SP10 MKII for sale.

[Andrei]

Here on our local version of ebay is the a Technics SP10 for sale http://www.trademe.co.nz/electronics-photography/home-audio/turntables/auction-759584180.htm
I know nothing more than what is on the web-page. Does this look like a good deal? I am pretty broke at the moment but I could bid and keep it in the garage for a year. Any guesses on how high to bid?

[phonomac]

Hello Andrei,
The SP10 Mk11 in the listing is described as working on all speeds, and has an Audio Technica ATP-12T or ATP-16T tonearm fitted. These were broadcast tonearms most often supplied to radio stations, which might suggest that the deck has seen a lot of use. Nevertheless the SP10 Mk2s are fairly straightforward to work on so even if you needed a new bearing pad (available for example via http://www.theanalogdept.com/user510_sp10_mkii.htm ) it would be simple to do. Also there are no rare ICs in the electronics to worry about. The plinth doesn't look anything special, but given the quoted weight may work very well.

Doing a quick NZD to GBP conversion NZD 600 - 750 would certainly be a good price for one bought in the UK.

Hope this helps

regards

Angus

[DarrenHW]

Hi Andrei, how's it going?

There's one for sale on here http://theartofsound.net/forum/showthread.php?33494-Technics-SP-10-MK-II-amp-PSU-(plus-free-plinth-if-needed).

The arm looks interesting, I'd be interested in it if you do decide to bid and want to offset some of the cost?

On a completely unrelated topic I see in your sig you have a Oppo 105, I'm in a bit of a quanry as to whether to buy a 105 or 103. The reason I'd go for the 105 would be to use it as a CDP and a Pre Amp for Home Cinema duties. How do you rate it's DAC against your DAC-2 / have you used it as a Pre?

Cheers.

[NRG]

There's no dedicated ASIC in the SP10 but the circuit is quite complicated and has many active analogue elements that interact with each other. If you know of somebody local who can service it then it's worth a shot...Oh, check the main bearing wear here will cause big issues, electronics can be repaired...

[Andrei]

There's no dedicated ASIC in the SP10 but the circuit is quite complicated and has many active analogue elements that interact with each other. If you know of somebody local who can service it then it's worth a shot...Oh, check the main bearing wear here will cause big issues, electronics can be repaired...
@ Neal. There is someone: http://www.krebsupgrade.com/ he is an engineer in Auckland whom I know is very good. His reconditioning will be worth it, but as mentioned I am broke (I have descended to instant coffee) so thought if this is a bargain I could grab it cheap and keep it for year till I am back in the money. Incidentally Timestep are doing his upgrades now.

@Darren. I can't give an exact answer because I don't play the same music on the two. I use the 105 for SACD only and the Wyred4Sound DAC2 is fed from my PC where is plays Hi-Res and CD quality Flac files. But with that caveat I can say they are very similar, and they both use the Ess Sabre ES9018 Dac chip. The difference (and I think this is due to the SACDs rather than the equipment) is that the 105 is a tad more truthful on the Truth/Beauty continuum. The W4S is a tad warmer, and for my preferences is slightly preferable. My understanding is that if music is more important than cinema, or they are equally important, then the 105 is the way to go. If you want me to fine tune this then over the weekend I can put some CDs on the 105 and compare that with the rip on the W4S.

[NRG]

I know that feeling of being broke LOL but its only a bargain if the bearing is A OK.