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My MKE SL-1200 MK2 Project

thought I'd bump my own thread...at least I posted a pic

Analog%20Rig.JPG
 
Hey levlhed, checking in on your thread again because I have been working on mounting an Audioquest PT9 arm to an SL-1200 Mk2. The table when I got it didn't come with an arm but it did have an armboard (from the Greek eBay seller 'f1sport' where everybody gets theirs) for a Jelco 370 / Sumiko MMT. I already had a PT9 I wasn't using so I decided to mount that. I was going to buy a new armboard that fits the AQ arm but I got to thinking about it and figured I could reuse the outer ring of the armboard and make my own aluminum insert to suit my arm. I got it assembled and it all fits together fine, but I am at the lower limit of VTA adjustment and the base of the arm is still too high. (Cartridge is a Denon DL-160.) I had an idea to resolve this by lowering the armboard's center insert with some spacers - I will try this tonight and I think it should work. I was just curious if you had any trouble getting VTA right since we are running nearly the same setup.
 
Hello!
I haven't had any trouble with reaching the limits of the VTA adjustment. I do use a couple of platter mats though so maybe that a significant difference?
I'll have to eyeball it when I get a chance..maybe I can upload a better picture so you can see how it is arranged on mine.
I don't see why your plan wouldn't work though.
 
Thanks for the quick reply! But ... hold on a sec, from looking at your photos more closely I think I get it now. I think my dumb ass installed the arm base upside down. :stupid: Gonna have to find out for sure when I get home tonight, but picturing it in my mind I can see it now, how I put it together would seriously limit VTA adjustment.
 
Yep, that was it. I had the arm base collar upside down. I bought the arm used and it didn't come with any instructions, so it took some trial and error to figure out how it went together. Now all is well, playing and sounding great! Sorry for the thread hijack.

I can only imagine how good your MKE is. I've only had my 1200 Mk2 with PT9 running for a short while but my initial impression is that it's the best turntable setup I've had so far. I plan to customize it further as budget allows, with many of the same features yours has. I'm particularly interested in the Applied Fidelity bearing and an external power supply of some kind. Probably some feet will be the next thing, though. Mine didn't come with any feet and I have it sitting on racquetball halves right now. Works, but maybe not the most permanent solution.

Given any more thought to the Terminator arm? I've read up on those and think it's a rather brilliant and fascinating design. I would like to check one out someday.
 
Glad you figured it out! And I don't mind people posting on this thread at all.

I do love my rig. I can't say for sure which upgrades did what since I pretty much did them all at once. I think the feet on mine are overkill since I listen with headphones so isolation isn't much of an issue. They look funky though.

I still think about putting a Terminator on, but decided I should wait for now. The whole process was a little daunting as far as sorting out the mounting/etc. Then I started thinking about where to put a pump and running lines/etc and figured at this stage I wasn't willing to add that level of complexity. And I have an inherent dislike for having to pay in Pounds because the exchange rate is so brutal.
If I come across a good deal on a different linear tracking air bearing set up, maybe even with a drop-in mounting plate(!), I'd would be very inclined to take that path.
 
agreed on nice tt. got a cool idear. how bout a mirror tinted dust cover to go with the mirror arm board? you could even get the headphone avatar cut into the tint. ...also the pair could be called smoke and mirrors.
 
levlhed said:
Glad you figured it out! And I don't mind people posting on this thread at all.

I do love my rig. I can't say for sure which upgrades did what since I pretty much did them all at once. I think the feet on mine are overkill since I listen with headphones so isolation isn't much of an issue. They look funky though.

I still think about putting a Terminator on, but decided I should wait for now. The whole process was a little daunting as far as sorting out the mounting/etc. Then I started thinking about where to put a pump and running lines/etc and figured at this stage I wasn't willing to add that level of complexity. And I have an inherent dislike for having to pay in Pounds because the exchange rate is so brutal.
If I come across a good deal on a different linear tracking air bearing set up, maybe even with a drop-in mounting plate(!), I'd would be very inclined to take that path.
Click to expand...

I do think the Isonoe feet look great and they seem to be a go-to upgrade choice, but they are awfully spendy. I was looking at Simply Physics' products and might try some of their cones and cups, quite affordable too. MWalt (who I bought this table from) recommended Vantage Audio feet. Sound Hifi also sells a number of feet for the 1200, but like Transfi and Vantage, they're out of the UK and then you have to deal with the exchange rate and international delivery.

The Terminator is a really fascinating product, and actually seems very reasonably priced, it's just the exchange rate like you said that makes it an issue. Wish there was a way to get them easily in the US. Although I recall reading on their (Transfi's) site some links on how to build your own air bearing linear tracking arm, but I'm not so sure my machining skills are up to the task. Maybe someday I'll take a shot at it ...

In the meantime, enjoy that sweet custom 1200! I'm about to cue up some records on mine ... :music:
 
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