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The Official *Technics SL-1200* Owners Club

FatMaul said:
Hi, I just became a member of the club. ... I'm changing the interconnects and the power cable which are the only "non-functional" things. I don't plan to mod it for internal ground but I feel like something needs to be done with the stylus lamp. It's kind of dim and I've seen other people with nice bright lamps and am wondering what you all think is the best option for that. Also this came with a super thick rubber slipmat, maybe 1/4". Was that how they came originally? Lastly, any tips on touching up the paint/powder coat on the top plate? It's not awful but there are some areas I'd like to address.
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Hello - Welcome to the Club!
Sorry to hear about interconnects & power cable. This is unusual.
Google + KAB should be able to address any sl1200 question. LOT of info out there.

I have not done anything with my lamps. KAB has got a LED Target Lamp (Stylus Illuminator), and some strobe replacements. I do recall an 'upgrade' that turned OFF the strobe to reduce noise. I would see what KAB said about LED/target lamp/noise prior to changes. Post back with any updates. Now that you mention it, a better target lamp would kinda be nice....

mat? yes, original technics RGS0010A mat is thick 17oz ~¼” (6 mil)

touchup paint? I don't think anyone has came up with a 'really good' option for the silver or black; last sl1200 paint thread on AK had some results posted. Best options I have seen are vinyl wraps, or learn to embrace the battle scars from a past life.
 
mrwood200 said:
Hello - Welcome to the Club!
Sorry to hear about interconnects & power cable. This is unusual.
Google + KAB should be able to address any sl1200 question. LOT of info out there.

I have not done anything with my lamps. KAB has got a LED Target Lamp (Stylus Illuminator), and some strobe replacements. I do recall an 'upgrade' that turned OFF the strobe to reduce noise. I would see what KAB said about LED/target lamp/noise prior to changes. Post back with any updates. Now that you mention it, a better target lamp would kinda be nice....

mat? yes, original technics RGS0010A mat is thick 17oz ~¼” (6 mil)

touchup paint? I don't think anyone has came up with a 'really good' option for the silver or black; last sl1200 paint thread on AK had some results posted. Best options I have seen are vinyl wraps, or learn to embrace the battle scars from a past life.
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Yeah the power cord was cut and spliced with another plug end so that had to go. The right channel in the rca cable was wonky near the connector when you moved the cable around. Those are easy fixes from my perspective and I think I got the table for a fair price even considering. Thanks for confirming the mat is correct. Everything about this turntable is so beefy but still classy.
 
FatMaul said:
Yeah the power cord was cut and spliced with another plug end so that had to go. The right channel in the rca cable was wonky near the connector when you moved the cable around. Those are easy fixes from my perspective and I think I got the table for a fair price even considering. Thanks for confirming the mat is correct. Everything about this turntable is so beefy but still classy.
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There are aftermarket faceplates that fit over original deck. Not fastening down. I placed thin vinyl foam between in a few spots . Hinges I shimmed out from base slightly to clear cover thickness.

This one is over a smoke stained silver deck, that wouldn't clean up. With cutouts for controls. I bought it a few years ago from a UK Ebay manufacturer. Don't know if they are still making it. Only one I saw with lettering. Was pricey, compared to others. But, closest to original look. There were other Ebay sellers offering in many colors, less lettering.

I've done a few KABUSA and other upgrades. KAB Wax support and new thrust plate, under spindle bearing. New interconnects. KAB Aluminum platter mat under the cork/rubber mat and multi-piece counterweight set. KAB vinyl donut spacers above feet. Fluid damper from a Greek Ebay seller.
I've carefully/very light pressure, polished the platter raised edge and dots with Mother's aluminium mag polish on small piece of Magic Eraser. Eraser wears to shape of platter form with use.
Enjoy your new table.
 
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I bought my 1200 MK5 before Technics stopped production. I think I paid about $650 for it then. I've added a KAB fluid damper, strobe disabler and phono plugs to the rear. And a bearing mod using a ceramic bearing and thrust pad. Back when that was the rage for a while. Probably not necessary but it's there and thus I have a spare original bearing assembly that's hard to find and probably expensive nowadays. I haven't considered a tonearm rewiring due to the labor going to that trouble. Wouldn't mind the KAB tonearm wand liner which is cheap but requires that labor that would preclude rewiring the arm. Any who, I've wondered if anyone has done or read of KAB's relatively recent power supply modification that sits internally within the plinth. I've considered that but haven't read any reviews on it.
But. All in all it's been my last turntable to use. They're just a solid and reliable platform to put your records on. No muss no fuss, rock steady and always ready.
 
OK, I've replaced the interconnects and plopped on a technics headshell I had, not sure if it's "real" or not plus my AT-VM95ML and noticed the anti-skate didn't really do anything testing on a acrylic slipmat. The arm just stayed put wherever I placed it regardless of the setting so I assume something's not right there. The arm moves freely but maybe the pivots need further inspection as well.
Edit: the top bearing was a wee bit tight. All good now.
 
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FatMaul said:
OK, I've replaced the interconnects and plopped on a technics headshell I had, not sure if it's "real" or not plus my AT-VM95ML and noticed the anti-skate didn't really do anything testing on a acrylic slipmat. The arm just stayed put wherever I placed it regardless of the setting so I assume something's not right there. The arm moves freely but maybe the pivots need further inspection as well.
Edit: the top bearing was a wee bit tight. All good now.
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FYI,
Here is a tonearm Friction test procedure from KABUSA site.
A tool can be made for bearing adjusting from a flat blade screwdriver TIP. I've made similar tips with Dremel tool . Or, KAB sells custom tip.
KABUSA is a good source of SL1200 info and parts.
Enjoy your TT.
 
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Old Guy8 said:
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FYI,
Here is a tonearm Friction test procedure from KABUSA site.
A tool can be made for bearing adjusting from a flat blade screwdriver TIP. I've made similar tips with Dremel tool . Or, KAB sells custom tip.
KABUSA is a good source of SL1200 info and parts.
Enjoy your TT.
Click to expand...
That’s awesome thanks. Yeah I figured out it was too tight when I removed the entire assembly and tried to let the arm swing vertically and it would stop after one swing.
 
I got a good offer to buy a brand new SL-1300G at the old $3199 price (not the $4K that they are now) so how could I refuse since I had just sold my Rega P3 50th Anniversary Edition earlier the same day.

I love the heavy brass clad platter and the dual rotor motor- it is extremely smooth and the black color looks better than my silver GR2... it might just have a slightly darker background than the silent GR2, if that is possible. I have an Ortofon Concorde Music Bronze cart on it right now and the sound is magnificent, but I will be researching a better cart as the 1300G can definitely handle a much pricier cart especially with my Schiit Starnja tube phono preamp.
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Edit: I found a review with a sound test of the rumble figures: GR2 was -69.2bB, the 1300G was -76 dB, so it is just a bit quieter
 
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krautmaster said:
I got a good offer to buy a brand new SL-1300G at the old $3199 price (not the $4K that they are now) so how could I refuse since I had just sold my Rega P3 50th Anniversary Edition earlier the same day.

I love the heavy brass clad platter and the dual rotor motor- it is extremely smooth and the black color looks better than my silver GR2... it might just have a slightly darker background than the silent GR2, if that is possible. I have an Ortofon Concorde Music Bronze cart on it right now and the sound is magnificent, but I will be researching a better cart as the 1300G can definitely handle a much pricier cart especially with my Schiit Starnja tube phono preamp.
View attachment 3656739View attachment 3656742View attachment 3656743View attachment 3656744

Edit: I found a review with a sound test of the rumble figures: GR2 was -69.2bB, the 1300G was -76 dB, so it is just a bit quieter
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would agree with your conclusions. to beat the 1300, a person needs to spend a lot more money.
 
I put my AT VM740xML cart on the SL-1300G and the Ortofon Concorde Music Bronze cart went on the 1200GR2 that is now in my office. For some reason the 740xML cartridge sounds smoother with the Schiit Stjarna tube phono amp in the main stereo, while the Concorde sounds better with the Pro-ject Tube Box DS2 phono amp in the office.

The Concorde has nearly twice the output of the 740 (6mV vs 3.5 mV) and likes the lowest gain setting on the DS2 (40db), while the 740xML plays excellent on the 47 db setting on the Stjarna (settings are 40, 47,55, 60 db).

I love my 1200GR2, but the 1300G with that thick brass plate on the platter and dual rotor motor is even smoother and quieter (and better looking IMO).
 
Killing Me Softly.
Roberta Flack - "Killing Me Softly." Atlantic Records. SD 7271. PRC Recording Company, Richmond IN. 1973
Run-out: ST-A-732915-HHH-I-III AT PR D

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