Hi from Wrexham

[DarrenHW]

Hi All,

This is my first post on here, I have just acquired a Technics SL-1200 MKII which I am interested in modifying and this looks like the place to be in like minded company.

I dipped my toe into Vinyl about 18 months ago when I picked up an old Yahama Direct Drive turntable for a couple of quid. My brother has had my Mothers old Beatles collection in the loft forever and I thought it would be worth seeing what they were like, as I'm sure you can guess after a new Cartridge and a bit of cleaning and lubing I couldn't believe my ears! This lead to a succession of Turntables, Garrard GT85, Technics SL-D210, Technics SL-B20, B&O BeoGram 3000 and a Technics SL-230. The Technics SL-230 (with AT455) was definitely my favourite, it was easy to use and sounded great, however the B&O sounded better when getting to the end of an LP and so rather unhappily I learnt about IGD! In search of a solution I paid a visit to my local HiFi store in search of a suitable cartridge but was advised my troubles could be as much turntable as cartridge. Feeling rather deflated and wishing I'd never learnt what IGD stands for I left with 2 choices a Project Debut Carbon with an Ortofon 2M Red or a Technics SL1200 with an AT440MLa. As you've probably worked out from what I've already written, I went for the Technics so please anyone out there with any opinion one way or the other let me know if you think I've made the right decision!

I do plan on making a number of modifications to the Technics, nothing that will set the world alight but modifications I've read about of here and other website and would be most grateful for any input, namely:

Sorbothane Feet (Sound HiFi).
Mount PSU Externally (There is a DIY on here by 6L6).
KAB Cardas Arm Wire Set.
KAB TD-1200 Fluid Damper.
Main Bearing (Sound HiFi)

The rest of my system is predominantly Home Cinema, Onkyo TX-SR607, Q Accoustics 5.1, Technics RS-AZ7 Cassette Deck, NAD 5224 CDP, Project Phono Box SE.

I do currently have a pair of Technics SB-4500A speakers, which I am (kind of) in the process of building new cabinets for, which I hope to follow with new Bi-wired crossovers. This is a project that I was very naive about undertaking an now realise I don't have the knowledge to complete the crossover work without simply copying the old XO's but I will keep reading and hope the Eureka! moment comes sooner rather than later! I am also looking into building a Valve Amplifier and Phono Stage and some point in the future. I am currently looking for a USB ADC to enable recording onto HDD, so any recommendation in the ~£150 bracket very happily recieved, or any info on DIY projects if anyone is aware of such a thing?

Musically, I'm pretty eclectic, but my favourite records come in the form of Eighties 12" Singles, I grew up in the Eighties (or at least got older, still waiting to grow up apparently!), so it's my "era", but I think they sound amazing, I don't know why more material is not available at 45RPM! I love just about anything by Kate Bush and of the music I listen to regularly I believe demonstrates the biggest difference between CD and Vinyl, and I have a number of Pink Floyd records (most of which came from dusty boxes from car boots, so are nowhere near pristine!) I do have a 1st Pressing of The Wall which whilst not without it's flaws still sounds amazing, the only other material I have that comes close to sounding that good is a SACD of War Of The Worlds, of which I have literally been a lifelong fan!

So, if it's not too rude I'd like to ask a few questions. I

have the SL-1200 MKII (mfg 2004) with a brand new Audio Technica AT440MLa, I have used the overhang gauge to set the cartridge and currently have 1.4g tracking weight and anti skating set to 1.4, does this sound about right / any alternative suggestions I did use the Beawald protractor on the SL-230 but only because I didn't have an overhang gauge.

The Tonearm has a slight creak when moving back and forth can anyone tell me where this should be lubed / what to use?

Turn table mat? I've read that the Acromat by Sound Hi Fi is a top performer, does anyone know of a suitable mat that allows air under the record? I experimented with a Spot Mat with the SL230 and couldn't believe the difference it made, is there such a product / DIY that is compatible with the SL-1200?

Thanks in any advice in advance, thanks for making such a massive resource available and thanks for having me!

Darren.

[Marco]

Hi Darren,

Welcome to AoS - nice to see you here and great intro! :)

Where in Wrexham are you? I'm in Acton. With regard to your Technics T/T, you're more than welcome to pop along sometime, with some of your favourite albums, and have listen to my turntable, which if you read my signature below, you'll see has been extensively modified.

If/when you visit we can discuss your plans for the future modifying of your turntable, as I have a fair bit of experience in that area ;)

Hope you enjoy the forum!

Marco.

[jollyfix]

Hi Darren,
welcome to AOS, i would take up Marco's kind offer , he knows his stuff when it comes to Technics T/T.

[Andrei]

'Ello from downunder. It appears that owing a 1200 / 1210 guarantees life membership.

To attempt and answer to one of your questions: do a bit more research on the Acromat before making a purchase. I bought one and it is too thick and so I can't get the VTA (or SRA for that matter) correct. I got the mat that is 5mm thick but the 3 mm version is probably what I should have got. The subforum of Techiepedia http://theartofsound.net/forum/forumdisplay.php?46-The-Techiepedia may have the answer.

[Oldpinkman]

Andrei that doesn't sound right. The stock technics has plenty of vta adjust and I'm pretty sure it was a 5mm mat I used on it. You are replacing the original mat with it I take it. Is the denon cartridge rely tall?:scratch:

[Andrei]

Darren, just ignore my last post will you. In light of Richard's comment I have checked and put the Acromat back on and all is good. I have got an excellent angle - pretty much 90⁰.

Richard, ta for that - not sure what I did wrong last time, I wasn't smoking anything - I promise: just proves that even the 1210 is not foolproof.

[Oldpinkman]

No worries andrei. Enjoy them little bubbles ;)

[DarrenHW]

Hi Marco,

Thank you for the very kind offer, I must admit I've read a number of your posts on here and have checked out your more than impressive vital statistics before! I didn't realise before I found forums like this just however versatile the T/T was and you certainly seem to have an uncompromising approach to modification. I'd love to have a listen thank you, although I feel this may be a double edged sword, ignorance is sometimes bliss, I've only just got this set-up and still working my way through the burn in period of the stylus, I get the distinct impression you're going to rain on my parade! Do we exchange details over PM?

Whilst I'm on here are there any particular articles / posts on here you could point me towards to further my knowledge as a responsible SL1200 owner?

Thanks,

Darren.

[DarrenHW]

Hi Andrei,
Ignored as suggested, thanks for taking the time anyway! This does lead to the question of what are you using if not the Acromat? I followed your link earlier and it seems the favourite choice is the Oyaide, did you get one frisbee'd over?

[pjdowns]

Hi Darren and welcome to the forum :)

[Andrei]

Hi Andrei,
... This does lead to the question of what are you using if not the Acromat? I followed your link earlier and it seems the favourite choice is the Oyaide, did you get one frisbee'd over?

I had the Origin Live mat on my previous turntable, and it did a competent job. I tried the Acromat on the Technics, but - and I really can't explain this - it did not fit, so I went back to the Origin Live. Again it was ok. Yesterday I put the Acromat back on and ... well its a keeper. This weekend I will get out my DSLR and Tripod and fine tune the VTA using the the macro function for close-ups on the DSLR. Last night I listened to a few tracks of Elivs (Living Voice 45 rpm) and the Violin Concerto by Max Bruch, about an hour all up with the Acromat. Too short a time for a definitive conclusion but at the moment I am a happy camper. I did think about the Oyaide but was put off by the cost. In New Zealand the 2nd hand hi-fi market is very much a buyer's market so I could not afford to try both the Acromat and the Oyaide as I would not get much back on resale on the 'loser'.

[Marco]

Hi Darren,


Thank you for the very kind offer, I must admit I've read a number of your posts on here and have checked out your more than impressive vital statistics before! I didn't realise before I found forums like this just however versatile the T/T was and you certainly seem to have an uncompromising approach to modification. I'd love to have a listen thank you, although I feel this may be a double edged sword, ignorance is sometimes bliss, I've only just got this set-up and still working my way through the burn in period of the stylus, I get the distinct impression you're going to rain on my parade! Do we exchange details over PM?


Sure - pop me a PM and we'll sort something out. When I reply to your message, I'll give you my phone number and we can have a chat about all things Techy! :)


Whilst I'm on here are there any particular articles / posts on here you could point me towards to further my knowledge as a responsible SL1200 owner?


I'd start off by checking out all the 'Sticky' threads in the Techiepedia part of the Analogue Art section of the forum :cool:

Marco.