Scored a Technics SL1200mk2 off the Bay!

[soundman2]

What a day! Just looking through Ebay (as you do) I came across a mint condition (boxed) Technics SL1200mk2 which has everything with it and judging by the photo's it's a beauty. Only thing it does not have is the headshell - no biggie.

The seller has 100% feedback of over 600 transactions so I get the feeling this guy knows what he is doing. WOW! Last October scored a 1210mk2 and now a 1200 mk2 which is basically the same deck only in silver. ***Edited by Moderator***

YIPPEE!

 

[gadget73]

Cool, though I'm not totally sure I'd swap a Thorens for a 1200. Thats possibly just me as someone who owns a Thorens and has no experience with a 1200 series though.

 

[thedelihaus]

Congrats- I hope you enjoy it.

Are you handy? $60 in parts can get you some big improvements in clarity regarding simple arm mods.

 

[iceman79]

I had a 166mk2 as well and sold it. The SL-1200mk2 is better in every aspect of the design and performance.
The 166mk2 is a complete disaster from it's terrible arm to the cardboard bottom. Can you tell I was really disappointed in this deck?

 

[thedelihaus]

To be fair to Thorens, the Thorens TD166mk2 was not one of their better tables.

To be fair to Technics, I've modded a few Technics, and they replaced the owners other tables, including some Thorens and so far, two Linns.

Not saying it was better, but they did keep the modded Technics.

 

[Frank Sol]

As thedelihaus suggested... Have the arm rewired and dampened (DIY or Tech) then get a KAB Tonearm Fluid Damper

 

[soundman2]

Thanks for the comments!

I am quite happy with the way the 1200/1210 sounds as it is so I'm going to keep it all original and not bother with any upgrades......well......maybe not now....but in the future who knows.

 

[Frank Sol]

I am quite happy with the way the 1200/1210 sounds as it is so I'm going to keep it all original and not bother with any upgrades......

Enjoy the

I know a guy with a used 1200mk2 & DL103... He is happier than a pig in


































mud

 

[ODS123]

congrats!

I just bought a new Technics SL-1200mk2 (not many left!) and love it. ..It's been suggested to me too that I modify it. With no disrespect meant to those who've bought these mods (or perform them for $) I'm not interested in doing this either. I'm very much a skeptic when it comes to fancy wires and as for the dampener, I'd have to hear (while blind-folded) a so modded SL-1200 alongside a non-modded unit before shelling out $$ for it.

I can't help but wonder if the primary accomplishment of these mods isn't to more or less anoint the modded TT as now being "audiophile-approved". ..For those who have them listed in their signature seem to always mention "KAB modded".

 

[iceman79]

^ Try some plumbers Teflon tape from your tool box or buy some for $1.99 and wrap a couple of layers around your tone arm. Re set arm and give it a listen! It' super cheap and you WILL hear a difference.

 

[awise1961]

congrats!

I just bought a new Technics SL-1200mk2 (not many left!) and love it. ..It's been suggested to me too that I modify it. With no disrespect meant to those who've bought these mods (or perform them for $) I'm not interested in doing this either. I'm very much a skeptic when it comes to fancy wires and as for the dampener, I'd have to hear (while blind-folded) a so modded SL-1200 alongside a non-modded unit before shelling out $$ for it.

I can't help but wonder if the primary accomplishment of these mods isn't to more or less anoint the modded TT as now being "audiophile-approved". ..For those who have them listed in their signature seem to always mention "KAB modded".

The SL1200, like many items, was produced to meet a certain price point and thus has many corresponding comprimises. The mod's that Deli and others discuss overcome those comprimises and build upon what is a great foundation. In the end, you end up with a giant killer so to speak of a TT that costs a fraction of other audiophile grade TT's.

Al. Wise

 

[Stacker45]

congrats!

I just bought a new Technics SL-1200mk2 (not many left!) and love it. ..It's been suggested to me too that I modify it. With no disrespect meant to those who've bought these mods (or perform them for $) I'm not interested in doing this either. I'm very much a skeptic when it comes to fancy wires and as for the dampener, I'd have to hear (while blind-folded) a so modded SL-1200 alongside a non-modded unit before shelling out $$ for it.

I can't help but wonder if the primary accomplishment of these mods isn't to more or less anoint the modded TT as now being "audiophile-approved". ..For those who have them listed in their signature seem to always mention "KAB modded".

I agree with you 100%

 

[ODS123]

^ Try some plumbers Teflon tape from your tool box or buy some for $1.99 and wrap a couple of layers around your tone arm. Re set arm and give it a listen! It' super cheap and you WILL hear a difference.

An interesting idea but I'd need two SL1200's; one to mod and one not, then switch b/w them.

I suppose I could make two album rips using VinylStudio; one with my 1200 prior to taping the tonearm, then one after and then see if I can hear a difference.

I must admit I'm skeptical. It's hard to fathom Technics having the engineering expertise to design and build the SL1200 to be rock steady, dead quiet, and to last for decades without at some point figuring out they could up the performance by adding a little deadening material inside the arm. Seems quite improbable, but who knows.

 

[ODS123]

The SL1200, like many items, was produced to meet a certain price point and thus has many corresponding comprimises. The mod's that Deli and others discuss overcome those comprimises and build upon what is a great foundation. In the end, you end up with a giant killer so to speak of a TT that costs a fraction of other audiophile grade TT's.

Al. Wise

Perhaps, but considering that Technics sold millions of these turntables over decades means (to my thinking, anyway) that they had an economies of scale advantage that no other manufacturer shared. ..This could be why the SL1200, at $700 retail, had a heft and level of craftsmanship that no other similarly priced table could match. ..To me, the other comparable tables - which in aggregate sold probably in the thousands, rather than millions - looked and felt like a plank of (nicely finished) wood, with a very simple tonearm.

 

[thedelihaus]

I have done the mods myself for AKer friends. Like me, they too, are skeptics.

But not one has said these modifications didn't improve the table.

I don't sell kits and make no money off sharing my advice, but my years of tonearm experience with this table and others tells me a few hours and $60 makes a positive difference.

I do feel the other more expensive mods help as well, but they are incremental and smaller steps.

For what it's worth, AudioQuest puts a rubber sleeve on it's arm, Sumiko fills it with foam, both use a solid (vs hollow) end stub, and many other arms all share these in stock form.

I've never said the stock table is bad. I simply, humbly say a tiny bit of cash and effort can do wonders for the table.

 

[Frank Sol]

I can't help but wonder if the primary accomplishment of these mods isn't to more or less anoint the modded TT as now being "audiophile-approved".

..For those who have them listed in their signature seem to always mention "KAB modded".

Those self-righteous Bastards !! Almost as bad as Trolls

:lmao:

 

[awise1961]

Perhaps, but considering that Technics sold millions of these turntables over decades means (to my thinking, anyway) that they had an economies of scale advantage that no other manufacturer shared. ..This could be why the SL1200, at $700 retail, had a heft and level of craftsmanship that no other similarly priced table could match. ..To me, the other comparable tables - which in aggregate sold probably in the thousands, rather than millions - looked and felt like a plank of (nicely finished) wood, with a very simple tonearm.

And Ford sold millions of Mustangs, but Carrol Shelby turned it into a world class performace car.
Same principles apply here.
If your happy with the way your SL1200 sounds, that's great.
But your inexperience doesn't allow you to insult the members here that have choosen to experiment over the years and take things to another level.

Al. Wise

 

[Frank Sol]

BTW - Here is a $5.00 mod. Do NOT underestimate its value if you do not use the weighted one

Tonearm Resonance Cap

 

[gusten]

I suppose I could make two album rips using VinylStudio; one with my 1200 prior to taping the tonearm, then one after and then see if I can hear a difference.

That is really the only way to do it. Do some rips from known albums before and after whatever mod is done. Listen to it without knowing which is which. Preferably also do some measuring.
Phantom perception is very strong and real, listening to a mod by just listening, and knowing that you are listening to an 'upgrade' will always sound better.
gusten

 

[ODS123]

And Ford sold millions of Mustangs, but Carrol Shelby turned it into a world class performace car.
Same principles apply here.
If your happy with the way your SL1200 sounds, that's great.
But your inexperience doesn't allow you to insult the members here that have choosen to experiment over the years and take things to another level.

Al. Wise

It's not the same. Shelby's upgrades amounted to extensive (and expensive) re-engineering of key aspects of the Mustangs engine and suspension which resulted in measurable improvements in performance. ..with audio gear, we have to rely on hearing which is suspect to considerable expectation-bias.

But don't get upset with me Al; I'm not trying to insult. I fully admit that I may be wrong about all of this. ..But I'm free to express my skepticism. And as I said, perhaps I'll perform some of the simpler and non-permanent mods, then do comparative analog-to-digital rips and see if I can hear a difference. ..Maybe I'll even fwd the files to anyone interested.