cost $48.35 including shipping or £30.43 at today's exchange rate - darn it a new OEM bearing from the UK is £31 including postage :eyebrows:

All arrived today and the new spindle was swapped in in less than 20 mins.

The instant result was better focus and separation and tighter more tuneful bass. I guess some improvement is from a newer spindle but I suspect the majority of this definite sonic improvement is from the support wax.

OK the upgrade was $48.35 not $2.95 but for £30 I have a new bearing and a significant improvement in sound. I am sure this is but a taste of what a MN bearing can do but for now I'm a happy camper. :)

I'm going to ship my old bearing off to applied fidelity (http://www.appliedfidelity.com/) to get it converted.

:cool:

Steve

[Tarzan]

Let us know how you get on with the Applied Fidelity bearing mate:).

[worrasf]

Will do - suspect it's going to be several weeks in transit

Steve

[chris@panteg]

Hi Steve

i might try the wax ! as i use a Timestep bearing ' it still has the same thrust plate , thanks :).

The bearing mod will be very interesting ! there is always a 3rd way and i would expect it to be very good .

[DSJR]

Those outer plinths look the dogs danglies too. Can anyone make a UK sourced one for the same or less?

[Gdg]

Those outer plinths look the dogs danglies too. Can anyone make a UK sourced one for the same or less?

http://vantageaudio.com/info/sp10acc.htm

look for "SL-1200/1210 Lower Plinth upgrade"

[colinB]

He was going to be an agent for KAB . Looks like that has fallen through.
It also looks like he is now selling a 1200 PSU.

[CageyH]

I have just bought some carnuba wax to give this "mod" a try.
If it does not work, then a bit of heat will let me remove it.

[struth]

If it doesnt work it will shine your furniture nicely.. i use it a lot.

[CageyH]

Or one of the cars.

[struth]

Sure :).

[CageyH]

Well, the wax is in.
I have deliberately overfilled the "well" and warmed the wax up with a hot air gun (the hair dryer blew the small flakes everywhere!) and then dropped my bearing into the wax whilst still in a hot liquid form.
The bearing is now pretty much supported below the level of the deck. Does it sound better? I have no idea.... I can't remember what it sounded like before.

I didn't take any pictures as I had to work quickly to make sure that the bearing sat down enough in the wax to keep the bearing aligned and the platter level.
This won't work with a standard bearing, but most of the upgraded bearings which are fully enclosed should be ok.

[RickeyM]

I was considering doing the same thing. How much wax did you use? I think my bearing has been "run-in" enough to get an idea how the sound would change with the addition of more support.

[CageyH]

I will weigh what is left and let you know later today.

[CageyH]

Including a bit of waste, 14g of wax was used.