Calling all SL-1200/1210 owners!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Marco

there was a flat black & white cable running from the back of the deck (connected internally) fitted with a flat-pinned two-pin plug on the end that connects to the 'sense' socket on the back of the KAB PSU,

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That's the "original" US two pin mains lead and plug.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Marco

and a small thin grey DC cable supplied which connects on one end to the underneath of the deck and the other to the 30V DC socket on the back of the PSU.

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That's the cable that I have to solder internally, it doesn't look too difficult, but I don't have a couple of calm hours to do it yet. It connects to the Bridge rectifier after the Technics transformer. The deck doesn't even have to be fully dismantled to do it.

Indeed, there's a decent mains cable with the PSU, no fuses here teehee :lol:

Your deck is a 110v 60Hz model, anybody that buys a KAB psu in the states doesn't have to ask themselves any questions. Kevin got back to me about the socket and I don't actually need to connect the "sense" socket for averything to work. I'm going to the US in december, but maybe a US based member would be kind to send me a 2 pin plug?

cheers

Quote:

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That's the "original" US two pin mains lead and plug.

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So your deck didn't come already fitted with this? If not, I don't understand why because that's the connector you need to plug into the 'sense' socket on the PSU...

Sorry for being dense but I'm still trying to get my head around what's going on...

Quote:

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That's the cable that I have to solder internally, it doesn't look too difficult, but I don't have a couple of calm hours to do it yet. It connects to the Bridge rectifier after the Technics transformer. The deck doesn't even have to be fully dismantled to do it.

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With mine there is a DC socket the same as on the KAB PSU on the underneath of the deck, so all you do is plug it in.

Quote:

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Indeed, there's a decent mains cable with the PSU, no fuses here teehee :lol:

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LOL. Well, as you know, I use a hard-wired Transparent Reference Powerlink mains lead (which costs nearly as much as the deck itself) - that doesn't have any fuses either :eyebrows:

The supplied lead is just a spare.

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Your deck is a 110v 60Hz model, anybody that buys a KAB psu in the states doesn't have to ask themselves any questions.

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Is it? I wouldn't know. All I know is that I specified the UK mains version (220v) KAB PSU so that it would work on UK mains. How can the deck be 110v and the PSU 220v? :scratch:

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Kevin got back to me about the socket and I don't actually need to connect the "sense" socket for averything to work. I'm going to the US in december, but maybe a US based member would be kind to send me a 2 pin plug?

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I still don't understand why you weren't supplied with the right plug in the first place... :confused:

What came with the deck?

Marco.

I've only gone and trashed my 103pro haven't I... 'kin knuckle dragging neanderthal that I am - tried to clean it having had a few tinnies. It's off to Expert Stylus for a re-build now.

Marco, interesting to read the thoughts on the back of the SP10 v's KAB 1210 comparison, the little brother did itself proud! How are you getting on with the SUT / head amp, which one has been on duty lately?

Feck what a nightmare, mate! Well I suppose you were going to have it rebuilt anyway with a new stylus profile...

Let me know how you get on :)

Yep, little brother certainly did do himself proud. There will be more on this later on the Chesterfest thread once Steve posts the pictures.

I also had some other interesting discoveries at Chester regarding mats and the A23 versus the HA-500 head amp thanks to the help of other experienced ears, so stay tuned!

Marco.

Cool [rubs hands in anticipation]

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Marco

So your deck didn't come already fitted with this? If not, I don't understand why because that's the connector you need to plug into the 'sense' socket on the PSU...

Sorry for being dense but I'm still trying to get my head around what's going on...

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:) Marco's a technophobe, innit ? :)

I bought a 2nd hand SL1210 euro spec in France, it comes with a 2 pin euro plug, in the UK it would have a 3 pin MK plug. It's got the transformer wired to accept 230v (220 to 250 actually) and then pass a reduced voltage to the internal technics PSU. Normally, a bridge rectifier converts the positive and negative cycles of AC to DC. After this there's regulation and smoothing to take out the now 100Hz ripple on the DC. The Kabusa PSU output connection has to be after the transformer and before the bridge rectifier. The bridge rectifier will make sure that the DC output of the KAB PSU is the "right" way up for the rest of the electronics.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Marco

With mine there is a DC socket the same as on the KAB PSU on the underneath of the deck, so all you do is plug it in.

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That's very nice, and is a "value addition" of the KAB modified SL1210 :cool:

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Originally Posted by Marco

All I know is that I specified the UK mains version (220v) KAB PSU so that it would work on UK mains. How can the deck be 110v and the PSU 220v? :scratch:

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That's easy, when you plug your PSU into the KAB1210 your supplying DC to the electronics after the original transformer. So the issue of 110v or 220v no longer arrises. Very often, kit has the same transformer for 110v or 220v, however the transformer has 2 sets of 110v windings. They're connected in parallel for 110v and in series for 220v. Most kit is easy to convert between the 2 (japanese market kit is different, tho', usally it's 100v)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Marco

I still don't understand why you weren't supplied with the right plug in the first place... :confused:

What came with the deck?

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The deck has everything it needs in standard form for a Euro model. The KAB psu was developed as a US market product. The KAB PS1200 works perfectly with a KAB'd 1200, coz as I pointed out it's easy to switch between 110v and 220v and the KAB 1200s take DC into the very nice KAB socket that you have. The original lead then completes a low voltage (5v) sensor circuit that detects when you've opened or closed the on off switch. Kevin has told me that bare wires in the Sense socket will work just as well.

So any of this help ?

cheers

Yep, all is now clear. I'd forgotten you had bought a second-hand 1210, and thought you had ordered a new one from KAB :doh:

Hence my being perplexed at why you didn't have all the right connectors already fitted!

I blame senile dementia :lolsign:

Marco.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Marco

Yep, all is now clear.
I blame senile dementia :lolsign:

Marco.

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wot, Margaret Thatcher ?;)

Hehe... :eyebrows:

So what's the current state of play on your fitting of the KAB mods?

Marco.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Marco

So what's the current state of play on your fitting of the KAB mods?

Marco.

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On hold, I live in a small appartment and I have visitors. Sunday, I'm going to have a closer a look at what I'm going to call KAB stage 1, fitting the power supply cable. As I said it looks pretty easy from the pics supplied with the PSU. It'll stay in stage 1 for a while, I think i'm going to get J7 to fit the KAB tonearm wand and attach a suitable phonocable.

Peter

Sounds like a smart move, Peter. I bet you're like a kid in a sweet shop. Keep us posted as and when things begin to happen :)

Marco.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Marco

Sounds like a smart move, Peter. I bet you're like a kid in a sweet shop. Keep us posted as and when things begin to happen :)

Marco.

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The SL1210 is in the operating theatre :)

The SL1210 is out of surgery, and recovering nicely, pics later.

My now stage 1 KAB Technics SL1210 Mk2 up and running after surgery :-

http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/m...1/IMG_2094.jpg

It turns on as before via the "sense" socket on the back of the PS1200, it accepts the orginal mains wire. It's bare ended, I need a US power plug, which I'll get when possible.

http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/m...1/IMG_2092.jpg

Listening impressions?

Where did the subwoofer come from :lol: !! and where did that renewed treble clarity come from too!

:gig:

Great stuff Peter, excellent pictures that will be a helpfull resource to anyone looking to go a similar route. The fluid damper will be a walk in the park now after that!

Superb pictures, Peter! Like Nick says, they will be a very useful resource for other people contemplating doing the same thing. As such, I think I'll move them to a separate thread and make it a sticky :)

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Listening impressions?

Where did the subwoofer come from !! and where did that renewed treble clarity come from too!

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I told you the PSU was crucial :eyebrows:

Wait till you add the fluid damping trough and Cardas tonearm cable. All in all, it will become a different turntable!

Marco.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Marco

Superb pictures, Peter! Like Nick says, they will be a very useful resource for other people contemplating doing the same thing. As such, I think I'll move them to a separate thread and make it a sticky :)



I told you the PSU was crucial :eyebrows:

Wait till you add the fluid damping trough and Cardas tonearm cable. All in all, it will become a different turntable!

Marco.

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Nick & Marco,

I know it's a simple job, but I was a bit leary.

The tonearm wand rewired with Cardas I have, but I don't feel up to fitting that. I'm going to have J7 fettle it. The cardas wires are extra fine, and I really don't want that job screwed up. I can unfit and refit the tonearm assembly I'm sure.

Thanks

Peter,

I think the way you've done it is much better. You get to hear the incremental benefit of each modification, which is a much more fun and educational experience.

You're doing the right thing getting J7 to do the arm rewire. As you'll soon hear, you'll have a very special deck on your hands, something which will be able to compete with the best - and I mean THE best!

Marco.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Marco

Peter,

I think the way you've done it is much better. You get to hear the incremental benefit of each modification, which is a much more fun and educational experience.

You're doing the right thing getting J7 to do the arm rewire. As you'll soon hear, you'll have a very special deck on your hands, something which will be able to compete with the best - and I mean THE best!

Marco.

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YIKES!! I have Awaken - Yes on the deck now, and it's make me hairs stand up right down to me bum! :gig: That's never happened before.

Awaken has to be one of themost dificult to reproduce tunes any where recorded. It's got Stygian organ pipes as well as kitchen sinks :lol: , seriously there's shitloads going on.

cheers

Nice one, Peter. If you're hearing more from your music that's always a good sign :smoking:

Btw, while you're in contact with Johnnie ask him to give you a small tube of his 'extra-slippy' bearing oil. You'll be able to see where it goes since removing the platter - that makes a noticeable improvement. You'll have to flush out the old stuff, though. You may as well get that done, too, and dot all the 'i's and cross the 't's!

Marco.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Marco

Btw, while you're in contact with Johnnie ask him to give you a small tube of his 'extra-slippy' bearing oil. You'll be able to see where it goes since removing the platter - that makes a noticeable improvement. You'll have to flush out the old stuff, though. You may as well get that done, too, and dot all the 'i's and cross the 't's!

Marco.

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Interesting, is it like the GT85 that Slatedeck reccomends for the "tight" Garrard bearings ?

Have a look, dude. Scroll down and check out the 'Booster Oil':

http://www.audioorigami.co.uk/F_Sale/ForSale.htm

Trust me, it works!

Marco.

Quote:

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Superb pictures, Peter! Like Nick says, they will be a very useful resource for other people contemplating doing the same thing. As such, I think I'll move them to a separate thread and make it a sticky...

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Now done! :)

Marco.

Hi all,
new member to the site and recently aquired a new 1200 to replace a gorbe with a transfi evo arm.
first impressions are excellent but there is an obvious lack of air to proceedings.
I always knew i would have to upgrade various components, primarily the arm wire and mat. i'm currently using the renowned rubber jobbie.
my requests for info are thus:
am i better off getting a full j7 rewire int+ext or going the KAB route with arms,junction boxes etc? i don't mind a bit of soldering, i just don't like destroying new kit! does anyone know how much a j7 rewire would cost compared to the KAB route off hand?
i see that the sds mat gets most thumbs up around here although at the price the srm appears worth a look.
i'm currently using a stock headshell and C/W so these are also on the shopping list
which is the greater improvement arm rewire or psu?
finally, how much is all this going to cost me? i want to keep my initial spend to around £300. dissapointingly i contacted emmodd ref his sale but he appears to have 'gone dark' - if anyone knows if he has actually sold his deck please let me know so i can start looking elsewhere.
many thanks in advance

Gareth.


technics1200/ortofon samba/WDph3s/WAD6550

Hi Gareth,

Welcome to the forum :)

The "lack of air" you're experiencing is most likely down to the poor quality of the standard tonearm cable, which can lend a 'grey' colourless quality to the sound. Rewiring the arm with good quality Cardas cable completely cures this.

Mat-wise, the best thing you can do is buy an SDS Isoplatmat which removes platter ringing and provides a 'solid base' from which to use the mat of your choice to interface with the record. The Isoplatmat is not best suited to this, so here I would use either the stock thick rubber mat on top or a Funk Firm Achromat.

I'm sure J7 could do just as good a job as KAB with rewiring the arm, so that's probably the way to go, and then buy the fluid damper from KAB, which adds silicon damping to the arm and increases its performance significantly. I'm pretty sure this will also be the most cost effective route, too.

The PSU upgrade has without doubt the biggest effect on the deck's performance, followed by the arm rewire. Adding the separate PSU has a fundamental effect of the deck's performance that no other upgrade can emulate - see Peter's (User 34) comments on this in his separate thread on the subject.

As for how much it is going to cost you in total, the KAB prices are clear on the website (fluid damper, PSU), for rewiring you will have to contact J7, and for mats do a search and you'll find all the relevant prices.

If there's anything else I can help with let me know.

Marco.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by muffinman

am i better off getting a full j7 rewire int+ext or going the KAB route with arms,junction boxes etc? i don't mind a bit of soldering, i just don't like destroying new kit! does anyone know how much a j7 rewire would cost compared to the KAB route off hand?
i see that the sds mat gets most thumbs up around here although at the price the srm appears worth a look.
i'm currently using a stock headshell and C/W so these are also on the shopping list
which is the greater improvement arm rewire or psu?
finally, how much is all this going to cost me? i want to keep my initial spend to around £300.

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Gareth,

Welcome to the Technics SL1200/SL1210 bandwagon ;). I have to agree with Marco that the PS1200 is the single most significant upgrade you can do for the Teccie. I bought the PS1200/Cardas Rewired Armwand/Cardas Headshell wires and a few other bits and bobs from Kabusa. In retrospect, I'd say that getting the PS1200 and the Cardas headshell wires from Kevin (KAB) are the only essential buys. Be aware that when importing from the US you'll pay a c. 25% premium to pay for your roads and hospitals, etc.

I'm going to get J7 to fit the Cardas wand I bought from Kevin, because the Cardas wires are extremely fine, and I don't have a steady hand, nor an impeccable Solder technique. Contact Johnnie for a price for an arm rewire, but I think you'd be better off doing things this way. When I'm done I'll have a standard technics arm wand doing nothing, but I can at least sell it on.

So, in short, at less than £300 get the PS1200, and a sumiko headshell.

regards

Quote:

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Originally Posted by muffinman

dissapointingly i contacted emmodd ref his sale but he appears to have 'gone dark' - if anyone knows if he has actually sold his deck please let me know so i can start looking elsewhere.
many thanks in advance

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He advertised his deck on the WD forum also. He has posted on there that the deck is now sold.

http://www.wduk.worldomain.net/forum...ead.php?t=4534

Cheers...

Thanks for the replies.

emmodd did get in touch - shame that. it does look like i'll get get the arm sorted and the psu at the same time. i'm trying to save a few quid on it though (every little helps after all). what i may do is get the cardas arm and plate from KAB and then hopefully get j7 to put it all together depending on how i feel about the undertaking. i'm waiting on a Kab shipping quote but the flat rate is such that a cardas arm and headshell leads is £110. j7 quotes £130 for the same (99 for int re-wire, 50 for ext, 30 for headshell). i will of course have a spare arm to sell which, even if it makes a tenner (combined with the re-wire saving),will pay for a sumiko headshell. swmbo has upped my budget to £500 even though 'i won't be able to hear a difference' :ner:

i'll keep you posted on progress and findings

Quote:

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Originally Posted by muffinman

Thanks for the replies.

i'm waiting on a Kab shipping quote but the flat rate is such that a cardas arm and headshell leads is £110. j7 quotes £130 for the same (99 for int re-wire, 50 for ext, 30 for headshell). i will of course have a spare arm to sell which, even if it makes a tenner (combined with the re-wire saving),will pay for a sumiko headshell. swmbo has upped my budget to £500 even though 'i won't be able to hear a difference' :ner:

i'll keep you posted on progress and findings

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Looks like we're headed down the same path ;)

cheers

Whats the difference betweem the Mk2 and Mk5 ???

Does this look like a good deal or what?

http://www.superfi.co.uk/index.cfm/p...Product_ID/228

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Shian7

Whats the difference betweem the Mk2 and Mk5 ???

Does this look like a good deal or what?

http://www.superfi.co.uk/index.cfm/p...Product_ID/228

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It's a very decent price. Mechanically no difference between a mk2 & a mk5, only speed adjustment difference and no hinges on the mk5, maybe some other trivial stuff, like a push button reset on the pitch control.

regards

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Shian7

Whats the difference betweem the Mk2 and Mk5 ???

Does this look like a good deal or what?

http://www.superfi.co.uk/index.cfm/p...Product_ID/228

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i got mine from hughes in norwich 4 weeks ago -http://www.hughesdirect.co.uk/produc...earch=technics[ it was out of stock then also. they had a few on the books that had not made it onto the web. got a 1200 for£250. i believe they had mk5 for £350. they are a white goods store but sell mid range hifi and i've always had good service from them. they may be worth a call.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by user34

It's a very decent price. Mechanically no difference between a mk2 & a mk5, only speed adjustment difference and no hinges on the mk5, maybe some other trivial stuff, like a push button reset on the pitch control.

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Yep, but you're forgetting that the MK5 (G) has a titanium armtube instead of the stainless steel one on the MK2, and it also has 'audiophile grade' OFC tonearm wiring and high quality RCA sockets and connectors as standard ;)

However, if you're going to have the arm rewired with Cardas cable it doesn't matter. The titanium armtube is significant, though, as it increases rigidity and improves sound quality accordingly.

Marco.

Scoobs,

There's a crumb of an idea in you breadbin. I think the silver sand, granite is maybe over kill, but, why not? I showed Mrs user34 your breadbin, and she wasn't impressed, I think she prefers the unsullied good looks of the stock SL1210.

Anyway, I'm wondering about a KAB breadbin with a slatedeck slate shelf hidden in it.

Too many toys, too little time. I have to get the streaming rig in order before going hell for leather on the SL1210. Although I'm going to organise the J7/Kab mods for the arm in the next week or so.

cheers

Quote:

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Originally Posted by user34

Scoobs,

There's a crumb of an idea in you breadbin. I think the silver sand, granite is maybe over kill, but, why not? I showed Mrs user34 your breadbin, and she wasn't impressed, I think she prefers the unsullied good looks of the stock SL1210.

Anyway, I'm wondering about a KAB breadbin with a slatedeck slate shelf hidden in it.

cheers

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Yeah, it's not to everyones taste, but for me it hides a multitude of sins and I like the deep plinths of retro turntables, so that was just a geeky indulgence.

Perhaps Mrs user34 would prefer your 1210 clad in zebrano?
http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee15/indypepa/p1.jpg
http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee15/indypepa/p3.jpg

or maybe plain ol' maple
http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/e...pepa/plin1.jpg

Me I like the Maple

And me... Nice clean lines, it doesn't draw attention to itself :)

The 'Zebrano' looks like it's been designed by a chest wig-wearer for a tart's boudoir in the 1970s.

Marco.

So where do you get 'em made ?

Sacre bleu, 3.44am your time!

What were you doing up at that time, mon ami - returning from a tart's boudoir? :eyebrows:

Marco.

I don't think my missus would like being referred to like that ;) I couldn't sleep so she couldn't sleep so I couldn't sleep so she couldn't sleep, so I went to the study.

Is it noisy or something where you are in Paris? I seem to remember in the past similar tales of insomnia...

Or maybe you're both just too excited about the forthcoming arm rewiring on your 1210 :eyebrows:

Marco.

clamps.
What's the word in teccie town on this subject? I've been using michell clamps for the last 7yrs but had to sell my last one with the Gorbe. Should I replace with the same, go for a massy affair or will a clearaudio plastic jobbie do the trick?
Id like to hear views on the relative benefits as many of my records warrant such an item.

Muffters,

The jury's out on clamps as far as I'm concerned. I got the KAB one (with drilled-out threaded spindle) and it had next to no effect, save perhaps adding some unwanted damping, resulting in a slightly 'thicker', more ponderous sound. I prefer no clamping at all and for the record to 'float' freely on the platter. This makes for a more dynamic and involving presentation, certainly in my system.

However, I know of other people who use clamps on SP10s and claim they work very well, and of course with Mitchell decks it's a prerequisite - but then they were designed from the ground up to work with clamps. I think that's the whole point: if clamps are an integral part of the manufacturer's design then you're more likely to get a positive effect with them than when added as an aftermarket 'tweak'.

YMMV, though! :)

Marco.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Marco

Is it noisy or something where you are in Paris? I seem to remember in the past similar tales of insomnia...

Or maybe you're both just too excited about the forthcoming arm rewiring on your 1210 :eyebrows:

Marco.

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No my neighbourhood is pretty quiet. It's the endorphin effect, mostly.

Ah, I see. I know having been there on numerous occasions that Paris can be one way or the other.

We must hook up next time I'm over. I'm sure you know of all the best 'haunts' where one can indulge in consuming fine food and wine without paying tourist prices :)

Marco.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Marco

I'm sure you know of all the best 'haunts' where one can indulge in consuming fine food and wine without paying tourist prices :)

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I don't go out as much as I once did, so actually knowing where the best places are, I'm out of touch. My favourite restaurants are, almost, all in the provinces ! On the whole, eating out in Paris is going to be a safer bet than London, but you may be dissapointed compared with Florence. I've also reduced my vino consumption by 66%! down to 1 bottle a week for 2. Which does mean we can treat ourselves to better ;)

regards

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My favourite restaurants are, almost, all in the provinces !

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As is usually the case in large cities. I know when I was last in Paris (some 5 years ago) there were quite a few excellent restaurants, mainly family run, on the Left Bank tucked away down side streets, which were populated entirely by French people without a 'Menu Touristique' in sight. The food was quite superb, all home-cooked, accompanied by some inspired wine lists, and it wasn't terribly expensive. Sometimes you even got live Jazz music thrown in...

Those are the sorts of places I like to frequent :smoking:

Lunch at Maxim's can be fun, too, though!

http://www.maxims-de-paris.com/RECEP...T-US/paris.htm

Apart from the superb food, I love the décor and the whole overall ambience.

Marco.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Marco

I know when I was last in Paris (some 5 years ago) there were quite a few excellent restaurants, mainly family run, on the Left Bank tucked away down side streets, which were populated entirely by French people without a 'Menu Touristique' in sight. The food was quite superb, all home-cooked, accompanied by some inspired wine lists, and it wasn't terribly expensive. Sometimes you even got live Jazz music thrown in...

Those are the sorts of places I like to frequent :smoking:

Lunch at Maxim's can be fun, too, though!

http://www.maxims-de-paris.com/RECEP...T-US/paris.htm

Apart from the superb food, I love the décor and the whole overall ambience.

Marco.

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Never been there! Know where it is tho'. I have been to a couple starry restaurants in paris, but these days stick mostly to home cooking;).

I think we've drifted very much off topic, maybe you should cut and paste to another thread, or even delete these posts ?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Marco

Muffters,

The jury's out on clamps as far as I'm concerned.

Marco.

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Ta for your reply. however, i picked up a michell clamp today. a few of my records have the odd warp - mostly newer vinyl actually. i just considered that if i'm going to buy a platter mat then surely ensuring a consistent interface is the best way to go. of course, both mat and clamp are readily removeable and saleable. i'll let you know how it goes.
news on the tweak front - sumiko headshell is here. thruno weight is being born as i write and i'm just waiting on a payment link from KAB for the psu,cardas arm,turret terminal and cardas headshell leads.
i have a fornight off soon so i'm going to be able to hear a progression and report back. i'm really looking forward to the psu as it has been 'bigged up' so much.
finally, i'm conflicted about which mat to buy. the originlive is currently the most appealing as a few have decided they can live without the sds. also the sds, as marco said, is not a final solution and would require a further mat. there does not seem much info on the srm and people appear underwhelmed with the achromat. jeez, when did this become such a minefield?

Nah, Peter, a bit of thread drift is good to add some diversity, but we'll get back on-topic now :)

Muffters, I'll come back to you later!

Marco.