Calling all SL-1200/1210 owners!

[Mike]

Hmmm... I rather like the look of those things.

[Marco]

Nice one, Rich. I hope it works out well for ya

Have you had a chance to play around with the Sumiko and Zu yet? I'll probably need the Zu back soon to use with another cartridge I'm trying (and the leads too if you don't want them) so let me know the score

Marco.

[Gromit]

Nice one, Rich. I hope it works out well for ya

Have you had a chance to play around with the Sumiko and Zu yet? I'll probably need the Zu back soon to use with another cartridge I'm trying (and the leads too if you don't want them) so let me know the score

Marco.

Hi Marco - funnily enough I've spent the morning comparing the 2 headshells and also swapping the cables around. Between the headshells there's absolutely no difference that I can detect - I even weighed them on a jeweller's scale on which they weighed exactly the same (12.7g with the Cardas leads).

The leads are very close - the Cardas is perhaps slightly more brightly lit with the Sumiko (litz) leads being a tad more forceful.

A useful exercise and one which makes one realise the benefit of headshell/lead changing on these sorts of turntable/tonearms.

I can't use the AT headshells unfortunately as the Dorian has its own threaded body.

[Marco]

I didn't think there would be much, if any, difference between the headshells. The only reason I went for the Zu was because I didn't like the fact that the fingerlift on the Sumiko (a completely detached affair) was in a different finish to the headshell itself (purely a visual thing) and I felt the metal alloy construction on the Zu appeared to be finished to a higher standard (it seemed more nicely polished). That's the way it looked anyway on the respective websites!

Regarding cartridge leads, try going back to the standard ones on the Technics headshell and see what happens... So, yes, you're right it is a useful exercise in comparing the effect of different leads. It also gives you an idea of what to expect when the arm is fully rewired with decent cable.

This will apply to the arm in the Pioneer as well as the one on the SL-1210. I still feel that the 1210 has the more potential, especially once the separate PSU has been added. I'd lay a bet that a fully KAB modified 1210 would outperform the Pioneer, Audioorigami rewire or not! Perhaps we could have a shoot-out of both decks when you've finished your fettling?

If you no longer need the headshells, leads and counterweight balance pop them back to me in the post. What are you doing about mats, btw?

Marco.

[jimb0]

My brass counterweight arrived from John this morning which I will try today. I also got a second technics headshell for fiver off the bay. It came with a freebie cartridge body attached - an ortofon OM series, anyone know if it's worth getting one of the better styii for this?

[Marco]

Yes, if you want to become a DJ; no if you don't

Marco.

[Yomanze]

Look what the postman brought me this morning



John is a gent & pleasure to do business with. Plus, I am enjoying much better sound. :smoke:

[Peter Stockwell]

Look what the postman brought me this morning
John is a gent & pleasure to do business with. Plus, I am enjoying much better sound. :smoke:

And he only sent it out yesterday! I know, mines on the way, with a bit of luck I'll get it in less than two weeks

[Marco]

Nice one, Yom!

The brass counterweight balances make quite a difference, particularly when you're using a 103. What improvements have you noticed?

Yes John is a great guy. Hasn't posted here for a while, though... Is his health ok do you know? Last time we spoke he wasn't very well.

The Sumiko you've got looks a bit different from the ones I've seen shown here:

http://www.needledoctor.com/Sumiko-HS12-Headshell?sc=9

Does it still have the separate stainless steel finger lift?

Marco.

[Yomanze]

I haven't noticed a lift, but don't need it :P The logo is different on my headshell as Sumiko has re-branded, mine looks identical to the one if the pic apart from that. The most immediately noticable changes to the sound is it sounds more "solid" and tangible. Decay on instruments more pronounced & vocals sound great. Will have a proper listen though before I say more!

John seemed fine health-wise, he has just knocked out three sets of counterweights hehe.