View Full Version : First Technics SL-1210mk2's arriving soon
I've taken the plunge and bought a fully working pair off techies, one is in amazing condition both cosmetically and functionally, the other has a few marks but once again is fully functional.
I don't know whether to keep one as a spare or sell it and basically have he other for free? Whatever I do cas s tight so want peoples advice as to upgrade path...
Would removing the psu to an offboard location (same psu) be worthwhile? If it is the what do I do next, have th arm fettled and rewired or fit another brand or is a bearing a bigger jump?
Tell me your experiences and what you would or wouldn't do again,
Ta in advance,
Des
Stratmangler
31-07-2013, 17:04
Would removing the psu to an offboard location (same psu) be worthwhile?
Most definitely yes :)
Des,l would start off small ( ie VA feet, Sumiko headshell) then see how you get on, if you like that then start with the big tweaks ( bearing arm rewire/ better arm/ cart) the world is your lobster.Enjoy.
PSU - a fantastic upgrade... It's amazing how much cleaner and clearer making the PSU offboard improves the turntable. There are a number of ways to do it, DIY or not. This mod is the biggest bang for the money, as merely taking the transformer out of the chassis and placed in about $20 worth of external box and other bits gives you the majority of the improvement. (Removing the physical vibration of the transformer into the chassis/platter/record/stylus/etc...)
I made the transformer off board, re-located the bridge rectifier, and added a significantly bigger CRCRC (capacitive/resistive) DC filter. The power going into the turntable is much, much quieter.
Many people replace the stock voltage regulator in the chassis, I have that mod still to do. (The part itself is built and tested, I merely need to install it.)
Here's my PSU - http://theartofsound.net/forum/showthread.php?26620-SL-1200-DC-Power-Supply-DIY
A few other things - I've tried a couple of different headshells. There was no real change in my opinion. YMMV
The Funk Firm Acromat is mind-boggingly good. Consider it a 'must'.
The upgrade that has impressed me the most so far was a re-wire of the tonearm. I'm impressed because I wasn't expecting such a marked change for the better. I knew it would be good, but I'm still a bit mystified as to how much better it truly is. This is a fiddly job, but worth it. http://theartofsound.net/forum/showthread.php?26652-Rewiring-SL-1200-Tonearm
Hi Des,
Having owned a techy since 1980 roughly as I used to DJ a lot, I only have 3 at the moment, some fully fettled others sat doig nothing!
I would suggest these in order of budget starting with the cheapest first, the prices are what you can pay but the lower prices give you a good start) .
Feet (about £30-£40 up to £100)
Headshell (£30-£50 up to £225)
Mat (from £10 up to £260)
Arm (from £100 up to infinity, the Jelco being a popular choice about £400)
Record Weight/Clamp (£40 up to £500)
PSU (from £135 up to £1000+)
Bearing (£445)
Platter (£500-£650)
No need to go mental and spend £1000's but a few carefully chosen up-grades will bring rewards immediately.
Hope that helps.
Thanks for the advice everyone, this is going to happen slowly so I'm thinking:
1. Move the PSU offboard DIY (£40?)
2. Feet -sorbothane under the curent feet? Got a bit of it left from shoe inserts I made.
3. Achromat - heard one on a techie straight after the stock mat, WTF!! how can a mat make such a difference (£75)
Then it'll be awhile before an arm rewire or new arm....
Stratmangler
02-08-2013, 11:48
Thanks for the advice everyone, this is going to happen slowly so I'm thinking:
1. Move the PSU offboard DIY (£40?)
2. Feet -sorbothane under the curent feet? Got a bit of it left from shoe inserts I made.
3. Achromat - heard one on a techie straight after the stock mat, WTF!! how can a mat make such a difference (£75)
Then it'll be awhile before an arm rewire or new arm....
All good moves, but personally I'd remove the stock feet and stand the deck on the sorbethane domes.
There's something about the stock feet that does the deck no favours.
Replace the sorbethane with Isonoe isolation feet when funds permit, but get rid of the awful stock feet.
All good moves, but personally I'd remove the stock feet and stand the deck on the sorbethane domes.
There's something about the stock feet that does the deck no favours.
Replace the sorbethane with Isonoe isolation feet when funds permit, but get rid of the awful stock feet.
Do you lose the adjustability though? I may need that as we live in a 130 year old victorian semi, no level floors or dor frames in the house....
Stratmangler
02-08-2013, 17:59
Do you lose the adjustability though? I may need that as we live in a 130 year old victorian semi, no level floors or dor frames in the house....
In which case you need to live with the awful supplied feet ...
In which case you need to live with the awful supplied feet ...
What about those boots that MCRU supplies Chris? Think a set is about £40 unless there are discounts going for AOS members:D
they are reduced for a limited time in my sale here (http://www.mains-cables-r-us.co.uk/turntable-isolation-feet/559-techniboots-support-feet-for-technics-sl-turntables.html)
Stratmangler
02-08-2013, 19:00
What about those boots that MCRU supplies Chris? Think a set is about £40 unless there are discounts going for AOS members:D
I tried the sorbethane domes under the original feet and didn't like the sound.
I removed the feet and sat the deck directly on the sorbethane and things sounded immediately better.
I eventually bought a set of Isonoes and haven't looked back.
The MCRU boots might be an improvement with the stock feet, but as I haven't heard what they do I can't comment further.
I tried the sorbethane domes under the original feet and didn't like the sound.
I removed the feet and sat the deck directly on the sorbethane and things sounded immediately better.
I eventually bought a set of Isonoes and haven't looked back.
The MCRU boots might be an improvement with the stock feet, but as I haven't heard what they do I can't comment further.
Thanks Chris.
Stratmangler
02-08-2013, 23:03
Thanks Chris.
The thing to bear in mind is that the SL-12xx is not a suspended deck, and everything it sits upon has a effect on the way things sound.
The thing to bear in mind is that the SL-12xx is not a suspended deck, and everything it sits upon has a effect on the way things sound.
H'mm, never thought of it like that before, isonoes it is then, how much for a set?
Thanks again
Tony
Do the feet make such a big difference? If the answer is yes then I need to find another way of levelling the deck...
Wakefield Turntables
04-08-2013, 08:54
Do you lose the adjustability though? I may need that as we live in a 130 year old victorian semi, no level floors or dor frames in the house....
NO! The isones are adjustable.
In which case you need to live with the awful supplied feet ...
Or invest in a quality T/T support, which is adjustable, and level the turntable from there - then replace the stock feet with something better. Sonically, you will gain not only from upgrading the feet, but also from providing the T/T with better all-round isolation! :)
However, like Andrew says, if you go for Isonoes, you won't lose adjustability in the first place. I use Isonoes and have my Techy placed on Mana supports, which are adjustable with spikes. This combination offers great flexibility, in terms of levelling the T/T, as well as providing optimal all-round isolation.
Marco.
Clive197
08-08-2013, 08:30
Two days ago my Isonoes arrived, fitted them in a few minutes, put a record on, sat back and listened waiting to be disappointed.
Everything the forum has said is true, the sound opened up, the thickness disguising inner detail disappeared and I am a very happy bunny. The old stock feet have been put in the Technics box in the loft never to see the light of day again.
Adjusting for level was easy.
The only surprise is the wife hasn't noticed.
Clive197
08-08-2013, 11:30
10286
Just thought you might like to see picture.
10286
Just thought you might like to see picture.
Looks great Clive, how much did they cost if you don't mind me asking?
I e-mailed vantage audio re thier feet but never recieved a reply.
Tony
Clive197
08-08-2013, 20:53
Looks great Clive, how much did they cost if you don't mind me asking?
I e-mailed vantage audio re thier feet but never recieved a reply.
Tony
Tony, I bought the Isonoes on e-bay for £109.95 new.
Clive
So maybe take the psu off board first then a set if isonoes.
What do people think of the rb300 on the technics, is it a good choice for £150 including arm board?
Clive197
09-08-2013, 21:06
Thanks Clive.
Tony
Just added the Isonoe Boots for £34.95. Made all the difference and if you will pardon the expression, I'm now cooking on gas. The analogue sounds wonderful.
Collected them yesterday!! One is like new, the other has some cosmetic marking on the top, both arms are solid in every direction, they have headshells and stanton plug in cartridges and as an unexpected bonus both have lids in good condition.
I'm chuffed with them both and plan to sell one when i get back from holiday to help with the cost of the mods I'm going to do.
Audio Al
19-08-2013, 14:18
The analogue sounds wonderful.
Welcome to the analogue side Brother :D
Collected them yesterday!! One is like new, the other has some cosmetic marking on the top, both arms are solid in every direction, they have headshells and stanton plug in cartridges and as an unexpected bonus both have lids in good condition.
I'm chuffed with them both and plan to sell one when i get back from holiday to help with the cost of the mods I'm going to do.
Well done, you are on your first step to vinyl heaven. You must be excited?
I've also bought a lenco gl75 to replinth and fi a new arm too. Maybe a little apprehensive as well as excited.
I'm going to get an armboard to take the rb303 from my RP3, fit it and listen using the same cartridge for a week and then switchback. I want to get the best bang for buck so will compare the RP3 with TT PSU, Technics with same arm and new feet and finally the lenco in a heavy homemade plinth with the rb303. The best two will stay and the other sold to fund a new arm and any further mods...
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