Calling all SL-1200/1210 owners!

[Gromit]

I'm giving some thought to getting myself one of these beasties - have considered going the KAB route as a 'turn-key Super-SL', but quite like the idea of getting a good clean used 1210. I'd mod it myself using the OL Rega armboard and bunging a Tecno onto it, then doing the mat and feet thing.

Could be fun.

(and I still think the 1210 looks damn smart too)

[Marco]

Right...

I've been threatening to do this for about four months, or thereabouts, so I think the time has come to sit myself down in front of the laptop for an hour or two and write a detailed report on the KAB Technics SL-1210, how it compares to a standard 'DJ' SL-1210, LP12s and other similarly 'revered' belt-drives, and a whole host of other stuff KAB SL-1210 related.

Ok, it *WILL* be ready to read in the 'Strokes of Genius' review section before this weekend!!

I promise it will be controversial and make very interesting reading...

Marco.

[Gromit]

I promise it will be controversial

Marco.

All the better!! Looking forward to it.

A couple of guys on 'another' forum have gone for some KABs and been quite..shall we say..'shocked' at how good they are.

At to the Tekky itself - I was in HMV in Uxbridge last week where I found a 1210 sat at the back of the shop, all unloved and cast aside. No headshell nor c/weight fitted (no doubt to stop the local tea-leafs).

Anyway I had a good look over it and was sersiously impressed with its weight and build quality. I actually wanted to carefully tuck it under my arm and bring it back to a good home...give it back its dignity.

[Marco]

All the better!! Looking forward to it.

A couple of guys on 'another' forum have gone for some KABs and been quite..shall we say..'shocked' at how good they are.

I'll do my best, Richard!

Good is a vast understatement, with the arm modified or replaced with something a bit more serious than a Rega, and a decent MC cartridge, I'd go as far to say that aside from a handful of the world's best belt-drives and something like a mint SP10 or EMT, there is no better... It really is that good.

The problem is badge snobs and 'audiophiles' can't see past the name 'Technics'.

Marco.

[Gromit]

The problem is badge snobs and 'audiophiles' can't see past the name 'Technics'.

Marco.

Moot point Marco - would like to think I've long since managed to get away from that, fortunately. I own a Cambridge Audio CD player (which is bloody good, no excuses needed) so have no issues with 'badges'.

What I'd really like to know re the 1210 is how the KAB would fare compared to a home-sourced unit with the various mods, described in the press, applied to it.

I shall very much look forward to your report.

[scoobs]

Oh yeah, Marco's definitive 1210 review - I'd forgotten all about it! Look forward to it too fellas, hey how about a piccie of the bread bin to accompany it...give the readers some food for thought eh!

Rich, I would usually subscribe to the 'build it up slowly and enjoy the journey' approach to upgrading, but in this instance with the technics I would just say go all out from the off and you just wont look back.

[Marco]

You'll never live the 'bread bin' down, mate...

Nick, I've got another 'journey' to take you on with valve amps this time when you get yer taffy arse up here

Hehe...I think you'll enjoy this one as much as the Technics!

Richard, I know you can see the bigger picture but sadly some other people's deep-rooted preconceptions and prejudices run much deeper...

Regarding your question about a modified home-sourced unit, I'll cover that in my review - safe to say though that a significant percentage of the upgrade in the deck's performance is derived from the separate PSU, which as far as I'm aware, no-one has perfected yet in the UK. The internal electronics of the SL-1210 are apparently quite complex and therefore the implementation of a separate PSU is a task not for the fainthearted.

Marco.

[Gromit]

The internal electronics of the SL-1210 are apparently quite complex and therefore the implementation of a separate PSU is a task not for the fainthearted.

Marco.

Interesting - wonder what KAB have done then to make it really work. I had considered the possibility of going for something like a Speedbox SE or Heed Orbit to plug the 1210 into as they purely re-generate the mains with a rock-solid 50Hz.

I'm reasonably aware of how good a DD TT can be having had a good listen to Guy's SP10 at Heathrow last year, and the chap who I bought my old Expo IX/XI psu/pre off had an SP10 with SME IV which sounded none too shabby. First thing which struck me was the bass - it just sounded so real and its pitch coherence was uncanny.

[Mike]

C'mon Marco, hurry up.... My SL120 should be arriving soon. I'm all ears (eyes?)!

[Marco]

LOL. It's on my 'things to do' list, don't worry!

Richard,

First thing which struck me was the bass - it just sounded so real and its pitch coherence was uncanny.

Oh yes, absolutely! Belt-drives sound slow, stodgy, and ponderous in comparison.

The pitch coherence comes from the totally accurate speed stability, lack of stylus drag, and remarkably low levels of wow and flutter.

Marco.