Shuggie's SL-1210 Blog Revived

[Spectral Morn]

Is it possible that the large differences in experience you guys are all having could be not just system synergy issues but you all have your TT's resting on very different platforms....could the Technics be fussy about what it sits on ? I have encountered this sort of thing in the past with some TT's performing better on some surfaces than others.

Just a thought...I have no experience of the Technics but so far this possibility has not been mentioned by anyone.

Regards D S D L---Neil

[MartinT]

Interesting thought, Neil. Mine is on two levels of sprung isolation - Solid Tech system rack with sprung feet, then Isonoes on the deck itself. Very different from the solid/rigid/ballast approach.

[Marco]

Neil,

Is it possible that the large differences in experience you guys are all having could be not just system synergy issues but you all have your TT's resting on very different platforms....could the Technics be fussy about what it sits on ? I have encountered this sort of thing in the past with some TT's performing better on some surfaces than others.

Just a thought...I have no experience of the Technics but so far this possibility has not been mentioned by anyone.

Ahem, from moi this morning (and Tony before that):

Like Tony says, supports/feet, and how a given turntable reacts with those is significant, as are any number of other interfaces which contribute to the final effect we hear when the stylus hits the groove...

Marco.

[Spectral Morn]

What I was suggesting was that while different forms of support have been mentioned during this thread, and there have been a number of approaches used. Is there a consensus as to what leads to what effect? Could it be that the reason there is so much difference of opinion on the sound, could be because of this one aspect, of which none of you seem to be using exactly the same solution. Its just a thought and while it might not be as simple as that...probably.... it might be a bigger factor than what has been allowed for...perhaps.

If you were all using the same supports/isolation etc then this could be ruled out as a factor. Of course same arms and carts would be needed as well to rule out the TT, and focus could be switched to the system matching as a factor.


Regards D S D L---Neil

[Marco]

I think you're right, Neil. The type of support a turntable sits on will have an impact on how it sounds, but I suspect that the discrepancy in performance reported is coming from another direction.

Marco.

[MartinT]

I suspect that the discrepancy in performance reported is coming from another direction

I suspect that too. I strongly feel that the arm makes a significant difference just based on clues from those who have had success with the 1210 and those who haven't. It seems that the Technics original arm and Rega-based arms don't get the best out of the deck, but Jelco, SME and a couple of others do. The cartridge used appears to influence things less but the mat is critical.

[Peter Stockwell]

The cartridge used appears to influence things less but the mat is critical.

Dave's (SoundHifi) Feet 1 and Audiophile mat are great products that make a big difference for not much outlay, so I concur with that.

[Ammonite Audio]

My Paul Hynes PSU is now inching through the Royal Mail, so the next stage of my DD record player experiment is looming. Paul has made up the PSU with an adjustment pot, so that it can power both the Technics SL-1210 and my old Kenwood KD-770D.

It will be very interesting to hear the difference between the decks, when powered in the same way, and fitted with the same arm/cartridge combination. I already know in my heart which I prefer, but remain open-minded about how much the Technics can be helped along. I need to book an appointment with Dave for the Motor Dynamics mod, though.

[Ammonite Audio]

The change of PSU on the Kenwood has brought about such a profound change in its character, that a total re-evaluation of it and the SL-1210 is now warranted. I'm shocked at how much leaner and cleaner is the Kenwood's overall presentation with the Paul Hynes PSU; also its calm precision in comparison with its former self, which was in retrospect rather cuddly in character - certainly its speed stability was nothing special, now sorted by the new PSU. Now I think I can hear the effects of its fairly resonant chipboard plinth - that's a cue for me to order a router from Screwfix and start making a new plinth from bits of oak worktop left over from the kitchen rebuild.

So, bearing all that in mind, today will see the SL-1210 brought back into play, with TimeStep and Paul Hynes PSUs. I shall report back on the differences between the PSUs and also on the general musical performance of the two decks (both fitted with the same Tecnoarm/2M Black). A friend has a new Raven One, with a Graham tonearm and posh Transfiguration cartridge, so a comparison with that in due course will be most interesting. A bake-off against a PL-71 would be fun, too, if anyone is up for that.

[NRG]

Hi Shuggie, I'd be up for a comparison at some stage. My PL-71 is starting to sound very good plus I have (I hope) a KD750 on it's way to me...all 17Kg of it! I hope it a) arrives and b) in one piece!