Technics SL1200 plinth damping

[mulane]

Well I did some listening tonight with the foil-damped platter and compared it to the std platter. I used a single thin rubber mat of unknown origin over the foil as a better surface for the record.

Listening to 'The Morning Side" again and the bass notes seemed a bit cleaner and more defined as if a degree of "bloom" had been removed. I wasnt sure I liked this as "bloom" is one of the things I like about vinyl. So I went back and forth with the std platter and the treated one. There is definitely greater clarity with the new one and a bit more dynamic range. The notes seem to leap out of blackness more rather than be surrounded by hash.

In fact the thought that kept comming to me is that it sounded more like CD! But do I want my vinyl to sound more like CD? I pondered this as I listened to more LPs like "Inner Mounting Flame" by Mahavishnu Orchestra (an old favourite). The track "Dawn" lept out with raw energy and had me transfixed. It still had the huge, wide soundstage of vinyl but more of the precision and clarity of a good CD player. I realised the reduction of bloom let me hear into the recording better and get a better sense of each individual instrument. Mmm I think I could get to like this. Then I tried Jennifer Warnes "Bird on a Wire" off the "Famous Blue Raincoat" LP. Again the bass had greater clarity, seperation and slam. I forced myself to focus on the higher notes (I'm a bass junkie). There was less of the harshness that often comes through in her voice on my system so it was easier to listen to but the clarity was still there.

So I think this mod is definitely worth trying especially if you dont have a SDS Plattermat. It cost me nothing as the local 3M people generously sent me a sample which was plenty to cover the platter and magnet. I may at some stage try adding a disc of 1-2mm aluminium to the foil as this would provide a better constraining layer than the thin layer of foil over the polymer layer.

[chris@panteg]

Very interesting Mulane 'i have the Jennifer warnes LP 180 gm and have always loved it but i find the recording very digital sounding and do wonder if it would be better on CD .

[mulane]

Thanks for the reply Chris - I was beginning to feel like I was just talking to myself on this thread.

Interesting that your copy sounds digital. Mine sounds anything but that, but I have the origional pressing and not the 180gm. Maybe they added processing of some sort. I also have the CD so I'll try and compare the two. Wish I could find Cohen's "10 new songs" on vinyl - now that would be something. Everyone here is out of stock and seem to be having trouble getting new stock.

[chris@panteg]

Mulane ' no probs

I am currently messing around with an old Technics DD linear tracker (SLQL1) and i think i am in agreement about the rubber damping ' you see this deck is a pretty decent performer , and it does not have any rubber damping other than a thin ' ish mat.

It does have a TNRC base and sprung feet ' which is surprisingly effective ,
the thing is it does have a very different tonal balance to my 1210 timestep and i am liking it ' it seems also to have excellent PRAT ' all for £25 + 15 for the AT3482.

What is the availability of quality vinyl like in OZ ' i am not sure if Cohen's 10 new songs is now out of print as it seems unavailable here also.

One question for you ' was that your letter to David Price in this months HIFI world ,
the 1200 is worth persevering with ' i will look forward to what you have to say about your new PSU ' i think you will be amazed at how much better it sounds ' .

[mulane]

That SLQL1 sounds interesting Chris. Is the TNRC similar stuff to the Pocan used on the SL 1200 - ie. a light fibreglass-like material?

You have to go to a specialist vinyl or hifi store here for LPs. Their stock is usually pretty good - I found the Rhino re-issue of Astral Weeks the other day for example after a bit of a ring around.

No the letter wasnt mine - is that the September issue? Its not out here yet. Must try to find some time to finish the PSU. If a bit of damping on the platter makes so much difference I cant wait to hear the improvement from the PSU (and the plinth of course).

[chris@panteg]

I think it must be the same stuff , it does seem to work well 'the QL1 sounds amazing really for peanuts money ' the linear tracking arm can be a bit twitchy if the worm gear grease has hardened up.

When you get your psu going ' you will really start to hear the techy as it should be

[mulane]

Yes I must try to make some time to finish the PSU. If a bit of damping on the platter made as much difference as it did then I cant wait to hear the new PSU (and the modded plinth). Then I'll have to look at a new phono stage as I'm sure the Pioneer A400 stage I'm using just doesnt cut it any more.

[Tolstoi]

Mulane, your tonearm looks like a Mayware Formula. You say it's a JH Formula.
Are those two identical. I am interested in the Mayware for my SL-1210 and would like to know how that tonearm goes with the Techie and which armbase you use.

Cheers

Joerg

[DSJR]

I think the "Formula" tonearm was made in several versions for different markets and I reckon the Roksan Nima is very heavily based on this venerable old design. Indeed, the Mk5 Mayware (I sold and set up countless Mk4's) was significantly beefed up over the earlier very-low-mass models.

[Tolstoi]

I meant mounting plate for the arm of course...

Cheers

Joerg