Is the SL-1200 transformer hard-mounted to the chassis? Anyone tried dampening it?

[1200reasons]

If the power transformer is hard mounted to the chassis (metal to metal) then perhaps some vibration damping could be provided by using rubber washers/gaskets around the screws and perhaps between the transformer and chassis itself.

Does anyone have any knowledge or experience with this?

[nthall]

I've never done it to a 1200, but I have with belt driven tables that had them mounted on the underside of the plinth. It does visibly reduce noise when you look at it on a scope. I haven't really noticed an audible difference while listening. If the noise is audible with the needle resting on a record that's not spinning it's probably a problem with the transformer, or electricity being fed to it rather than the way it is mounted.



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[dimkasta]

It's not mounted metal to metal. It has rubber dampeners inside.

If you are into mods, have a look at this thread.
http://theartofsound.net/forum/showthread.php?26620-SL-1200-DC-Power-Supply-DIY

It's full of useful info and trials

[Dubster68]

I just removed it and used an external supply.


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[nthall]

I just removed it and used an external supply.


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That's what I did to mine. It was to give it a little more amperage and capacitance though. It wasn't because I could hear the transformer when I was playing a record.

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[1200reasons]

I can't hear the transformer when listening to a record, but when volume is pumped up above listening volume and the needle is down on a record I can hear my amplifier's transformer through the cartridge. If I then turn on the technics I can hear its transformer too.

Not exactly a major problem because this is at above listening level with my ear close to the speakers; but if it's solved with $1 of rubber washers it would be worth the money

[nthall]

It you don't hear it at listening levels you're probable fine. It won't hurt anything to put some washers under it.

It's probably AC hum you're hearing and not the transformers vibrating.

What type of platter mat are you using?

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[1200reasons]

Just using some random rubber mat

Pretty sure it's vibration because it doesn't make any hum when the needle is 1mm above the record, but the second it hits the record it hums

[nthall]

It could be. Usually the mat would dampen anything that minor.

Almost every amp will have some hum if you crank it up and hold your ear close to the speaker. Whether or not you would actually be able to hear it if you were playing music that loud is debatable.

Pulling the transformer out of the table altogether and adding some extra capacitors is worth doing. You have to be comfortable with resoldering, and working with mains voltage. It makes a pretty noticable difference in sound.

I don't know how much putting washers under it would help, but giving it a shot won't hurt anything. It's a cheap experiment, so it's worth a try.

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[dimkasta]

Guys it already has rubber dampeners.

19618

Just go the extra mile and put the transformer in an external box.

[Bacek]

I did it I used rubber dumpers for mounting cd drives.

Black is original, red/green are from cd. Transformer is unscrewed so it shouldn't be transported in this form.

21770

21771

[Dubster68]

I did it I used rubber dumpers for mounting cd drives.

Black is original, red/green are from cd. Transformer is unscrewed so it shouldn't be transported in this form.

21770

21771

Has this sorted your problem Jacek ?:)

[chiz]

Here's another approach - any interest?

D-QhN-vmJxw

More info here (in Spanish)

https://www.hispasonic.com/foros/transformador-toroidal-technics-1200-1210/494953

Apologies if this has been posted before, I only found it today.

[Bacek]

Has this sorted your problem Jacek ?:)

I had no problem with it. ;)
Anyway on measurement there was significant improvement on quieting 50 and 100 Hz mechanical buzz. No cash upgrade worth of every penny.

[Qwin]

Another recommendation for Mounting it external in its own case, that's even better isolated, both mechanically and for EMI :D

[Bacek]

Yes, but my way make all switches to work while with external psu Technics power switch is removed.
I'll try external some point in time but now it's not my priority.

[Qwin]

Yes, but my way make all switches to work while with external psu Technics power switch is removed.
I'll try external some point in time but now it's not my priority.

OK, maybe a later project.
I used the switches and transformer in an external case in my own SL-1200 projects, have a look at the thumbnails towards the bottom here:
http://www.jkwynn.co.uk/Tech_HTML/Tech_Thumbs.html

[cyto]

It's not mounted metal to metal. It has rubber dampeners inside.

If you are into mods, have a look at this thread.
http://theartofsound.net/forum/showthread.php?26620-SL-1200-DC-Power-Supply-DIY

It's full of useful info and trials

I did the DIY external power supply, it did lower the noise floor a bit. Well worth it as a DIY project.

[Dubster68]

OK, maybe a later project.
I used the switches and transformer in an external case in my own SL-1200 projects, have a look at the thumbnails towards the bottom here:
http://www.jkwynn.co.uk/Tech_HTML/Tech_Thumbs.html

Some good ideas there Ken

[Qwin]

Some good ideas there Ken

Thanks Mick,
I've done 3 Technics decks, all had a different approach and I learnt a lot along the way.