Technics Turntables Owners Thread

[Tweaky]

2 hours ago, cafe67 said:

Had mine a little while I scored “712” of the sl1210gae - short of a lotto win, it’s probably my forever turntable. 
 

no real mods - I’ve used 2 carts with a Lyra Argo I (on a Ortofon headshell) and Charisma Audio MC2 - new cart being fitted atm and I’m also going to try an achromat.

 

intercomments are Aurealis Audio R3gl

 

 

 

I don't know if the funk Firm standard Acromat will have any beneficial effect over the standard Technics mat fitted to the SL-1200G/GAE, even the Funk Firm say that.

 

They have come out with a new mat called the Archromat APM [at more than double the price] that is supposed to work with the SL-120G/GAE higher mass platters.

https://thefunkfirm.co.uk/upgrades/achromat-and-apm-9042904-apm-yellow

 

The thing is, any platter mats job is to lessen in groove noise, and in the reviews of the SL-1200GAE and SL-1000R, HiFi News & Record review made a special mention on just how well the new standard Technics mats fitted worked [same mat on the SL-1200G], and how it was partially responsible for the incredibly low in groove measurements at -74.3db on the GAE and -75db on the SL-1000R....Both better than the Tech DAS Airforce and Top SME TT's.

 

Fitting a different mat might sound different, but better ???

 

I suppose the same could be said of record weights or clamps, I've found that they can make a few records sound better, and do nothing for others, why that is I don't know.

 

 

 

I'll throw in the Lab report for the SL-1200GR just for completeness.

 

Edited January 20, 2023 by Tweaky

[wikeeboy]

5 hours ago, mattd2308 said:

Put a deposit down on a 1200G, paid full retail as I managed to secure one of the last remaining "Made in Japan" models.

This thread will be handy when i receive and I'll seek some advice in setting up. Will be using 2M Black cart ,(modded by cafe latte). 

 

Nice one mate. When i heard manufacturing for the entire range was moving to Malaysia i was rather happy to have bought the G's early enough to have the made in japan models.

[wikeeboy]

3 hours ago, metal beat said:

 

Fit the SME V tonearm as soon as you can.

  It will creme the stock arm.

 

Ok great! Glad then that i bought it when the opportunity arose.

[Tweaky]

8 minutes ago, wikeeboy said:

 

Ok great! Glad then that i bought it when the opportunity arose.

What sort/Brand of Technics / SME Tonearm base plate are you going to use to mount your SME V ?

 

I went down the highly modified Technics SL-1200 route about a decade ago.

A mate was also doing the same at the time.

I pulled the plug before getting to SME V swap level, but my mate went for it.

TBH once he fitted his SME V, using a Origin Live SME/Technics base plate, it didn't, to me at least, sound like the huge improvement that was expected.

 

I thought it might of been down the the Origin live SME mounting plate, which seemed a bit flimsy, almost trampoline like, the control the SME V is known for didn't really show.

[metal beat]

This looks very good

 

https://ammonite-audio.co.uk/product/technics-sl-1200-armboard-sme-fit-copy/

 

 

[wikeeboy]

13 minutes ago, metal beat said:

This looks very good

 

https://ammonite-audio.co.uk/product/technics-sl-1200-armboard-sme-fit-copy/

 

 

 

@Tweaky this is the one i had noted down for when the time comes. 

[cafe67]

2 hours ago, Tweaky said:

 

I don't know if the funk Firm standard Acromat will have any beneficial effect over the standard Technics mat fitted to the SL-1200G/GAE, even the Funk Firm say that.

 

They have come out with a new mat called the Archromat APM [at more than double the price] that is supposed to work with the SL-120G/GAE higher mass platters.

https://thefunkfirm.co.uk/upgrades/achromat-and-apm-9042904-apm-yellow

 

The thing is, any platter mats job is to lessen in groove noise, and in the reviews of the SL-1200GAE and SL-1000R, HiFi News & Record review made a special mention on just how well the new standard Technics mats fitted worked [same mat on the SL-1200G], and how it was partially responsible for the incredibly low in groove measurements at -74.3db on the GAE and -75db on the SL-1000R....Both better than the Tech DAS Airforce and Top SME TT's.

 

Fitting a different mat might sound different, but better ???

 

I suppose the same could be said of record weights or clamps, I've found that they can make a few records sound better, and do nothing for others, why that is I don't know.

 

 

 

I'll throw in the Lab report for the SL-1200GR just for completeness.

 

this is interesting - I discussed the new apm mat with the dealer and they have to be ordered in, but while fitting the new cart , he also gave the achromat go and it fits fine ( this is the 3mm mat) so I thought I’d give it ago. I’d like to get the tt stock as possible hence I’ve put the new cart into the stock headshell. The achromat can easily be swapped back for the stock mat. File under - worth a try. 

[cafe67]

What cartridge alignment are people using -BAERWALD, LOEFGREN OR STEVENSON? 

Edited January 20, 2023 by cafe67

[cafe67]

3 hours ago, metal beat said:

This looks very good

 

https://ammonite-audio.co.uk/product/technics-sl-1200-armboard-sme-fit-copy/

 

 

this would be my temptation

 

https://soundgallery.com.au/product/ds-audio-hs-001-solid-head-shell/

[Tweaky]

8 hours ago, cafe67 said:

this would be my temptation

 

https://soundgallery.com.au/product/ds-audio-hs-001-solid-head-shell/

 

That's a huge price for a headshell.

Apart from the build, it's main claim is to stop it being able to lessen the amount of rotation available between the headshell and the arm wand by creating a tighter fit.

 

A lot of people tend to use this small amount of available rotation with detachable headshell tonearms to fine tune azimuth, removing this availability would leave you with the same situation as a fixed headshell arm, where you would likely need to use shims between the cartridge and headshell to achieve the same result with azimuth adjustment, which for anybody that has had to do this knows it's a PITA.

 

What you gain in headshell/tonearm rigidity, you seem to lose in adjust ability.

I don't know is the supposed gains is worth the loss, especially if you change cartridges with any frequency.

 

To throw another thing into this, you also have people choosing to use decouplers between the cartridge and the headshell, which if fitted would give you azimuth adjustment, but if they actually improve tracking and sound quality it highly debatable from those who have tried them.....I haven't tried the latest designs, which vary a lot in design and price.

I suppose how well these decouplers work would depend on the rigidity of the cartridges body, and control of sound damaging resonances of the body.

https://www.decibelhifi.com.au/houdini-cartridge-decoupler

https://www.decibelhifi.com.au/cartridge-enabler

 

I remember buying a early cartridge decoupler from the HiFi News accessories club back in the 80's for about UK 12 pounds. it used three tiny cones between the cartridge and headshell, and was made briefly by a guy in the Czech republic called Pavel, who went on to start Project years later.

It did make a difference, but I was never truly convinced it actually was a improvement.

 

[The Bluesman]

The Audiophiliac is spot on in this episode, I enjoyed this one 

 

 

[maxspl]

13 hours ago, cafe67 said:

What cartridge alignment are people using -BAERWALD, LOEFGREN OR STEVENSON? 

 

The supplied Technics overhang gauge provides the correct 52mm Technics alignment.

 

On the Dr Feickert alignment tool Stevenson is the closest to the correct 52mm Technics alignment , but it is not quite right for a technics.

[Tweaky]

On 20/01/2023 at 11:20 PM, cafe67 said:

What cartridge alignment are people using -BAERWALD, LOEFGREN OR STEVENSON? 

 

I use the STEVENSON on the Technics, not for any sonic reasons, as TBH I found the differences between the three types barely perceptible, as long as the cartridge is tracking well I'm happy.

The reason I use it is because I've run into trouble previously with the slots on some Technics type detachable headshells not being quite long enough to allow proper alignment with BAERWALD alignment.

 

I forgot all about this problem when I first got my SL-1200G, as I had no problem with alignment using the supplied Technics headshell with my Garrott Pi77, but then spent a good hour or so swearing my head off in frustration trying to do them same with a different heavier headshell with my London decca super Gold.

 

Wondering WTF I was doing wrong, it wasn't until I compared the slots on the two different Technics type headshells that I noticed one had slightly shorter slots than the other.

[cafe67]

Various reviews as found 

 

https://parttimeaudiophile.com/2021/05/30/technics-sl-1210gae-anniversary/?amp

 

https://www.hifipig.com/technics-1200-g-turntable/

 

https://www.stereophile.com/content/technics-sl-1200g-turntable

 

https://www.analogplanet.com/content/new-limited-edition-technics-sl-1210gae-looks-and-sounds-great-0

 

https://www.analogplanet.com/content/technics-direct-drive-sl-1200g-turntable

https://www.audioappraisal.com/technics-sl-1200g-review-comparison-with-sl-1200gr/

 

Edited February 1, 2023 by cafe67

[The Bluesman]

I'm a happy Bluesman today, you see I found a little Fwend, now I have piece of mind when I'm digging my LPs and doze off, this is a great addition to our SL-1200Gs or any completely manual turntable, very good quality and very smooth action, very reliable like all good Little Fwends should be and it looks good as well

Edited January 29, 2023 by The Bluesman

[Emsworth]

Well after 3 years of heavy use my SL-10 (acquired in 2020 I think) needs a service - the tonearm has stopped moving, I expect it is the drive belt but feel this is probably a good opportunity for a clean/lube as well. 

 

Long shot I guess but has anyone had one of these serviced in Sydney? Chris Kim has been amazing with my gear and I know he does turntables but don't know if he has experience with this particular model. Maybe it doesn't matter? I see a few online testimonials of people who have had them fixed in other states, but would be keen to avoid shipping if possible. 

[Doppelganger]

On 11/5/2023 at 9:19 AM, Emsworth said:

Well after 3 years of heavy use my SL-10 (acquired in 2020 I think) needs a service - the tonearm has stopped moving, I expect it is the drive belt but feel this is probably a good opportunity for a clean/lube as well. 

 

Long shot I guess but has anyone had one of these serviced in Sydney? Chris Kim has been amazing with my gear and I know he does turntables but don't know if he has experience with this particular model. Maybe it doesn't matter? I see a few online testimonials of people who have had them fixed in other states, but would be keen to avoid shipping if possible. 

I got a recommendation for Tim of Tuned In Audio up in Hornsby. Haven’t needed my SL-10 serviced but I’ve left a  couple of other decks with him. Very nice guy and he’s worked on another forum member’s SL-10s to very positive effect.

[Emsworth]

Thanks so much Doppleganger, that’s exactly the kind of info I was after. I figure that because they are such a unique build, it would be ideal to find a tech who had experience opening them up. Really appreciate it! 
 

Right now my SL-10 has decided to intermittently work which makes me think it might perhaps be a prob with the tonearm transport lubricant being dry / dusty - still needs some love! Annoyingly, when it does work it sounds excellent! 

[Jakeyb77_Redux]

4 minutes ago, Emsworth said:

Thanks so much Doppleganger, that’s exactly the kind of info I was after. I figure that because they are such a unique build, it would be ideal to find a tech who had experience opening them up. Really appreciate it! 
 

Right now my SL-10 has decided to intermittently work which makes me think it might perhaps be a prob with the tonearm transport lubricant being dry / dusty - still needs some love! Annoyingly, when it does work it sounds excellent! 

The drive belt issue can be easily fixed yourself after watching online.

I’ve done one before. It’s actually not that hard but it was a few years ago.

From memory you also have to set the start and stop so the Tonearm spans the record correctly.

But well worth having a tech fully look it over if keeping and sentimental 

[Emsworth]

1 hour ago, Jakeyb77_Redux said:

The drive belt issue can be easily fixed yourself after watching online.

I’ve done one before. It’s actually not that hard but it was a few years ago.

From memory you also have to set the start and stop so the Tonearm spans the record correctly.

But well worth having a tech fully look it over if keeping and sentimental 

Thanks - yeah any other TT I would dive in and work it out - I have an SL-5 and have pulled it apart a few times. But the build quality on the SL-10 is so much better that I feel a bit hesitant about blundering around. This one is in great condition too and a really loved bit of kit, so would prefer a safe pair of hands. Would be kicking myself forever if I messed it up! 

[kffern]

I got my SP10 back after a long overdue service. New bearing and Torlon cap from Woodsong Audio and a complete recap of the PS.

It has been given a good bill of health and I was told that it was an ex ABC unit that has been well serviced by one of their better techs.

It has "all mods" written on the platter. Does anyone know what "all mods" entailed?

 

Listened it for a few days before I fitted Warrjon's 20mm POM platter upgrade. The difference is significant. Much better dynamic range and image separation. I managed to find a spare platter for Warren to work on so have the original for comparison. The bearing was a bit dry and thrust cap and bearing well worn. Fitted with a AT 0C9XSL for now. Best part was that I can now better use the arm height as the plinth wasn't best suited to the EPA100. I might need to raise the arm a bit maybe.

kffern

 

[kffern]

"all mods" SP10 from ABC radio Perth

I got my SP10 back after a long overdue service. New bearing and Torlon cap from Woodsong Audio and a complete recap of the PS.

It has been given a good bill of health and I was told that it was an ex ABC unit that has been well serviced by one of their better techs.

It has "all mods" written on the platter. Does anyone know what "all mods" entailed?

 

Listened it for a few days before I fitted Warrjon's 20mm POM platter upgrade. The difference is significant. Much better dynamic range and image separation. I managed to find a spare platter for Warren to work on so have the original for comparison. The bearing was a bit dry and thrust cap and bearing well worn. Fitted with a AT 0C9XSL for now. Best part was that I can now better use the arm height as the plinth wasn't best suited to the EPA100. I might need to raise the arm a bit maybe.

kffern

[Emsworth]

On 12/05/2023 at 6:07 PM, Doppelganger said:

I got a recommendation for Tim of Tuned In Audio up in Hornsby. Haven’t needed my SL-10 serviced but I’ve left a  couple of other decks with him. Very nice guy and he’s worked on another forum member’s SL-10s to very positive effect.

 

 

Hey, just wanted to say thanks again for this recommendation - Tim was an absolute legend and got the deck turned around incredibly quickly with care and diligence. Any members of the odd club of linear tracking TT aficionados can be confident in his ability to get them back up to spec. 

 

SL-10 is back home now and sounds fantastic, would say sound quality has clearly benefitted from the general service Tim undertook in addition to the repairs. I really love this unit so I am stoked to have it back in good shape for (hopefully!) another couple of decades. 

 

Lovely fella to chat with as well, and a great communicator. I know that hi-fi repairs can sometimes be a wild ride but this guy is one of the good ones! 

 

 

 

 

Edited June 21, 2023 by Emsworth
typo

[metal beat]

Technics SP10  - the best motor for a turntable of all time?

  Mk3  for me but I have heard plenty of amazing mk2's

 

 

[ENIGMA]

A couple of slate plinths I made, the new model is amazing!