Technics SL120

[PaulStewart]

I've just got a Techy SL 120 with an SME arm base, I'm planning to use it in the studio with, at first with an Origin Live Onyx arm and later, with a Jelco and the Denon 103. Anyone know if the Mike New bearing fits the 120?

[walpurgis]

Nice old DD TT Paul. I've always fancied trying one.

[6L6]

A SL-120 is a -1200 with no arm. It stands to reason the bearing will fit.

[DSJR]

Oh FFS fella's, PLEASE do some homework first before saying such things....

The SL120 is a forty plus year old model, feedback prone if not VERY carefully sited and with a TOTALLY different motor unit, shared with the 110/1100 I believe. There is an inner hub upon which the platter sits, not the cheapskate fitting as on the SL150 and following decks The drive isn't high torque quartz locked either, so the extra drag (I said 'drag' not friction) of the MN bearing will do little but slow the deck down I fear. The main bearing on these motors was more substantial anyway I think.

At the time and with an SME 'Improved' fixed shell 3009 fitted, you could play tunes on the top plate while playing. Today, removing the lid, changing the mat and very careful siting should minimise this. Not sure what arm to recommend though (I dislike OL arms with a passion...), but a wooden arm-board may help a bit as they do with its distant descendant 1200mk2 etc..

[walpurgis]

So if the SL-120 bearing is "more substantial" would not be possible that it equals the MN bearing in "drag"? I don't know, just asking.

The effort demanded from non quartz locked DD TTs does not seem to be a huge factor. I've used them with heavy mats and large downforce cartridges with no noticeable effect.

[synsei]

SL120...

[6L6]

DSJR - Thank you for the information, that helps quite a bit.

Oh FFS fella's,

BTW, abbreviated or not, I don't appreciate the language.

[NRG]

Dull sounding deck the SL-120 IMHO or OTOH you could argue its just neutral. Never quite got on with it and much preferred the KD-550 which had more 'character'. The motor unit and spindle are integrated not separate, so the MN bearing is not relevant...

[WOStantonCS100]

DSJR - Thank you for the information, that helps quite a bit.






BTW, abbreviated or not, I don't appreciate the language.

More pics/info on the SL-120 from an AOS sale post: http://theartofsound.net/forum/showt...hnics-SL120-TT

With Technics, the designations become important. An SL-120MK2 is an armless SL-1200MK2 (just as an SL-150MK2 is an armless SL-1500MK2 but sans the suspension). As such, the MN bearing will fit an SL-120MK2. The armless SL-120MK2, IIRC, has four holes (rather than three) to mount a Technics armboard, say for an SME (I have one that came with an SL-150 or armless SL-1500 and not compatible with either the SL-1500MK2 or the SL-150MK2). I know, I know. Endless trivia. It keeps my away from drugs.

EDIT: Oh, hey... look what I found...

[Marco]

All interesting stuff, chaps, most of which I didn’t know. So, the question is, does Paul have a MKII SL-120 or a MKI?

Marco.