Technics SL-1200 series as an audiophile turntable?

[Autobot]

Sweet

Just a update:

Received both items today! I really won't get a chance till the weekend to give it a good going over but I will give my review then.

:thmbsp::thmbsp: for PCNation! Super service super price and super duper fast shipping!

who da man?
You da man :thmbsp:

 

[Big Mac]

Well, I pulled the trigger on the 1210m5g from PCNation......

No email confirmation yet......I'll keep everyone posted...

I can't wait to get this table....I have a Denon DL160 and an Ortofon 2M Red all broken in for this baby......I'll go with the Denon first

 

[Autobot]

This is great

This is really getting good.
if I counted correctly that's 6 x 1200's This month alone.

1...did you pull the trigger?

Ok, ready to pull the trigger on the 1200. Coming from a Technics SL-BD20, with a P-mount cartridge, will the 1200 be difficult to set up?

2

New SL-1210 m5g owner here....I LOVE this table and just cannot say enough good things about it. I have mine mated with a Benz-Micro Silver which is a very sweet combination....

Audiophile looking? Maybe not. Audiophile performance? Without question. :yes:

3

My MK2 arrived today!!!! however, my cart hasn't come from amazon yet, so i've got this awesome shiny table i can't use...

4

Just got it up & running. Very easy set up with the shure. Sounds great! Very happy with it, PCNation did a great job. Fresh in the box, Shure cartridge sounds nice. Family night here, can't wait for everyone to leave so I can crank it up!

5

Just a update:

Received both items today! I really won't get a chance till the weekend to give it a good going over but I will give my review then.

:thmbsp::thmbsp: for PCNation! Super service super price and super duper fast shipping!

6 one on the way

Well, I pulled the trigger on the 1210m5g from PCNation......

No email confirmation yet......I'll keep everyone posted...

I can't wait to get this table....I have a Denon DL160 and an Ortofon 2M Red all broken in for this baby......I'll go with the Denon first

 

[jdwk]

alright now! we gotta get one of those people that thinks they wont like a 1200 to give one a chance in their home, whos next? Take the 1200 challenge!!!!! I really doubt you will be sorry! especially with a good cart or KAB mods!!!!

 

[Tapehead47]

Congratulations to all new buyers! Looking forward to all your reviews

Rick

 

[thedelihaus]

Big thing I keep digging up as a negative on this table is the "dark" wiring of the stockers (but might not be applicable to the M5G).


As much as the RCA replacement is an improvement, I'm starting to believe all the talk of the "issue" of the arm is going to boil down to a simple fix of re-wiring it. That's it. Nothing more.


And maybe- experimenting with deadening the arm- achieved with a cheap piece of shrinkwrap or plumber's tape.


Lastly, while the fluid damper is an excellent add-on, and seems to surely help (even SME arms benefitted from fluid dampening), other spots that can benefit from upgrading seems to be the power supply.

Swapping to an outboard power supply brings this table up to a much higher standard of performance.



That said- this table, at it's price point, is a screamingly good performer. Even at a much higher price it would still be a great bargain.

Adding the more expensive mods like the fluid damper and external power supply puts at least a $300 premium to the table, but at a combined of $650-$750 cost, the table is performing at a much higher standard, a much higher pricepoint.




While the "weaknesses" of the table can be improved from mods that cost a few dollars, to mods that cost hundreds, one should remember the term "weaknesses" should be kept in context.



I wouldn't call them weaknesses, but components that are balanced out between performance and cost-effectiveness to bring you an overly reasonably priced turntable.




There's always room for improvement- even with things like Corvettes and Chriscraft boats and Ducati motorcycles and Frank Lloyd Wright homes.

 

[golana]

Swapping to an outboard power supply brings this table up to a much higher standard of performance.

Does anyone know of a schematic for this, I would love to do this DIY.
All the background I've drug up, points to the the thing. Should make for an outstanding performer.

 

[MaxSeven]

Any photos of the new acquisitions?

I'm particularly fond of the 1210M5G!

 

[SLM3Tech]

Sewing machine oil will work.

But, at under $15 delivered, a bottle of the technics specific oil should last you at least 15 years, so you're spending less than a dollar a year to keep your turntable properly lubricated to spec, and working properly.

That's cheap insurance and cheaper than spending $35 on a new spindle due to improper care.

+1 on the sewing machine oil

I got it long before I knew you could still get the Technics specific stuff. It's a much bigger bottle. If that little tube will last that long, I'm really gonna have to find some new uses for the stuff... ...or maybe by a couple dozen more TT's...

 

[KentTeffeteller]

Should I consider a record clamp? Many say it's an upgrade.

 

[HypnoToad]

The cheapest upgrade for this and probably many other turntables is what I did.

Cut four squares of polystyrene foam about one inch thick and 3 inches by 3 inches.

Put one under each foot of the turntable and adjust for levelness.

It made a noticeable difference to both my turntables (SL 1200 Mk2 & SL 1700).

 

[Autobot]

PCNation sold out

I was going to refer a friend to the site and when I went to copy the link saw they are sold out.
Guess Audio Karma cleaned them out.

 

[Big Mac]

I just got off the phone with PCNation....my 1210 is backordered for 5-7 days....at that price I can afford to wait!!:thmbsp:

 

[targeteye]

I've had a brand new Mark 2 for about a week now. Lots of listening last weekend and probably some more in store for this weekend. This table is a huge and dramatic improvement over the Dual 1229 it replaced and I dare say that I didn't think the 1229 was all that bad. The pitch and stability of the TT is rock solid. And it is dead quiet to my ears. It is almost immune from footfalls in my two story house for casually walking around. (the Dual would skip with all but the most gentle walking). The Bass tightened up a bit. I had been blaming the at times boomy nature of the L150a / FIsher 400 combo on the Fisher. Nope.. it was the 1229. If this isn't an audiophile TT then I guess i'm not an audiophile .. that doesn't bug me since I hate that term anyway.


As for upgrades I really can not buy into the power supply thing. It cleans up the power supply ripple. So? I hear absolutely no hint of a 120 or 60hz hum or buzz coming from this TT so this ripple is not making its way into the audio path and the platter is rock solid on. IMHO i'm thinking this may be money wasted for this TT but i'll be open minded about it if someone can explain why it would make a difference.

The damper would be interesting to try but I think at $150 it may be an overpriced mod. Between rewiring the arm, the damper etc I would rather put that money towards an SME arm if I were to think about upgrading. Not that I think there is any major flaw in the existing arm.

Steve

 

[gumbercules]

got my mk2 finally up and running last night... this thing sounds amazing.

 

[jdwk]

I had a Dual 1229Q and the Technics 1200 definitely walked all over it. I'd never go back, and your right....the Dual doesnt sound bad at all for what it is. the 1200 simply just is a better table.

 

[Old_Tech]

As for upgrades I really can not buy into the power supply thing. It cleans up the power supply ripple. So? I hear absolutely no hint of a 120 or 60hz hum or buzz coming from this TT so this ripple is not making its way into the audio path and the platter is rock solid on. Steve

Steve, You would not benefit from the external power supply on a table of this quality. One thing I am curious on, can you hear even the faintest amount of noise as the tonearm nears the inner grooves?

Congrats on your purchase! :thmbsp:

 

[wushuliu]

The cheapest upgrade for this and probably many other turntables is what I did.

Cut four squares of polystyrene foam about one inch thick and 3 inches by 3 inches.

Put one under each foot of the turntable and adjust for levelness.

It made a noticeable difference to both my turntables (SL 1200 Mk2 & SL 1700).

Seconded. My 1200 sits on a Lack table. I used some Magic Eraser cut into squares under the feet temporarily. There was a marked improvement in the sound.

I ended up replacing the feet with brass cones from PE and swapped the Magic Eraser for small marble blocks. Another big improvement...

 

[Old_Tech]

The cheapest upgrade for this and probably many other turntables is what I did.

Cut four squares of polystyrene foam about one inch thick and 3 inches by 3 inches.

Put one under each foot of the turntable and adjust for levelness.

It made a noticeable difference to both my turntables (SL 1200 Mk2 & SL 1700).

Polystyrene foam -Is that material like packing peanuts? Styrofoam? Or do you mean like foam rubber - the spongy stuff used for precision packaging?
Thanks!

 

[JHoman]

Well, I have got to use my 1210 this week since I got it Monday night. Each morning I spin an album as I get ready for work. Tonight I got home to an empty house and put on the Dubie Bros, (Living on the Fault Line) & Steely Dan (Pretzel Logic) all I can say is I love it. Nice tracking and no hum or any other noticeable noise. Very simple, yet sounds so clean. The Shure 97 is crisp and forgiving.

Best set up for under $500.00 IMHO

I so glad I don't live real close to anyone! I can't wait until everything breaks in!