My Technics SL1200 MKII journey

[Barry]

I don’t like the look of those angled RCA adapters.

Needs must, unless Lee uses interconnects already fitted with right-angle RCA phono plugs. I use some Klotz AC106 cables fitted with right-angle RCA plugs at one end and straight RCA plugs at the other, specifically with the SME M2-12R arm.

[eldarvanyar]

Needs must, unless Lee uses interconnects already fitted with right-angle RCA phono plugs. I use some Klotz AC106 cables fitted with right-angle RCA plugs at one end and straight RCA plugs at the other, specifically with the SME M2-12R arm.

I thought it was quite a good solution and better thank having fixed rca cables. I will look into the right angle rca plugs as that should work even better.
Thanks


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[CageyH]

Needs must, unless Lee uses interconnects already fitted with right-angle RCA phono plugs. I use some Klotz AC106 cables fitted with right-angle RCA plugs at one end and straight RCA plugs at the other, specifically with the SME M2-12R arm.

There are plates that attach near the hinges which allow you to fit normal RCA sockets, and use normal RCA plugs.
There are also kits that grow the bottom of the tonearm base out to use normal RCA sockets.

In my experience, the cheap brass 90 degree adapters don’t do much to benefit the sound.

[CageyH]

I would be tempted to use a box like this https://www.ebay.fr/itm/254506076058
Change the RCA sockets to decent quality ones, and wire the arm directly to the sockets, negating the PCB, so eliminating two joints in the signal path.

[Barry]

If you are going to re-wire the arm, then that is a good idea. However if you can get hold of them, right-angle RCA plugs are no worse a connector than straight ones.

[CageyH]

That all depends on the quality of the RCA connector in question.

[Barry]

That all depends on the quality of the RCA connector in question.

They're all pretty poor IMO.

[CageyH]

Some are better than others. The pure silver Aeco (not cheap) are not too bad.

There is also the option of a DIN socket for the SL1200 arm.

[Marco]

The next stage of updates I will be doing will be an arm rewire using the following from a seller on EBay

‘This is Kit 5 that we do. It is the only one available to give your 1200 or 1210 pure silver Litz wire from your cartridge right through to the RCA sockets.

These kits can be used with internally grounded decks but we prefer to use the earth.

The silver Litz wire specs and info

Each wire is a 7 strand Litz Construction.

Each strand is 0.1mm of 99.999% Pure silver, soft annealed wire giving it a 0.5 mm diameter and is insulated with high quality Teflon and PTFE sleeving. The cable its self is manufactured in one of the most stringently governed factories in the world which supplies and manufactures wiring sets for many of the worlds top end audio companies. Using the most uptown date manufacturing processes of its kind.’

I think that it looks like a good solution enabling flexibility to use different RCA leads.

I want to order the arm tube from KAB in the USA before fitting it.

I am also considering ordering a Linear PSU and regulator to fit as well and then install it all in one go.

Hi Lee,

I think you'll achieve a notable upgrade by rewiring the arm, as I did it myself, years ago when I was using the stock arm with my Techy. Apart from improving the quality of the cable used, the goal really is to minimise the amount of connections/breaks in the signal path, which potentially has the most deleterious effect, so always bear that in mind.

What's the armtube upgrade KAB are doing?

One area you should also address, and which will offer a notable improvement is upgrading the stock headshell, as it's rather resonant and not of particularly great quality (really designed to partner DJ cartridges and entry-level MMs).

A good, and relatively cheap upgrade, in that respect, would be this one from Ortofon (currently on sale with one left): https://www.audiovisualonline.co.uk/...adshell-mount/

It's rather more solid and better engineered than the Technics and will allow your cartridge to perform to a higher sonic standard. Ditto with this from Jelco: https://snvinyl.co.uk/Jelco-HS-25-Magnesium-Headshell

Honestly, you'll hear the difference instantly!

Marco.

[Barry]

Some are better than others. The pure silver Aeco (not cheap) are not too bad.

There is also the option of a DIN socket for the SL1200 arm.

Ugh! - they're 'bullet plugs'.

The option for a mini-DIN connector is better. There are some good quality right-angle types available - even if they are a PITA to wire.