New Technics SL 1200 GAE

OK- We took the machine apart doing a complete analysis.

Thoughts on the adjustable torque control setting?

The stock setting is pretty good. It takes a bit to stop it, but if you let go its up to speed really fast. It might win a little bit to tinker with it, but it seems that is at a point of diminishing return already. In the meantime, if you are using a Sutherland Timeline, when you set the needle down on the LP its quite steady.

The reason I brought up the torque control was a previously posted statement that once set to manual, and then adjusting with the "pot"
there was a positive result in decay etc.

Audiofun
trust me, adjusting the torque profile will give it to you and then some.

@andysf

I don’t find the looks of the SP 10 to be more attractive, in any case.

Really? Maybe the stock technics obsidian plinth is not attractive at all, but if you put your SP-10mk2 in a good wooden plinth (like i did with mine, click here) it does looks much better and can accept any king of tonearm including "12 inch.

Chakster:  Not knocking the SP 10!  I would be very happy to own one but am wary of buying one used.  Your plinth looks great but the SP 10 was designed for professional use and looks the part: a bit clunky and 70s bland.  I didn't say it looked bad-just not any better than the SL 1200!  I really like the looks of the Thorens 124 or the Garrard 301.  In modern turntables I like the all wood SOTA and the Kuzma S (pipe bomb).  This is all a matter of taste, of course.  Some tables look better than they sound...

Atmasphere:  I would also be interested in how changed the torque might effect the sound.  One poster felt that reducing it had a very positive effect.

I would also be interested in how changed the torque might effect the sound. One poster felt that reducing it had a very positive effect.

Usually reducing the torque reduces speed stability. That can cause the arm to waver slightly, changing the lateral tracking forces, which in turn can cause the soundstage to have a slight shimmer to it. What you are looking for is the same soundstage solidarity that tape has (or real life for that matter). IOW, I'm suspicious of this claim. However we've not played around with it to any great extent. We will do more of that after the Triplanar is mounted.