Technics SL120

[DSJR]

Have you actually handled a MNB?
Just to put your comment into context.
I think the answer is probably no, so any comment you make regarding the MNB is pure speculation. Such comments cannot be taken seriously!

The MN spindle feels 'stiff' in comparison with the stock item. This stiffness isn't friction, but drag caused by the very tight tolerance and lubricant. Not a criticism at all sir, so please don't take it as such. The non-quartz Techie direct drives don't have the torque in them and are not over servo'd either. A suitable slightly viscous oil is all that's needed for these earlier bearings IMO.

P.S. Judging from some measurements made by Timestep some time ago, the MN bearing characteristics may well be better suited to the SL1200mk2 electronics, smoothing the very rapid servos out a little better - this latter comment being supposition and gleaned because most if not all who've bought an MN bearing prefer it sonically!

[Marco]

Just bought a SL-120 a month ago as well. Got an armboard for my LAD Jelco derivate from Soundsupports an I must say it sounds better
than my SL-1210 with the same arm/cartridge combination. Even my wife recognized it from the first song playing.

Hi Joerg,

That’s very interesting and confirms what I’d always thought: that the original ‘Techy’, in stock form, is better built and sounds superior to its more modern counterpart.

Could you expand a little on the sonic differences you perceived between both T/Ts, and if necessary, ask your good lady for her input?

Marco.

[PaulStewart]

Right the Sound Supports SME adaptor arrived really quickly, so a big thank you to Shaun. Last night I fitted the Origin Live Onyx arm, and tried out a few carts. The Denon 103 sounded good with the Pro-Ject phono box but I want to use the TT directly in to the phono input of a Sony broadcast mixer so will need an SUT for that. Tried a Stanton 500 and that wasn't bad at all. However the surprise for me was that the Shure M75ED I found on. A Gl78 I bought to do up, sounds really good in the arm/TT combination. Really busy on a commercial video edit this weekend, so pics will follow later.

[PaulStewart]

After a lot of playing about, until I can get the right SUT for the 103, the jury has decided on the Shure M75ED, through the Sony MXP-290 broadcast mixer's phono stage it sounds both more detaied and dynamic than Stantons. The mixer routes through a Focusrite Saffire Pro 40 and via Firewire in to the Mac. Once digitised the first stage is either, if the vinyl is relatively crackle and click free, into Logic Pro or if it needs de-clicking, into either CEDAR or Alpinesoft Vinyl Studio and then gets loaded into Logic. For those whomare interested the CDs and tapes come from Denon pro kit, the CD via S/PDIF straight into the Saffire.

You should hear the results from the next show