The modified SL-1200: understanding the dynamics of 'synergy'....

[Beobloke]

Good! I of course agree.

So tell us now why you think an FX-R is sonically inferior to, say, an SME IV or V? And no, Adam, I'm not going to let you wriggle out of this one!

Marco.

To my ears, every arm I have ever heard is sonically inferior to an SME V, with the possible exception of the Audio Origami PU7.

[JazzBones]

I'm shuffling in here with my two cents' worth on the subject of compatible tone arms. For thirty odd years Panasonic has produced a turntable that has out sold all others, or so I have been told. Its engineering has been admired from the execution to price for the product so the engineers really knew what they were doing. So why oh why has the stock arm been given such dismissive print time, Dave Price of HFW for example? Surely the aforementioned engineers would have engineered an equally sound product for the 12** tone arm albeit under a price constraint. When I first got my 1210 I used the stock arm with a Goldring 1012GX cartridge and it sounded pretty okay by me and nudging me along the upgrade journey. I then substituted the Technics head shell for a Sumiko and that brought an improvement. This leads me to the subject of having the stock arm modded as well. The arm cable would need to go, and Johnny Nielsen (J7) of Audio Origami could then do an internal rewire plus any damping required. The counter weight could also come under close scrutiny and viola, we have an arm of worth until funds permit an upgrade. My upgrade was to have my Linn Ekos transformed by J7, the works in fact and having a close lineage to the Jelco works bundles for me. I also have a Jelco 750D put prefer my Origami Akos

I'm not sure here, but I think Chris P down graded his bearing from an MN to a TS one when DC was putting the frighteners on about oil leaks, overheating etc. I questioned this at the time on the Timestep forum but my post was deleted without an explanation and on that day I left and found a home here at AoS. By all means censor if required but don't gag a valid question! From time to time I have had a look at the TS forum but have stopped doing so as I have become suspicious of any dealer/manufacturer lead forum which I now look upon as being a vehicle to push their products and stock to the fore.

I have digressed here, sorry folkies, but lets have some re-thinking on the Tekko's own stock arm and where it can be taken to?

And now I shall shuffle off and have my evening's tincture

Ron

[prestonchipfryer]

I'm not sure here, but I think Chris P down graded his bearing from an MN to a TS one when DC was putting the frighteners on about oil leaks, overheating etc. I questioned this at the time on the Timestep forum but my post was deleted without an explanation and on that day I left and found a home here at AoS. Ron

I will say that the Mike New bearing is a major upgrade for the SL1200s. Better than the T/S IMO.

[JazzBones]

I will say that the Mike New bearing is a major upgrade for the SL1200s. Better than the T/S IMO.

A hearty affirmative on that one John. I had my MN bearing on soak test non stop for a whole week plus the adjoining weekend to see If I could get it to over heat or leak oil, didn't even make a noise or take time out for a pee, the bearing not me

Back to my drinkee poos old mate

Ron

[MartinT]

and hides the over the top bass inherent in the 1210

Can't agree with you there, Chris. The 1210's bass is certainly tight but most definitely neutral in the frequency spectrum. I've listened to many CDs and LPs of the same music and the balance of both my CD player and 1210 are very close to each other.

[MartinT]

I will say that the Mike New bearing is a major upgrade for the SL1200s

Yes, agreed. Pretty much the biggest upgrade of them all and very much worth the outlay.

[MartinT]

Chris, having previously owned an SME IV (used with a Roksan Xerxes) my memory of that arm is vivid and I have to say that my recollection of it matches very closely with what Marco has been saying. It has stupendous bass, no doubt, but it is highly damped and does, to a degree, crush the life from music.

The comparison with my Dynavector is stark; the DV soars and makes dynamic, exciting, music regardless of genre. This is perhaps why HFN marked the DV down against the SME, together with an inappropriate and mismatched review turntable. They simply preferred the dryness of the SME.

[prestonchipfryer]

A hearty affirmative on that one John. I had my MN bearing on soak test non stop for a whole week plus the adjoining weekend to see If I could get it to over heat or leak oil, didn't even make a noise or take time out for a pee, the bearing not me

Back to my drinkee poos old mate

Ron

Certainly no oil leak here either. As a matter of fact I did take it out to have a look, the bearing that is. That was when I tried the TS bearing. Not a candle, not a candle. Soon replaced the MN bearing.

John

[Marco]

This is perhaps why HFN marked the DV down against the SME, together with an inappropriate and mismatched review turntable. They simply preferred the dryness of the SME...

...and/or because, due to commercial pressures/bias, they found it 'easier' to criticise the DV (tiny company, less potential comeback) than showcase the faults of the SME

Cynical, moi? Well, have you EVER read anything negative written about SME in the hi-fi press?

Having heard both the SME V and DV on a few occasions, if faced to choose between them, it would take me less than a nanosecond to very quickly nab the Dynavector and run!!

My apologies to all SME owners, but in my opinion, engineering quality aside (which is undoubtedly stupendous), based purely on sonic terms, they are the most overrated arms on the planet.

Good, yes, outstanding, no. The highest SPPV, tonearm-wise, I'm afraid lies elsewhere, but the lure of 'the badge' remains!

Ok, mes amis, tonight's repast awaits, after which I shall talk about how worthwhile it is modifying the stock Techy tonearm. As they say, been there, done that, bought the floral blouse!

Marco.

[MCRU]

Its only an arm Marco off a record player, you do get carried away matey don't you..

Who dragged the SME debate up again, we all know your love of SME's knows no bounds don't we so it's really old ground were are treading on, let's move on....