New Technics SL-1210 owner

Well, I just bought a 2nd hand SL-1210 turntable to see what all the fuss is about. The seller has it fitted with a DJ cartridge and he sold the original Technics headshell. Since I need to get a replacement should I try and get a cheap Technics or buy something else to use? Cartridges I have are Goldring 1012GX and Nagaoka MP-150. Eventually I'd like to try a Denon 103.

Future plans will include a replacement mat and some of the other tweeks described on AOS. I'm looking forward to some tinkering over the next few months.

Hi Bernie

I suggest get a Sumiko Headshell and try the MP150 , add a 1200 Achromat and see how you get on with it :)

If it grabs you then start thinking about an external psu and isonoe feet ;)

Which model Chris? HS-12? Anybody know the cheapest place to get one from? Fleabay? (~£30)

here you go as good as anywhere !

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Sumiko-HS-12-H...item5add81bbc5

Yep, that's the one I was looking at. I'll order one.

It's a good shell (I use an ancestor of this with the Decca) and the wiring's fine as well.

The Achromat 1200 will work on any deck, not just the Techie, so you won't lose out if you sell on later.

I will be trying to convince the missus that the Achromat would be a great Christmas present. :eyebrows:

Well my SL-1210 has arrived. Wow! The build quality on these things is amazing! I couldn't believe how much it weighs! Makes my Rega feel flimsy by comparison.

I'm still waiting for a headshell to arrive so I can have a listen to it. The Ortofon DJ cartridge it came with has a stylus the shape of a tit! I'm not putting that anywhere near my vinyl. It doesn't even seem to have a point!

Anyway, I gave it a good clean and checked that the speed was accurate etc. I found the pitch control needed recalibrating so I did that last night. It doesn't look like it's ever been opened so that's a good indication it's been looked after.

Now if only that headshell would arrive.

Looking forward to getting to know it better in my system. I can then think about carrying out a few of the mods others on this site have done. I can't wait!

One question I did have. How often should I oil the spindle bearing and what sort of oil should I use? My guess is it has never been done. Can anybody tell me how I could find out how old it is?

Hi Berni

Serial no ? perhaps , you can buy the oil off the bay

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/TECHNICS-TURNT...item3cb2a72c7c


every 2,000 hours or so but yeah oil it straight away.

Get the 1200 Achromat ' you owe it to yourself :) the heavy rubber mat might be a little dull sounding but may sound better upside down ? try it .

Received the headshell in the post (Sumiko) and tried to fit the Nagoaka cartridge to the tonearm. I couldn't balance it and need the additional counterweight. There isn't one included with the table. Does anybody know of a good spare parts supplier for these decks I can order one from?

I fitted the Goldring 1012GX I have and tried it and everything works OK. I set it up roughly, just to make sure both channels played OK.

I downloaded the protractor from VE to set it but the tonearm won't go all the way to the inner reference point. It's the correct version for the Technics. Has anybody else had this problem? Should I just use the details in the mnual and set the distance from the mount on the headshell to the stylus at 52mm and leave it at that? What procedure do you guys use?

Chris, thanks for the link. I'll check it out.

Thanks in advance. :)