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WOStantonCS100
30-04-2011, 05:46
Often, I start a post/thread and then that little voice on my shoulder says, "...don't do it..."

I will apologize now if I offend anyone. Moderators feel free to delete if deemed inappropriate or "trolling".

Perhaps I can say this concisely and still get the point across... :scratch:

A plea for sanity?? Hopefully preaching to the choir?? Maybe helping to enlighten non AOS member readers?? I've been watching this play out for a while.

Don't mortgage the house for a Technics SL-1200MK2.

The asking price for used Technics SL-1200's is getting, if not already, a little ridiculous, IMHO. I had 2; but, just to prove a point, I just bought 2 more a couple of weeks ago for not more than £149 each, total. I didn't haggle at all; didn't try to get a deal or get over on the seller. Especially, if you're of a mind to upgrade, consider the cost of upgrades. Spend the big money there. Yes, it's a fine table as is/stock. £149 does not represent it's build quality and quite frankly, it's retail price for decades didn't reflect it's build quality either. But... it's just that there are literally millions of them out there. If you have to, wait a year, wait 'til the madness dies down. There are rare turntables out there. This is not one of them. They are not rare! No matter what ridiculous claims a fleeceBay seller makes, chances are the guy down the street has one he's looking to get rid of because he's given up the idea of making money as a DJ. (Anybody can plug an iPod into a PA and run a playlist these days and save a ton of quid.) Even if you don't see it on auction or online in a store... there are still gobs of 'em out there. Be patient. Buy out of season. FWIW, I purchased the first 2 for less than £90 each (a little clean up, a knob here, a lamp there and they were good to go).

Sadder still, the prices on other Technics tables, that really are rubbish, is jumping up, too. :mental:

I hope this helps more than it offends.

Ok (now I'm really not listening to the man on my shoulder)... Please, don't feed websellers that bought a whole bunch of 1200's before they were discontinued with hopes of selling high (to you). Again, especially if you're eventually going to be following an upgrade path: replacing the tonearm, bearing, platter and psu... right? And for those who may be wondering, I am totally cool with Kevin at KAB, no problems, no issues. I like the guy; bought a fluid damper from him. Good add-on for a stock arm, like it.

:eek: Now I've dunnit.

Spectral Morn
30-04-2011, 06:58
Agreed 100%


regards D S D L

Alex_UK
30-04-2011, 09:05
Nothing wrong with that at all Biff - sensible advice. :)

MCRU
30-04-2011, 10:47
It will be ignored though, even though it's a sensible suggestion, I know 3 people who have paid massives ammounts of money for one and even more to pimp it up, good post though.

I re-plumbed my SL1210 back in earlier in the week as I had my bearing pimped up for beer money, the first thing I said after listening to the Garrard 401 for a few weeks and then putting my favourite record on the Techy, WHERE HAS THE BASS GONE?

Epicurus
30-04-2011, 10:49
Agreed 1000000000%. The same sort of thing happened in 2006 when the Nikon FM3A was discontinued. Its second-hand price went through the roof; although that was a somewhat different case, since the SL-1200 is a ubiquitous deck, whereas the FM3A was a notoriously slow seller.

chris@panteg
30-04-2011, 14:22
It will be ignored though, even though it's a sensible suggestion, I know 3 people who have paid massives ammounts of money for one and even more to pimp it up, good post though.

I re-plumbed my SL1210 back in earlier in the week as I had my bearing pimped up for beer money, the first thing I said after listening to the Garrard 401 for a few weeks and then putting my favourite record on the Techy, WHERE HAS THE BASS GONE?

Hi David

I noticed this same effect by going from a Valhalla LP12 to a Lingo LP12 , with the Linn it was more a case of better resolution in the bass and less overhang .

Changing from a Timestep bearing to the Vantage bearing , has been a very similar experience for me , curious indeed , but there are a few variables such as trying 4 different cartridges recently which has muddied the pool a little

Jac Hawk
01-05-2011, 11:09
Very true biff, i've only been back into vinyl for a few weeks and i'm astounded not only by the price of 1210's but most other TT's and anything to do with vinyl in general, seems to me that ebay has a lot to answer for with regards to over inflating the prices on any old pieces of crap. Also because vinyl isn't mainstream anymore other TT parifinalia seems to be vastly over priced, i mean £40 for a record brush ffs and i've seen record clamps going for over £300:eek: i know it's not 1980 anymore, and maybe i'm missing something, maybe spending that amount of money on these things makes the music much better, personally i don't think so.

I understand quality costs money, a well engineered arm and TT is in my opinion a thing of beauty, but as biff says Techies are not rarer than hens teath, they're not the sexiest looking deck on the planet and in it's unaltered form isn't going to set the world on fire, it's a great DJ deck no question, but needs fettling to really shine, at the end of the day you can spend £1000's on upgrades and mods, replacing platters, psu's and arms as well as other things, so why pay over the odds for a TT that is going to be chopped up and have most of it's parts replaced?:scratch:

In conclusion all i can come up with is that vinyl is now a specialist market, and because of that fact retailers and people selling gear in general can get a higher price for their items, no way a record clamp can cost £300 even if it was made of gold by pixies in a far off mystical land, someones making a killing somewhere along the line me thinks:eyebrows:

chris@panteg
01-05-2011, 11:36
Very true biff, i've only been back into vinyl for a few weeks and i'm astounded not only by the price of 1210's but most other TT's and anything to do with vinyl in general, seems to me that ebay has a lot to answer for with regards to over inflating the prices on any old pieces of crap. Also because vinyl isn't mainstream anymore other TT parifinalia seems to be vastly over priced, i mean £40 for a record brush ffs and i've seen record clamps going for over £300:eek: i know it's not 1980 anymore, and maybe i'm missing something, maybe spending that amount of money on these things makes the music much better, personally i don't think so.

I understand quality costs money, a well engineered arm and TT is in my opinion a thing of beauty, but as biff says Techies are not rarer than hens teath, they're not the sexiest looking deck on the planet and in it's unaltered form isn't going to set the world on fire, it's a great DJ deck no question, but needs fettling to really shine, at the end of the day you can spend £1000's on upgrades and mods, replacing platters, psu's and arms as well as other things, so why pay over the odds for a TT that is going to be chopped up and have most of it's parts replaced?:scratch:

In conclusion all i can come up with is that vinyl is now a specialist market, and because of that fact retailers and people selling gear in general can get a higher price for their items, no way a record clamp can cost £300 even if it was made of gold by pixies in a far off mystical land, someones making a killing somewhere along the line me thinks:eyebrows:

I agree with you Jac , which is why I'm so chuffed with my other deck , the QL1 ! Bought for £25+ postage and ok , a few quid on servicing and a mod or two , but nothing too drastic and it more than holds its own against my 1210 .

The 1210/1200 if bought cheaply enough , can be improved for not that much money either ! The onboard psu , simply and safely removed to a separate case , have the arm rewired and checked , modify/improve the OEM main bearing , better feet and mat , fit a suitable MM cartridge and you will have something very decent without spending silly money .

DSJR
01-05-2011, 12:45
I ought to say that I don't think the main reason for the Timestep bearing mods was really to do with sonics on the first instance, but more to keep the oil lubricating the bearing tip in one place, as it seems the bearing has the cutout in the lower part exposing the thrust assembly to the elements (and the auto drive cam teeth when there was an autio version).

Using the stock platter, a sensible mat and modest weight if you're that way inclined, a well lubricated stock bearing should be fine and give decades of reliable domestic use I think. The well-lubricated (with original technics oil) SL1500 I have is fine, with no bearing rock and very low friction, the torque available not up to "superior" bearings in any case, even if they fitted.

WOStantonCS100
21-07-2011, 05:10
Well, here we go again... almost.

Last week, I acquired another 1200MK2 for £80. No tonearm, knackered bearing and a missing power switch top. I had an extra bearing left over from a MN upgrade. I can get a power switch top easy enough and I wasn't bound to keep the tonearm anyway. So, now that makes three MK2's and two M3D's. But... I can't see the sense in this anymore. It's a bit ridiculous, and it's time for me to stop. I'm gettin' on the wagon.

DSJR
21-07-2011, 07:50
Am I right in saying that reasonable used ones still go for around £150 over here?

Macca
21-07-2011, 07:54
Am I right in saying that reasonable used ones still go for around £150 over here?

£200 to £300 - if you can find someone selling decent one for £150 take their arm off.

colinB
21-07-2011, 21:31
Well, here we go again... almost.

Last week, I acquired another 1200MK2 for £80. No tonearm, knackered bearing and a missing power switch top. I had an extra bearing left over from a MN upgrade. I can get a power switch top easy enough and I wasn't bound to keep the tonearm anyway. So, now that makes three MK2's and two M3D's. But... I can't see the sense in this anymore. It's a bit ridiculous, and it's time for me to stop. I'm gettin' on the wagon.

Sell the lot mate and buy a gloss black mk5 ;)

WOStantonCS100
21-07-2011, 22:28
Sell the lot mate and buy a gloss black mk5 ;)

You're not far off, good sir. It was never my intention to be a collector of anything but good music. So, there may soon be an exodus of all but the three 1200MK2's.

Colours? There's a powder coat shop within minutes of here. I'm thinking one will be gloss black and two, antique white.

colinB
21-07-2011, 22:34
White would look great.

Thing Fish
21-07-2011, 22:42
I've heard The old 'Binatone' stereo's go for big money these days...:)

colinB
21-07-2011, 22:47
Ha! They might sound better than a Technics but theyre not as pretty.