Vantage Audio Technics SL-1210 PCB upgrade & PSU

[worrasf]

I have posted elsewhere on AoS my very favourable impressions of the VA bearing and platter upgrades for my SL-1210. I was thus very much looking forward to hearing how the PCB upgrade and bespoke PSU sounded. I was not disappointed. Doubly so since Richard and his son very kindly dropped in yesterday to install everything for me. Not because it isn't suitable for an owner upgrade but because that's the sort of customer service VA give

The PCB upgrade consists of replacing all the capacitors with modern tight spec versions and "re-working" the earth tracks on the underside of the board. The PSU is a sizeable box with a high quality flying DC lead with lockable 2.5mm plug and integral sensor. The lead plugs into a chassis socket in a bespoke plate that replaces the stock metal cable exit plate. The plate also carries a 4mm chassis socket connected to the PCB earth for optional connection to the preamp earth binding post.

We listened to a few tracks with the stock PCB and my TimeStep PSU and then while I looked the other way Richard dismembered the deck and dropped in and connected up the new board and PSU. The deck fired up on first switch on

There was an instant and definite improvement (not just a difference). Bass was better defined and went down lower (actually "felt" some of the kick drum as opposed to just hearing it) and was tighter controlled but the biggest difference was with timing - notes started and particularly stopped with better definition - particularly noticeable with percussion where "double drum taps" became obvious whereas before it just sounded like a single stroke. This translated into better dynamics and range. Soundstage tightened up with much better focus of instruments and voices in space.

Reading back through my previous posts on the VA bearing and platter upgrades I note my comments are very similar so it seems the VA "philosophy" is step-wise process to improve platter rotation control and thereby improve information retrieval and timing.

IMHO Vantage Audio offer a very cost-effective upgrade path for the SL-1210 which delivers tangible improvements in sonic quality and musical enjoyment and superlative customer service.

Steve

[chris@panteg]

Hi Steve

It looks like i may well be following your upgrade path Richard is visiting tommorow and weds for a listening sesh with the Black Beast" then fitting the platter .

But i just have to have a quick rant , Dave Cawley has stated over on his "Forum" that Richard like himself has an agenda ? Now some honesty from Dave is most welcome , but Richard having an agenda , well he's going to quite a bit of bother to help me out and i actually don't sense any hidden agenda at all ! Just a very helpful and genuine bloke who takes a bit of care to get it right .

I've just had a great idea where to put my Timestep psu when the time comes , but i must refrain.

Anyway rant over , well done Steve , pleased its working nicely for you

[colinB]

I spoke to Richard a while back Chris and he told me to take out the psu from the technics and put it in a external case which he assured me would improve the sound.
It wasnt until i got of the phone i realized the guy didnt try to sell me anything and gave me a free tip! Where as certain other individual on the phone told me get rid of my achromat as it was rubbish and buy his mat. Tell me who has the agenda?

[chris@panteg]

I spoke to Richard a while back Chris and he told me to take out the psu from the technics and put it in a external case which he assured me would improve the sound.
It wasnt until i got of the phone i realized the guy didnt try to sell me anything and gave me a free tip! Where as certain other individual on the phone told me get rid of my achromat as it was rubbish and buy his mat. Tell me who has the agenda?

Hi Colin

Yes indeed ! I tried to remain calm when i read it , but i'm now in my local supping a nice pint and trying not to get wound up , anyway like i said I'm so pleased for Steve

[DSJR]

...and maybe some technical evidence to back up the subjective impressions

[chris@panteg]

...and maybe some technical evidence to back up the subjective impressions

Well it is subjective Dave , not sure what any technical stats would prove ? Linn have managed well enough without it ?

If Steve is very happy with these upgrades , then so what , are you looking to have a dig , perhaps your in cahoots with the prime minister of tech mr Cawley .

[worrasf]

...and maybe some technical evidence to back up the subjective impressions

From your lips to God's ear Dave

I did the post at work sans piccies so here we go now am back at home. Richard requested that the images of the underside of the board were a little out of focus so as to minimise plagiarism which given earlier posts is fully understandable I think.

Now the technical data I am going to struggle with I'm afraid but I'm sure Richard would oblige.

Steve

[colinB]

I think its interesting that in the last few years various psu`s for the technics have appeared, (the earliest ones i saw mentioned were the American Kabs and Blue circle models) but this guy has had a solution to the problem for a long time and nobody heard of him.

[worrasf]

but this guy has had a solution to the problem for a long time and nobody heard of him.

He avoids forums (including AoS) has little time for over-priced ear candy and it's devotees and just makes good kit at a very reasonable price. Was an avionics engineer by trade apparently. With the stuff I bought off him he could so easily have plugged the whole 9 yards from day 1 but wouldn't even tell me what upgrades were available never mind flog them to me until I'd installed and evaluated the previous bits.

Steve

[colinB]

Good to know some people are making a honest living in this world of sharks!
There is one psu out there that will set you back £450 but you have to pay an extra £200 for a decent transformer to replace the standard wall wart it comes with.
Im sorry but thats just wrong. Most people ( like me ) buy a technics because they dont have a lot of cash and dont really want to pay £ 650 to fix a weakness in their machine.