FS: Technics SL120 TT

[Marco]

Thanks for that, Guy - a most interesting link.

At some point, purely for curiosity, I'd love to compare a fully-optimised SP10 in my system against my KAB-modified SL-1210. So if you're ever near North Wales bring yours up and we can have a play!

As an aside, what I'd love to see is a picture of an SP-10 and an SL-1200 motor, with specifications quoted (particularly the relevant torque measurements) so we can see just how much better the motor in the SP-10 supposedly is. It's all a bit of a grey area at the moment.

What always annoys me is that the SP-10 is so reverently revered by audiophiles, yet the SL-1210 is dismissed rather snootily by the same people as being nothing other than a 'DJ deck', when both use very high quality direct-drive Quatrz mechanisms. The consensus of opinion appears to be that the SL-1210 is grossly inferior, however I suspect the reality is rather different. From experience I believe that an SL-1210, suitably modified and set-up properly concedes little sonically to the SP10, especially given over 30 years of wear and tear. I love the SP-10, but I think some people are easily influenced by reputation and history!

Marco.

[NRG]

... I love the SP-10, but I think some people are easily influenced by reputation and history!

Marco.

You need to hear one Marco

Agree with the earlier comment about the PSU caps and electronics, it's one fear I have, looking at the 1970's electronics I can see it would be a PIA to fix, however, I know of a number of people using them and they've not had issues... I have a plan to replace at least the PSU caps.

Mine is an ex broadcast unit and it stops and starts in an instant. The amount of torque is serious! Much more than the SL120 has and it's very speed stable.

[Marco]

You need to hear one Marco

LOL, Neal, is that an offer?

I have - although admittedly not in my own system. Perhaps you need to hear a KAB-modified SL-1210?

A think a trip to North Wales beckons, once you've got your SP-10 sorted in a plinth. I think it could be an educational exercise for both of us...

Marco.

P.S Which of these are you? A beer man or a wine man?

So I know what to get in for your visit!

[Mike]

Some Technics info here.

http://de.geocities.com/bc1a69/technics_eng.html

I had a 110 briefly. It looked nice but didn't sound great. When that was made the motor control system was still being developed by Technics. The Mk2 version of the SP10 is a different animal to either the 110 or the original SP10 and was properly sorted. I'd agree with Marco about perhaps steering clear of ex broadcast SP10's. Even ex domestic ones would probably benefit from having many of the PSU caps replaced particularly if the TT has been unused for several years.

Thanks for the info!

Can I have one of your phono stage's please?

[Vinyl Grinder]

These Technics deck have no place in the serious side of audio, it's just the desperate reviewers that find them a revelation compared to the crap thats availbale these days, not hard really finding any old gubbins from the past to compete!

[Mike]

HeHe.... you old cynic you!

[Vinyl Grinder]

Why Guy keeps his Heybrook 'TT2' at hand cos he knows deep down in his heart of hearts that 'SP-10's a pile of shite

[pure sound]

LOL. I'll have to get one of the Voyds out of my loft & give that a whirl when I get the Alphason arm back from AO.

[Marco]

These Technics deck have no place in the serious side of audio, it's just the desperate reviewers that find them a revelation compared to the crap thats availbale these days, not hard really finding any old gubbins from the past to compete!

Yep, that's exactly what I was sitting there thinking when listening to vinyl for three hours solid this afternoon

I'm such a glutton for punishment!



Marco.

[Mike]

Well!

I'm now the owner of an SL120, one which must have the heaviest plinth in Christendom!

The bits of the deck I can actually see are in damn fine condition, but the rest of it will have to wait for now as can't lift the f*****g thing out of the box!!!