new SL1200 mk2 ...next step please

[the engine]

Ok...picked up a minter for £200 . Hardly used. absolutely standard and no tweakes or mods. SO....Were do I start techie dudes ?
I run a full gyrodec with an audiomods IV arm and an ortofon 2M BLACK cart as my main record player and I'm gonna be honest with you....even with a new cart , and good placement on a soundstyle rack , the Technics is way way below the gyro music wise. But ....for reasons you will all appreciate it has a charm all of it's own . I like the deck because of the fun factor , looks , because it's an Icon , and because I know it's capable of much more. I do want to improve it. SO...FIRST TWEAKS PLEEEEEESE:scratch:

[the engine]

And my first real question . Is the standard SL1200 bearing strong enough to take a record weight ?

[Tarzan]

And my first real question . Is the standard SL1200 bearing strong enough to take a record weight ?- Yes.

First things first- Vantage Audio feet.:)

[the engine]

Thanks....and the effect ?

[chris@panteg]

Thanks....and the effect ?

Opens and widens the soundstage , the bass sounds tighter and more linear , or just more focused .

[the engine]

I'm on the case.

Anyone like to post a top ten tweaks/upgrades in order of effect per pound ?
I'm not into putting an SME IV on just yet. Just the fagin cheap stuff please for now.
It'll save me pestering ya'all.
And it might be interesting to compare peoples views on it.
:hmm:

[MartinT]

Ok, ignoring PSUs, bearings, platters, replacement arms etc. which are all fairly pricy, your best cheapo mods are the following:

1. Feet - Chris has already suggested the Vantage feet, I use Isonoes, both are good.
2. Mat - you absolutely must get rid of the rubber mat. The Funk Achromat is the one to have but it's a bit pricy. You might find a felt mat cheaply on e-Bay.
3. Weight - lots available, such as the Bruil, or use the Michell clamp which is dead cheap and very effective.
4. Support surface - make sure it's level and firm. The feet will do the isolating but everything helps.
5. Headshell - the standard Technics one is poor, buy a Sumiko which won't break the bank.
6. PSU - not expensive, but you need DIY skills. Remove the internal PSU and put it in an external box.

By the way, you don't want to put an SME arm on it, common as muck. Target a Dynavector ;)

[Wakefield Turntables]

ivor,

go to the techypedia sub forum and research. All your questions will be answered.

Andy

[DSJR]

Agree with MartinT here, apart from the felt mat thingy... The platter, even with its added rubber damping underneath, seems to ring a bit and a felt mat does little to stop this getting through, whereas the rubber techie mat will, taking other things with it probably. Around £20 on eBay, but the Acrimat ('scuse spelling) may make an excellent alternative to start with, especially if held to the platter with a smear of vaseline or glycerine, the latter almost setting like glue after a few months...

Maybe not as good (I haven't compared), but a cork mat on top of the supplied rubber one may work well and supports records so well resonance wise, that a heavy weight or clamp may not be necessary IMO (can't be a*sed with all this nonsense and it's never spoiled my appreciation of a good pressing...)

[MartinT]

Yes, on reflection the Achromat is really worth every penny, and must be bonded to the platter. Vaseline works very well and still allows the mat to be removed when necessary.

[Stratmangler]

The feet are truly awful and need to removed.
I used sorbethane feet for a good while to support my deck. I've recently bought some Isonoes, which has improved things no end.

The mat is not good - I have replaced it with a cork one from Ebay http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/XTM2-287-CORK-TURNTABLE-MAT-TECHNICS-SL1200-ETC-/110924259574?pt=Turntable_Parts_Accessories&hash=item19d399e0f6
I have a Funk Firm Achromat arriving sometime soon, so I'll get to hear how good that is.

Removing the PSU & transformer from under the platter brought a big improvement too - it's a good cheap tweak.

You can reduce platter resonances quite easily by shoving Blu Tack in the recess behind the magnet boss - I removed the boss and stuffed it full with the stuff, other folk have tried it and prefer less.

I can't comment on any of the arm tweaks as my deck came armless with a Rega armboard fitted, so I fitted my tweaked up RB250.

[DSJR]

By the way, a Sumiko style headshell is excellent for medium compliance mc cartridges and the stock shell, with Nerve Audio or equivalent headshell-wires, should be fine for most "mm" style cartridges such as Ortofon OM,2M VM, Shure 97XE, Stanton 681EEE mk3, and the AT 440MLa for instance.

[the engine]

Confession.... I have an achromat .
No vaseline though. Doesn't that ruin the mat and make a mess ? What about blutack instead ?
I also have a gyrodec clamp so I'm up and running lol. I don't want to appear thick but a more detailed blue tack in the platter explanation would be well good. Looking at my plinth from the side when running there is a slight rise and fall of about a millimetre ...is that normal ? I would think not. Oh , and bugger....I've just spent £20 on a technics headshell DOH.
I was going to ask about the power supply removal but as you can see I have been advised to search the archives.....not as fun but I'll go for it.
Thanks anyway gents. ( that's not to say advice given here won't be welcome . You know.....what to put it in , cost , where to get it done etc )
Ta.....Iv.

[MartinT]

Confession.... I have an achromat .
No vaseline though. Doesn't that ruin the mat and make a mess ? What about blutack instead ?

Vaseline is good because it bonds with a very thin layer. It doesn't make a mess if you're careful! It cannot ruin the Achromat since you can easily scrape it off. Blutak would leave air gaps so a no-no.

[MartinT]

Ivor - this thread (http://theartofsound.net/forum/showthread.php?t=19656) leads off to all the threads you need.

[the engine]

Excellent matey. Thankee kindly