SL-1200 Platters, bearings, mats and PSU's, cartridges, arms, and more...

[colinB]

One thought I had, is that even though the SL1200 chassis is carrying much more weight with the MN platter & bearing/plate, I do not believe it is 'overloaded' or that the drive system is overtaxed.
On the contrary, I am hearing the best vinyl playback ever out of this deck, and I would bet that it rivals super high end decks.
I also have the Hynes PR3HD power supply module in a DIY PSU I built (equivalent to the SR5)

I think if there is anything to be gained, the very last smidgen of improvement might be realized with a whole new plinth, which is vastly stiffer than the SL1200 chassis. But this is only speculation on my part.

Hey... someone ought to design one Please add provision for both 9" and 12" tonearms as well.

So the difference between the SR3 and the SR5 is the internals such as the transformer and not the regulator?
I really must stop being a wusse and order one from Paul. I seem to have lost my confidence with DIY electronics but it does look straight forward.
I think the deck could be improved with a good plinth that supports the chassis and not just the four corners.

[pure sound]

The friction in the MN bearing is perhaps a little more than the Technics one, and that is all the motor is driving against: friction.

Why does the friction need to be greater? If the fit really is closer then surely a less viscous lubricant could be used.

[colinB]

Thanks, Colin. I not only love the sound of my SL-1210 but am happy to help others achieve its potential, too. Also happy to have members around for a listen if you can get to Basingstoke.

I would love to hear your system one day Martin. Could do with the inspiration. I know my deck is only half finished and i would like to take it to the next level.

[Mike_New]

Pure Sound.
The clearance on my bearings is measured in microns so the oil has to be held in the bearing material. This is done by having a honed cintered bush which is vacuum impregnated with oil. The big secret is to obtain as tight a fit as possible and still allow the spindle to rotate with low viscosity oil of the highest grade. The ideal bearing would be a 6" shaft securely bolted to both the platter and the chassis, but I feel that it might not rotate very well.

[Ammonite Audio]

So the difference between the SR3 and the SR5 is the internals such as the transformer and not the regulator?
I really must stop being a wusse and order one from Paul. I seem to have lost my confidence with DIY electronics but it does look straight forward.
I think the deck could be improved with a good plinth that supports the chassis and not just the four corners.

Since I have both the SR3 and SR5, I can tell you that the differences include the transformer and the regulator circuit, both of which are much beefier in the SR5.

[pure sound]

Actually, the ideal bearing would have zero friction.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lOTWx69mghM

[colinB]

Since I have both the SR3 and SR5, I can tell you that the differences include the transformer and the regulator circuit, both of which are much beefier in the SR5.

With the standard platter do you think the SR3 would be sufficient ?

[MartinT]

I would love to hear your system one day Martin. Could do with the inspiration. I know my deck is only half finished and i would like to take it to the next level.

Just let me know when

[Clive]

Actually, the ideal bearing would have zero friction.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lOTWx69mghM

Thinking of just the bearing that is true. But as part of a drive system that's not necessarily the case. It can be that some resistance helps with motor control for instance.

[pure sound]

Given that a motor control system has already been designed for & fitted to the 1210 it'd seem sensible to keep the mechanical & dynamic characteristics of any retro-fittable parts close to those of the originals ie masses, friction etc.

Is it being asserted that using a bearing with greater friction and adding a heavier platter somehow makes better use of the 1210's motor control system than the original items? It'd be interesting to know if there's any actual measurements to support this. (Please note, I'm not doubting that the new platter & bearing change & possibly improve things, I'm just interested to learn how & why)