1210 leaves me cold

[Mikeandvan]

Just got one, with a Jelco 750 D arm, couldn't wait to switch it off. Why??? It looks so nice aswell. Can't wait to plug my Heybrook TT2 back in tomorrow.
Sounds lifeless, closed in, and just plain horrible, a Rega p3 would outdo this. Is it really so bad in its stock form? Don't really wanna spend £100s modding, as yet its given me no reason to like it. And after initial excitement about all those light and switches, I'm now rather 'meh', pointless bloody pitch control, and I only got about 10 45s! So if anybody wants a mint (and I mean mint) one with a mint 750 D, it'll soon be in classifieds I expect.

[Audio Al]

Just got one, with a Jelco 750 D arm, couldn't wait to switch it off. Why??? It looks so nice aswell. Can't wait to plug my Heybrook TT2 back in tomorrow.
Sounds lifeless, closed in, and just plain horrible, a Rega p3 would outdo this. Is it really so bad in its stock form? Don't really wanna spend £100s modding, as yet its given me no reason to like it. And after initial excitement about all those light and switches, I'm now rather 'meh', pointless bloody pitch control, and I only got about 10 45s! So if anybody wants a mint (and I mean mint) one with a mint 750 D, it'll soon be in classifieds I expect.

Something must be wrong somewhere , With the better arm and a std 1210 they sound decent , You don't say what cartridge you are using ? I use the 45 rpm for selected 12" singles

[ludovico]

Just got one, with a Jelco 750 D arm, couldn't wait to switch it off. Why??? It looks so nice aswell. Can't wait to plug my Heybrook TT2 back in tomorrow.
Sounds lifeless, closed in, and just plain horrible, a Rega p3 would outdo this. Is it really so bad in its stock form? Don't really wanna spend £100s modding, as yet its given me no reason to like it. And after initial excitement about all those light and switches, I'm now rather 'meh', pointless bloody pitch control, and I only got about 10 45s! So if anybody wants a mint (and I mean mint) one with a mint 750 D, it'll soon be in classifieds I expect.

Yeah, there is something wrong with your setup, because the Jeclo 750D is one of the best tonearms in the market. My stock SL1210 does not sound decent, it does sound fantastic compared with either a Rega P3 or a Thorens 160.

[cuddles]

The pitch control is very useful if you are a musician and want to play along with a record

[dave2010]

I haven't got one, don't know much about it, but it does sound as though this might helpfully be checked out by someone in the area.

If others are suggesting it should be good, and yours doesn't to you, then before abandoning it it could be worth seeing if anyone can help.

What's the cartridge? What doesn't sound right?

[CageyH]

Different people want different things. One deck does not fit all.
If it is set up correctly and you don't like it then it is time to move it on.

[tlscapital]

Well, I did have a second hand SL-1200 MKII some 15 years ago. Then got a new Stanton ST 8-100. I play mainly 45 from the sixties and seventies so the start-stop thing is indeed rather convenient coupled with a nervous motor. Some 6 years ago only I got convinced by some audio-geek to switch for some "vintage" phono set-ups accordingly. I didn't understand what it meant and implied sound wise but I didn't like the idea of the fake wood plinth, worn top-plate and stained platter of an "old" turntable... So I was very reluctant to go all the way since I was and am still very happy with my contemporary (year 2000) amp & pre-amp mainly.

First I accepted to go for "vintage" speakers to indeed a first acknowledged improvement. A while after I invested in a Denon DL-102 mono cartridge that required a fitting tonearm. On a budget I got a Thorens TD-147 'Jubilee' fitted with an SME 'Improved' tonearm. I would never have believe that I'd switch from direct drive to belt drive. But after the first play I was totally convinced. Open and airy thanks to the belt drive and suspended chassis against the closed and muffled sound of the direct drive and ultra damped plinth. The start-stop thing and the quick start became irrelevant advantages in comparaison.

I now have worked on my SME tonearm and Thorens turntable to blow their potential to great-great satisfaction sound wise as visually. I could never go back to those DJ turntable ! Now, they are convenient to DJ with, but I've even DJ'ed lately once with a pair of Lenco's L-76 and once with only one L-75 (in a bar so the "blanks" between the singles were not "chocking") to great enjoyment. Only less confortable without the start-stop thingy... not to worry, I always was old school there and I "select" & DON'T "mix" my records...

[CageyH]

You certainly are not des ribi g my SL1200, but it is not standard.
I would also not agree that the standard platter is overdamped. Yes the mat is not particularly great, but is cheap to change.

[tlscapital]

I am not dissing the SL-12x0 turntable or those who can enjoy their "improved" versions. But they were made and designed for DJ purpose. That is fine and I can believe they can be "converted" into a "homie" TT doing a proper job. Still I (myself that is) can't go back to it now that I've letted down my pre-conceptions about new versus vintage. I'm even more critical now that my ears are "judgmental free". Now it also depends on the format of music you are playing and indeed the cartridge you have accordingly or not. I've heard once a real nice fully revised vintage 10.000 € phono set-up doing a magnificent job with jazz LP's and doing the worth job with 7 inches. So there you go also.

[CageyH]

One small point - The SL1200 was originally a home HiFi deck, later adopted by DJs.
You don't like it. I accept that we are all different.
One day I may find a different turntable that I prefer, and more importantly, can afford, that is better than my SL1200. At that point, I will also move on.