View Full Version : Technics SL120
PaulStewart
06-09-2014, 20:32
I've just got a Techy SL 120 with an SME arm base, I'm planning to use it in the studio with, at first with an Origin Live Onyx arm and later, with a Jelco and the Denon 103. Anyone know if the Mike New bearing fits the 120?
walpurgis
06-09-2014, 20:52
Nice old DD TT Paul. I've always fancied trying one.
A SL-120 is a -1200 with no arm. It stands to reason the bearing will fit.
Oh FFS fella's, PLEASE do some homework first before saying such things....
The SL120 is a forty plus year old model, feedback prone if not VERY carefully sited and with a TOTALLY different motor unit, shared with the 110/1100 I believe. There is an inner hub upon which the platter sits, not the cheapskate fitting as on the SL150 and following decks :) The drive isn't high torque quartz locked either, so the extra drag (I said 'drag' not friction) of the MN bearing will do little but slow the deck down I fear. The main bearing on these motors was more substantial anyway I think.
At the time and with an SME 'Improved' fixed shell 3009 fitted, you could play tunes on the top plate while playing. Today, removing the lid, changing the mat and very careful siting should minimise this. Not sure what arm to recommend though (I dislike OL arms with a passion...), but a wooden arm-board may help a bit as they do with its distant descendant 1200mk2 etc..
walpurgis
06-09-2014, 23:09
So if the SL-120 bearing is "more substantial" would not be possible that it equals the MN bearing in "drag"? I don't know, just asking.
The effort demanded from non quartz locked DD TTs does not seem to be a huge factor. I've used them with heavy mats and large downforce cartridges with no noticeable effect.
http://www.mains-cables-r-us.co.uk/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Technics_SL120.jpg
SL120... :)
DSJR - Thank you for the information, that helps quite a bit. :)
Oh FFS fella's,
BTW, abbreviated or not, I don't appreciate the language. :(
Dull sounding deck the SL-120 IMHO or OTOH you could argue its just neutral. Never quite got on with it and much preferred the KD-550 which had more 'character'. The motor unit and spindle are integrated not separate, so the MN bearing is not relevant...
WOStantonCS100
07-09-2014, 04:45
DSJR - Thank you for the information, that helps quite a bit. :)
BTW, abbreviated or not, I don't appreciate the language. :(
More pics/info on the SL-120 from an AOS sale post: http://theartofsound.net/forum/showthread.php?216-FS-Technics-SL120-TT
With Technics, the designations become important. An SL-120MK2 is an armless SL-1200MK2 (just as an SL-150MK2 is an armless SL-1500MK2 but sans the suspension). As such, the MN bearing will fit an SL-120MK2. The armless SL-120MK2, IIRC, has four holes (rather than three) to mount a Technics armboard, say for an SME (I have one that came with an SL-150 or armless SL-1500 and not compatible with either the SL-1500MK2 or the SL-150MK2). I know, I know. Endless trivia. It keeps my away from drugs. :)
EDIT: Oh, hey... look what I found...
http://classichifi.info/JPEGs/Technics_SL120MK2_3.JPG
All interesting stuff, chaps, most of which I didn’t know. So, the question is, does Paul have a MKII SL-120 or a MKI?
Marco.
Interesting I had a MK1 then...
Stratmangler
07-09-2014, 08:47
so the extra drag (I said 'drag' not friction) of the MN bearing will do little but slow the deck down I fear
Have you actually handled a MNB?
Just to put your comment into context.
I think the answer is probably no, so any comment you make regarding the MNB is pure speculation. Such comments cannot be taken seriously!
PaulStewart
07-09-2014, 12:21
All interesting stuff, chaps, most of which I didn’t know. So, the question is, does Paul have a MKII SL-120 or a MKI? Marco.
On the original ad it said it was a Mark 1 on the shipping notice I received it says SL120mk2 so until it arrives Tuesday :scratch: As needless to say, nobody is there over the weekend.
The mk1 was very neutral IIRC, so I'll give it a go. My Japanese ex NHK mate, is saying Jelco all the way for the 103
My Japanese ex NHK mate, is saying Jelco all the way for the 103
Hi Paul,
As you know, I totally agree with him. Let us know, mate, if your Techy is a MKI or a MKII :)
Marco.
Have you actually handled a MNB?
Just to put your comment into context.
I think the answer is probably no, so any comment you make regarding the MNB is pure speculation. Such comments cannot be taken seriously!
People do this all the time - talk about things of which they have not experienced. One's ideas do not come from experience alone, they can come from deductive reasoning, speculation or other sources for that matter, one may have been told something by someone. Just to take a random example. Vehicle A has a more weight, a larger profile viewed from the front, and a larger engine than Vehicle B. It is reasonable to extrapolate that vehicle A will have a higher fuel consumption. Hell, I expounded many theories of the female anatomy before I actually handled one.
In the case of a MNB I would reason that there is more drag because the bearing has to rotate within a bath of oil, which the standard bearing does not. As it happens my recollection is that the spin down time for the MNB (power off, not the stop button) is that it is faster to stop than the stock bearing. In principal the drag is not a good thing though the motor / servo appears to cope with it.
Clive197
08-09-2014, 08:04
I've handled a MNB ( David had one at Whittlebury Hall last year). It is very stiff to turn as against the stock bearing and would cause drag as DSJR has suggested IMO.
I would also like to point out that I'm not being critical of the MNB just that I felt that DSJR's comment had validity.
Clive
Actually a small amount of drag maybe a good thing as the servo will have something to work consistently against. On the PFM speed analysis thread there where plots showing how beneficial it could be when applied correctly using highly viscous oil. ;)
PaulStewart
09-09-2014, 23:30
OK it's arrived and it's a MK1 with an SME armboard. The original feet are missing and have been replaced with three metal cones and plates which I'm not sure of. Pics to follow later as i'm hell busy at the moment, but the lid is a brand new really substantial after market one in a really nice 6mm perspex. For what I paid for it I'm reasonably happy and i think it will do the job.. I now need a Rega to SME adaptor, anyone know if sound supports are still going or have a phone number for them, their webshop is not working and I can't contact them. Or does anyone know of an alternative adaptor, that's cheap and well made?
Cheers
Hi,
congrats to your new deck!
Just bought a SL-120 a month ago as well. Got an armboard for my LAD Jelco derivate from Soundsupports an I must say it sounds better
than my SL-1210 with the same arm/cartridge combination. Even my wife recognized it from the first song playing. Choose a good tonearm and
pick a good platter mat and you should be fine and just listen to music.
Cheers
Joerg
OK it's arrived and it's a MK1 with an SME armboard. The original feet are missing and have been replaced with three metal cones and plates which I'm not sure of. Pics to follow later as i'm hell busy at the moment, but the lid is a brand new really substantial after market one in a really nice 6mm perspex. For what I paid for it I'm reasonably happy and i think it will do the job.. I now need a Rega to SME adaptor, anyone know if sound supports are still going or have a phone number for them, their webshop is not working and I can't contact them. Or does anyone know of an alternative adaptor, that's cheap and well made?
Cheers
You'll get one from Origin live
Have you actually handled a MNB?
Just to put your comment into context.
I think the answer is probably no, so any comment you make regarding the MNB is pure speculation. Such comments cannot be taken seriously!
The MN spindle feels 'stiff' in comparison with the stock item. This stiffness isn't friction, but drag caused by the very tight tolerance and lubricant. Not a criticism at all sir, so please don't take it as such. The non-quartz Techie direct drives don't have the torque in them and are not over servo'd either. A suitable slightly viscous oil is all that's needed for these earlier bearings IMO.
P.S. Judging from some measurements made by Timestep some time ago, the MN bearing characteristics may well be better suited to the SL1200mk2 electronics, smoothing the very rapid servos out a little better - this latter comment being supposition and gleaned because most if not all who've bought an MN bearing prefer it sonically!
Just bought a SL-120 a month ago as well. Got an armboard for my LAD Jelco derivate from Soundsupports an I must say it sounds better
than my SL-1210 with the same arm/cartridge combination. Even my wife recognized it from the first song playing.
Hi Joerg,
That’s very interesting and confirms what I’d always thought: that the original ‘Techy’, in stock form, is better built and sounds superior to its more modern counterpart.
Could you expand a little on the sonic differences you perceived between both T/Ts, and if necessary, ask your good lady for her input? :)
Marco.
PaulStewart
13-09-2014, 10:26
Right the Sound Supports SME adaptor arrived really quickly, so a big thank you to Shaun. Last night I fitted the Origin Live Onyx arm, and tried out a few carts. The Denon 103 sounded good with the Pro-Ject phono box but I want to use the TT directly in to the phono input of a Sony broadcast mixer so will need an SUT for that. Tried a Stanton 500 and that wasn't bad at all. However the surprise for me was that the Shure M75ED I found on. A Gl78 I bought to do up, sounds really good in the arm/TT combination. Really busy on a commercial video edit this weekend, so pics will follow later.
PaulStewart
18-09-2014, 21:59
After a lot of playing about, until I can get the right SUT for the 103, the jury has decided on the Shure M75ED, through the Sony MXP-290 broadcast mixer's phono stage it sounds both more detaied and dynamic than Stantons. The mixer routes through a Focusrite Saffire Pro 40 and via Firewire in to the Mac. Once digitised the first stage is either, if the vinyl is relatively crackle and click free, into Logic Pro or if it needs de-clicking, into either CEDAR or Alpinesoft Vinyl Studio and then gets loaded into Logic. For those whomare interested the CDs and tapes come from Denon pro kit, the CD via S/PDIF straight into the Saffire.
You should hear the results from the next show :)
Powered by vBulletin® Version 4.2.3 Copyright © 2025 vBulletin Solutions, Inc. All rights reserved.