REVIEW: SL-1200MK2 w/ thedelihaus upgrades!

[DaveyW]

Good response!

A few years ago I jumped from an Axis to a Sondek and never had an urge to move on, despite hearing some more exotic systems.
I have run a few 2nd decks in parallel (including a Thorens TD160 and currently a Dual 1219).
Mind you I've never heard a fully modded Delihaus Technics :scratch2:

Maybe Beatcomber should audition the ultimate Delihaus offering to help make the decision

 

[beatcomber]

My advice is:

Option 1- Sell the current Linn and mod the Technics.

Option 2- Sell BOTH the current Linn and the Technics and move up to a nicer Linn.

Both are terrific suggestions, but I couldn't ever sell the Technics; it's just too versatile and useful, even as a second table.

I love the fact that I can swap headshells/carts, mod it for 78 duty, use it for DJ'ing, etc. etc. It's the Swiss army knife of turntables.

 

[thedelihaus]

... I couldn't ever sell the Technics; it's just too versatile and useful....

This is a big thing I really love about the table.

There's lots of convenience to using this deck- the instantaneous start/stop, the platter quick-stop brake, the pushbutton 33-45 speed change.

The only thing missing is end-of-record lift/shut-off. But a vintage Audio Technica Universal Auto Arm lift cures that.


If you keep the Technics, I will say this- the mods you do will continue to increase the performance of this deck to quite impressive levels. One could argue how good or not, but I will say that I'll be taking my SP25, the Technics pro version of the SL1200MK2, as far as it will go, and I have no issue in doing so.

 

[beatcomber]

Right you are, Paul!

I actually don't miss the end of side trip. The way I see it is there's one less thing to go wrong.

 

[kcdonahue]

It's the Swiss army knife of turntables.

Sums it up perfectly.

Thanks for the great post. I have some work to do!!!

KC

 

[beatcomber]

UPDATE: I realized that my VTA was not set correctly on the SL-1200, so I fixed that and then decided to do a new comparison between the 1200 and the Linn.

To even the playing field and to make it quicker to toggle back and forth (I have a dual-tray CD player), I recorded the samples of the SL-1200 to CD-R just like the Linn sample tracks are preserved; the same records and the same carts, played on two different tables, and recorded to CD-R. Again, the test subjects were a Denon DL-160 and a Shure M91ED with Jico SAS.

As you may recall from my earlier post, I was on the fence about which table sounds better. This time, the differences were much more pronounced, and I'm somewhat surprised to say that the modded Technics was the clear winner! Absolutely no contest. Compared to the 1200, the Linn Axis sounded less clear and more 'soft' or 'slower' than the 1200. The Technics was more snappy and the bass and treble are more extended.

I'll say it again, I'm very surprised! I guess the Linn may well end up for sale soon...

 

[Pio1980]

This is a big thing I really love about the table.

There's lots of convenience to using this deck- the instantaneous start/stop, the platter quick-stop brake, the pushbutton 33-45 speed change.

The only thing missing is end-of-record lift/shut-off. But a vintage Audio Technica Universal Auto Arm lift cures that.


If you keep the Technics, I will say this- the mods you do will continue to increase the performance of this deck to quite impressive levels. One could argue how good or not, but I will say that I'll be taking my SP25, the Technics pro version of the SL1200MK2, as far as it will go, and I have no issue in doing so.

How does a mod'ed 1200 compare to, say, a Sony PS-X70 stockers IYO?

 

[sxty8goats]

IMO, the most significant tweak is to dampen the tonearm. There was a huge improvement when I wrapped it with shrink tubing.

Secondly, isolate it from airborne vibration. The stock feet are poorly equipped for this.

Thirdly, rewire the tonearm and replace the stock RCAs.

As I'm sure you remember, I did all of those mods myself with the exception of shrink wrap on the tone arm. Instead of the shrink wrap on the outside, I have silicon 'tape' inside the tube as a dampener. I know it has been a while since you heard my table but having heard it, were your results simmer to mine?

 

[beatcomber]

How does a mod'ed 1200 compare to, say, a Sony PS-X70 stockers IYO?

Sorry, I'm not familiar with the Sony. Perhaps thedelihaus can comment?

I know it has been a while since you heard my table but having heard it, were your results simmer to mine?

It's hard to say for sure, since your system is quite different than mine (ie: my Stanton 681 sounds anything but strident in my system), HOWEVER I do recall the 1200 in your system sounded fantastic. In fact, it was your modded 1200 that motivated me to get in touch with thedelihaus and request his services. :tresbon:
BTW, we should get together again sometime soon, PJ! The missus and offspring are visiting relatives in Japan, so I have plenty of free time now. I'll buy the pizza!

 

[sxty8goats]

Sorry, I'm not familiar with the Sony. Perhaps thedelihaus can comment?



It's hard to say for sure, since your system is quite different than mine (ie: my Stanton 681 sounds anything but strident in my system), HOWEVER I do recall the 1200 in your system sounded fantastic. In fact, it was your modded 1200 that motivated me to get in touch with thedelihaus and request his services. :tresbon:

Awesome.

I think my 681/Shabata magically broke in while I ran the SAS/M91. Suddenly the SAS was sounding a bit 'flat' so I popped the 681 back on, figuring it was the recording. It is still brighter than the SAS but in a detailed / wide sound stage kind of way. Not the 'honky/ harsh" sound I remember. Odd.

I expected it was the album and it would sound harsh on other recordings. I've thrown 2 or three more albums at it and it has been brilliant.

 

[beatcomber]

Awesome.

I think my 681/Shabata magically broke in while I ran the SAS/M91. Suddenly the SAS was sounding a bit 'flat' so I popped the 681 back on, figuring it was the recording. It is still brighter than the SAS but in a detailed / wide sound stage kind of way. Not the 'honky/ harsh" sound I remember. Odd.

I expected it was the album and it would sound harsh on other recordings. I've thrown 2 or three more albums at it and it has been brilliant.

Very good! Your comparison between the two carts sounds more in line with my relative impressions of them.

 

[thedelihaus]

UPDATE: I realized that my VTA was not set correctly on the SL-1200..This time, the differences were much more pronounced, and I'm somewhat surprised to say that the modded Technics was the clear winner! Absolutely no contest. Compared to the 1200, the Linn Axis sounded less clear and more 'soft' or 'slower' than the 1200. The Technics was more snappy and the bass and treble are more extended.

I'll say it again, I'm very surprised! I guess the Linn may well end up for sale soon...

Well, this I'm glad to hear, and to be honest, more what I has expected against the model Linn you have, and the Basik arm that's on it.

I am glad to read this. Not surprised, but glad.

How does a mod'ed 1200 compare to, say, a Sony PS-X70 stockers IYO?

Depends on how modded. The very basic arm mods? The performance should be close. Highly modded? The nod to the Technics. The Sony is the superior table in stock form.

...BTW, we should get together again sometime soon, PJ! The missus and offspring are visiting relatives in Japan, so I have plenty of free time now. I'll buy the pizza!

Jee- I hope I'm invited- I'm just one town away, probably only 5 miles away from the "goat". I know a few primo pizza joints. I promise I won't eat much!

Oh- and my initials are "PJ". Does that count for anything?

 

[beatcomber]

Jee- I hope I'm invited- I'm just one town away, probably only 5 miles away from the "goat". I know a few primo pizza joints. I promise I won't eat much!

Sounds like a fantastic plan! Let's schedule something pronto! I'd love for you to hear your latest work in action.

 

[sxty8goats]

Jee- I hope I'm invited- I'm just one town away, probably only 5 miles away from the "goat". I know a few primo pizza joints. I promise I won't eat much!

Oh- and my initials are "PJ". Does that count for anything?

Sounds good to me. I'm free most weeknights.

 

[tmccullough]

What's your budget?

For now, very little. Once I unload some surplus that should change. What is fairly cheap and DIY? I have put new RCAs in place.

 

[MWalt]

Oh yes, Paul was very thorough all the way, and his package of mods is very well thought out. Next to Kevin Barrett, as far as I'm concerned he is THE MAN when it comes to tricking out 'wheels of steel.'

+1 !! :thmbsp::thmbsp:

IMO, the most significant tweak is to dampen the tonearm. There was a huge improvement when I wrapped it with shrink tubing.

Secondly, isolate it from airborne vibration. The stock feet are poorly equipped for this.

Thirdly, rewire the tonearm and replace the stock RCAs.

I agree on all three counts. On the first point, I believe that to beat the modded stock arm you have to buy a really "nice" (read expensive) tonearm.

The second point is often overlooked. The stock feet are barely adequate. I have achieved a lot of success with Isonoe Footers. Plus, they look great on the table.

The third point is in alignment on my response to the first point you mentioned in the upgrade path. Once the arm is improved through damping, quality wiring and rca's, it is tough to beat without spending quite a few simoleans.

This is a big thing I really love about the table.

If you keep the Technics, I will say this- the mods you do will continue to increase the performance of this deck to quite impressive levels. One could argue how good or not, but I will say that I'll be taking my SP25, the Technics pro version of the SL1200MK2, as far as it will go, and I have no issue in doing so.

I appreciate my SL1200 MKII more each day. I try to find reasons to get rid of it, but it keeps sounding as good or better than the respectable competition that I put it up against. Must be a sign that I need to keep it.

 

[beatcomber]

A question I keep coming back to in my mind is are the $175 Isonoe Footers that KAB sells significantly better than the $5 racquetballs I'm using? They certainly LOOK better, but is their performance worth the extra bread?

 

[MWalt]

A question I keep coming back to in my mind is are the $175 Isonoe Footers that KAB sells significantly better than the $5 racquetballs I'm using? They certainly LOOK better, but is their performance worth the extra bread?

I was previously using sorbathane hemisphere's and I think that the Isonoe Footers are a big improvement. I was surprised by how much better they are than stock.

Another issue I am quite surprised about is how good the M91ED sounds with the delimodded arm. I may have to buy a JICO SAS now.

 

[beatcomber]

I was previously using sorbathane hemisphere's and I think that the Isonoe Footers are a big improvement. I was surprised by how much better they are than stock.

Thanks for this input. Even with the racquetballs I'm still hearing some low feedback, although a lot less than before.

Would you say that you're getting a perfectly black background with most records with the Isonoes? I'm just trying to justify spending $175 on feet!

Another issue I am quite surprised about is how good the M91ED sounds with the delimodded arm. I may have to buy a JICO SAS now.

That is a cart that particularly benefits from use on a table that's capable of great resolution and clarity. On a lesser table it can sound very muddy, but on a better table it has a nice full sound with lots of punch. The Jico SAS is, of course, a an excellent investment and worth the price.

 

[MWalt]

Thanks for this input. Even with the racquetballs I'm still hearing some low feedback, although a lot less than before.

Would you say that you're getting a perfectly black background with most records with the Isonoes? I'm just trying to justify spending $175 on feet!



That is a cart that particularly benefits from use on a table that's capable of great resolution and clarity. On a lesser table it can sound very muddy, but on a better table it has a nice full sound with lots of punch. The Jico SAS is, of course, a an excellent investment and worth the price.

I feel like the background is black on my setup. However, I have the sorbothane hemisphere's under a 60 lb block of maple and the TT (w/Isonoe feet) on top of that. People that hear my system are amazed at how good it sounds with the equipment I have.

That M91ED is exactly as stated; clear, full and punchy. I will have to get that SAS soon.