Calling all SL-1200/1210 owners!

Guys,

I thought that I'd report on a very quick, free, and simple tweak. Try removing the small rubber washer fitted to the arm's detachable headshell, or the ZU Supreme if you're using one of those, so that it results in superior coupling between the arm and headshell and thus increases the arm's overall rigidity. Tighten up the collar and play... :)

You should notice an improvement in the sound's overall 'focus', with vocals in particular being reproduced more clearly and with better definition. While you're at it clean the brass pins on the end of the headshell bayonet fitting and the ones inside the tonearm with isopropyl solution.

I'm also currently experimenting with upgrading the supplied thin grey DC lead that KAB supply with their external PSU, which I believe is holding back performance somewhat, with some woven Kimber cable shown here (available to order separately) on the SqueezePak PSU:

http://www.russandrews.com/product.a...PZIMOXPVHTKTVJ

Initial results are very good indeed and suggest that it's quite a worthwhile upgrade - full report to follow.

Marco.

If you didnt have an headshell there would be 8 less pin contacts to worry about.plus 4 less solder joint at the back or the armtube bayonet socket.

:lolsign:

Hahahaha... Aye, but you wouldn't have the convenience of being able to run two or three different cartridges already fitted into different headshells, and swap between them very easily when you feel like it, either! :eyebrows:

Marco.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Marco

Hahahaha... Aye, but you wouldn't have the convenience of being able to run two or three different cartridges already fitted into different headshells.

Marco.

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That the same as preference to CD so you don't have to flip the record over for side 2?

:lolsign:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Marco

Guys,

I thought that I'd report on a very quick, free, and simple tweak. Try removing the small rubber washer fitted to the arm's detachable headshell, or the ZU Supreme if you're using one of those, so that it results in superior coupling between the arm and headshell and thus increases the arm's overall rigidity. Tighten up the collar and play.

Marco.

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Hello Marco,

Have you been reading Hi Fi World?

I myself have been looking at a Technics 1200's as a "maybe". I could do with something simpler with a cheaper cart for going through a lot of my records and such, which I can put in the sitting room with a lid to keep prying fingers away.

What upgrades have you given yours Marco?, and any other upgrades you can post pics of and report on or that you have read about?

I myself am "thinking" stock deck for now, but with a decent cart for second hand vinyl.

Maybe later an SME V (or IV or 309).
And an Achromat 5mm.
Maybe feet?

Don't understand why marco don't fit another arm or buy a 'SP10'! Or is it the headshell thing you keep it for Marco?

LOL.

Andre,

The detrimental effect of the detachable headshell is minimal, trust me, and completely outweighed by the effect of important modifications that have been carried out to the arm (Cardas arm rewire, fluid damping, brass counterweight balance, metal alloy headshell, etc) which allow it to compete sonically with any fixed headshell 'hi-end' tonearm up to £1k.

Yes, I've compared it to the various Regas (Origin Live modded and others), Hadcocks and SME Series M2s of this world, and they're not any better I can assure you (just different in presentation). The bearings on the Technics arm are also smooth and of good quality. It's actually very well engineered. So, mate, worry not about detachable headshells if the arm as a whole is a well-sorted and thought out design ;)

Plus also, if I bought a tonearm with a fixed headshell I wouldn't be able to use an EMT XSD-15 or an Ortofon SPU, would I? And I definitely want to own both of those cartridges at some point soon! Eventually, my cartridge 'portfolio' will consist of both of those plus my various 103s, all set-up in their own headshells, which is quite a nice selection of cartridges to have, and only achievable if I've got an arm with a detachable headshell :smoking:

Of course I could shell out serious money on a really top-notch arm if I wanted and no doubt it would be better but that would completely defeat the purpose of me buying the deck in the first place. Anyone can chuck money at hi-fi and buy the most expensive bits, if you can afford to, but getting maximum sound-per-pound and owning something different that's a true giant-killer takes a bit more thought and intelligence :)

SP10s? I love them, but my modified SL-1210 gets me about 95% there (I've heard SP10s in comparison) without any worry about things going pop and then not being able to replace the parts!

Marco.

P.S Steve (Sastus) I'll come back to you later. There's quite a lot to discuss with the points you raised.

To cut all that short. 'SP10'/'SME 3012R'...I might like you a bit more then

:lolsign:

Maybe, but that's also not without its problems.

And faced with the choice of fannying about searching for suitably mint and fully operational, reliable, versions of the above at a decent price or simply just enjoying music on my (already superb) KAB-modified SL1210, let's see how long it takes me to make up my mind, big boy...

[One-millionth of a nanosecond later]

The SL-1210 option wins!! :lol:

Marco.

But but but :doh:

:lolsign:

I'm giving some thought to getting myself one of these beasties - have considered going the KAB route as a 'turn-key Super-SL', but quite like the idea of getting a good clean used 1210. I'd mod it myself using the OL Rega armboard and bunging a Tecno onto it, then doing the mat and feet thing.

Could be fun. :)

(and I still think the 1210 looks damn smart too) :)

Right...

I've been threatening to do this for about four months, or thereabouts, so I think the time has come to sit myself down in front of the laptop for an hour or two and write a detailed report on the KAB Technics SL-1210, how it compares to a standard 'DJ' SL-1210, LP12s and other similarly 'revered' belt-drives, and a whole host of other stuff KAB SL-1210 related.

Ok, it *WILL* be ready to read in the 'Strokes of Genius' review section before this weekend!!

I promise it will be controversial and make very interesting reading... ;)

Marco.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Marco

I promise it will be controversial ;)

Marco.

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All the better!! Looking forward to it. :)

A couple of guys on 'another' forum have gone for some KABs and been quite..shall we say..'shocked' at how good they are.

At to the Tekky itself - I was in HMV in Uxbridge last week where I found a 1210 sat at the back of the shop, all unloved and cast aside. No headshell nor c/weight fitted (no doubt to stop the local tea-leafs).

Anyway I had a good look over it and was sersiously impressed with its weight and build quality. I actually wanted to carefully tuck it under my arm and bring it back to a good home...give it back its dignity.

Quote:

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All the better!! Looking forward to it. :)

A couple of guys on 'another' forum have gone for some KABs and been quite..shall we say..'shocked' at how good they are.

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I'll do my best, Richard!

Good is a vast understatement, with the arm modified or replaced with something a bit more serious than a Rega, and a decent MC cartridge, I'd go as far to say that aside from a handful of the world's best belt-drives and something like a mint SP10 or EMT, there is no better... It really is that good.

The problem is badge snobs and 'audiophiles' can't see past the name 'Technics'.

Marco.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Marco

The problem is badge snobs and 'audiophiles' can't see past the name 'Technics'.

Marco.

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Moot point Marco - would like to think I've long since managed to get away from that, fortunately. I own a Cambridge Audio CD player (which is bloody good, no excuses needed) so have no issues with 'badges'. ;)

What I'd really like to know re the 1210 is how the KAB would fare compared to a home-sourced unit with the various mods, described in the press, applied to it.

I shall very much look forward to your report. :)

Oh yeah, Marco's definitive 1210 review - I'd forgotten all about it! Look forward to it too fellas, hey how about a piccie of the bread bin to accompany it...give the readers some food for thought eh! :doh:

Rich, I would usually subscribe to the 'build it up slowly and enjoy the journey' approach to upgrading, but in this instance with the technics I would just say go all out from the off and you just wont look back.

:gig:

You'll never live the 'bread bin' down, mate... :lol:

Nick, I've got another 'journey' to take you on with valve amps this time when you get yer taffy arse up here ;)

Hehe...I think you'll enjoy this one as much as the Technics!

Richard, I know you can see the bigger picture but sadly some other people's deep-rooted preconceptions and prejudices run much deeper...

Regarding your question about a modified home-sourced unit, I'll cover that in my review - safe to say though that a significant percentage of the upgrade in the deck's performance is derived from the separate PSU, which as far as I'm aware, no-one has perfected yet in the UK. The internal electronics of the SL-1210 are apparently quite complex and therefore the implementation of a separate PSU is a task not for the fainthearted.

Marco.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Marco

The internal electronics of the SL-1210 are apparently quite complex and therefore the implementation of a separate PSU is a task not for the fainthearted.

Marco.

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Interesting - wonder what KAB have done then to make it really work. I had considered the possibility of going for something like a Speedbox SE or Heed Orbit to plug the 1210 into as they purely re-generate the mains with a rock-solid 50Hz.

I'm reasonably aware of how good a DD TT can be having had a good listen to Guy's SP10 at Heathrow last year, and the chap who I bought my old Expo IX/XI psu/pre off had an SP10 with SME IV which sounded none too shabby. First thing which struck me was the bass - it just sounded so real and its pitch coherence was uncanny.

C'mon Marco, hurry up.... My SL120 should be arriving soon. I'm all ears (eyes?)! :)

LOL. It's on my 'things to do' list, don't worry! :)

Richard,

Quote:

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First thing which struck me was the bass - it just sounded so real and its pitch coherence was uncanny.

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Oh yes, absolutely! Belt-drives sound slow, stodgy, and ponderous in comparison.

The pitch coherence comes from the totally accurate speed stability, lack of stylus drag, and remarkably low levels of wow and flutter.

Marco.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Marco

Oh yes, absolutely! Belt-drives sound slow, stodgy, and ponderous in comparison.

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The Linn the only belt drive you ever owned then?? ;)

LOL, erm hang on... No!

Marco.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Marco

Ok, it *WILL* be ready to read in the 'Strokes of Genius' review section before this weekend!!

Marco.

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C'mon Marco - it's the weekend now!! (only cos I'd got today off) ;)

He's too busy fannying about with valves I reckon! ;)

LOL. Indeed!

I'll sit down tomorrow and write it. Check back around teatime and there should be some reasonable waffle to read :smoking:

Marco.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Marco

LOL. Indeed!

I'll sit down tomorrow and write it. Check back around teatime and there should be some reasonable waffle to read :smoking:

Marco.

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Good man. :)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Gromit

C'mon Marco - it's the weekend now!! (only cos I'd got today off) ;)

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I think's he's running the BBC accounts department behind the scenes, either that or playing wif himself all day. :lolsign:

I'm three-quarters of the way through the report, chaps. I need to do a few other things now so if I don't finish it later it'll get it done tomorrow and posted then :)

If you know anyone from other forums interested in the KAB-modified SL-1210 ask them to come over and join in the forthcoming fun! I intend to make the thread a one-stop reference point for anything you want to know about the subject, and it will be made into a sticky.

Marco.

Ok, it's pretty much finished. I need to go out for a bit now, so check back at teatime and the review will be in this section of the forum on a new thread :)

Marco.

Getting there, folks... Bear with me - there are too many distractions in real life out with of hi-fi!!

Laters,
Marco.

Erm, In the meantime...here's some divine inspiration.
...
Lead Marco not into distraction
but deliver us from belt drive
for thy is the Japanese direct drive
to fit and forget
for ever and ever

amen.

Hehe...don't worry it's coming - and before Christmas, too! :lol:

Marco.

<Time passes>..... I'm just getting the tree and tinsel out of the loft! :upyours: :ner:

WHERE...IS...IT??? :steam:

LOL. Patience, my boy, patience... Good things come to those who wait ;)

Marco.

AND???? :steam:

I know, I know, I know... :o

Blame life (and business) getting in the way!

It will happen soon though, trust me :)

Marco.

The KAB PSU looks interesting, and a good price. But I noticed this:

'The PS-1200 is designed to replace the internal power source of the Technics SL-1200 MK2, 3 or 5 series turntables.'

Does that mean it wont work with a MK1 SL120? :(

Possibly, Mike. I'll ask Kevin (from KAB) for you. I don't think so, though. I think what that's referring to is the MK2, 3 or 5 series SL-1200/1210 integrated turntables. The SL120 isn't mentioned because it's just a motor unit (i.e. not a 1200 or 1210). However I'm almost certain that the motor unit in the 1200/1210 is the same as the one in the SL120, MK1 or not. So based on that, the PSU should work :)

How's it sounding, anyway? You've been very quiet!

Or are you just waiting for my review? ;)

Marco.

It's still in the box! :lolsign:

Hahahahahaha... What are you like? You're worse than me with my bloody reviews! Ok, maybe not quite... :lol:

Marco.

Well!....

As I won't have a phono stage or cartridge till the end of the month (I'm not made of money - sadly) there seem little point is buggering about with it yet. So there! :ner:

Still not stopping you from posting your all singing and dancing guide though, is it?

Bloody slacker! :wanker: :lolsign:

http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/e...a/testcard.jpg

:lolsign::lolsign::lolsign:

LOL! Nice one, Nick :lolsign:

I'm too bloody busy arguing with jc and Ashley!!

Marco.

Leave it Marco,

There's no reasoning wiv da AVI posse!... Word!

:mental:

It's all good fun as far as I'm concerned! :)

Actually, what's happened to the Yaqin has held up the 1210 review.

Marco.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Marco

Possibly, Mike. I'll ask Kevin (from KAB) for you.

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Hi Marco,

Have to got round to doing this yet?

There's no great rush, I'm just curious.

Not yet, dude.

I'll send him an email right now! :)

Marco.

Done!

I'll let you know when I get a reply - should be either later tonight or tomorrow :smoking:

Marco.