Technics SL1200MK2 Cartridge Discussion

Maril555: I ran a Shelter 501 Mk2 cart on my Technics Sl1210 M5G with great results, but if I had the KAB fluid Dampener it would have been even better, because this cart is low compliance and didn't work as well on my RB300 on my Funk Vector as it worked on the Technics arm.

Having recently received my SL-1200MKII with the KAB modified Cardas rewire I can say a fee quick things given the few hours I have played it yet.

1: The level of construction of the SL-12xx series based on my model is superb. I personally like its more industrial look. I like the blackness of the dense hard rubber base, reminds me sorta like hockey pucks :-) given I live in Canada. I chose a silver aluminium coloured model and it looks great, understated I'd say.

2: I don't get the whining some say about the tonearm. Thing looks solid and well engineered. It's machined to excellent tolerances and IMO easily rivals the RB250 which I had on a previous table. There is not discernible slack in bearings and the arm swings fluidly in all axises. The detachable head shell of all S shaped arms is said to be a weak link compared with one piece straight arms. Honestly in term of absolute measurements on a test bed maybe it is but properly mounted and locked to the arm pipe that joint is more than strong enough for any circumstance and there is absolutely no slack or issue over it and abnormal resonances. I'd say. The arm is a 12grams effective mass and in line with may other after market arms. So I see no issues over this either.

3: It rotates DEAD ON!!!!! and is also silent. I see and fear no sonic issues over the drive employed or how it was made. It is quieter than numerous other motors I've heard driving other brands of tables. I hear no problems with the sound from the spindle bearing either.

4: I have my Denon DL-110 cartridge on it and WOW it has nice synergy wit the arm and turntable. It is almost like a marriage made in heaven.

5: As for sound, it's only been a few hours but lets say it is an impressive sound from the SL-1200MKII with CARDAS rewire and my DL-110. Very deep and wide sound stage, no wow and flutter or other speed error issues that I can hear and good texture overall. My first impressions reaffirm much I have read on the SL-12xx series and it is a killer sub $1000 turntable. It's arm is compatible with many medium compliance cartridges and I'd have no issue recommending the DL-110 or DL-160 for those who want a great but still affordable M.C. cartridge for this set up.

03-13-08: Les_creative_edge
2: I don't get the whining some say about the tonearm. Thing looks solid and well engineered. It's machined to excellent tolerances and IMO easily rivals the RB250 which I had on a previous table. There is not discernible slack in bearings and the arm swings fluidly in all axises. The detachable head shell of all S shaped arms is said to be a weak link compared with one piece straight arms. Honestly in term of absolute measurements on a test bed maybe it is but properly mounted and locked to the arm pipe that joint is more than strong enough for any circumstance and there is absolutely no slack or issue over it and abnormal resonances. I'd say. The arm is a 12grams effective mass and in line with may other after market arms. So I see no issues over this either.

So in overall performance, would you say the fluid-damped Technics is at least the equal of an RB250?

I don't get the Technics tonearm-trashing either. I think British pride for its thriving audio cottage industry is at play here. The only two places I've seen the SL1200 tonearm trashed so thoroughly and dogmatically in print (without ever really stating what's wrong about its performance) so dogmatically is this review and at the Origin Live website, where they're pitching their own armboard and tonearms over the stock Technics.

In my own experience, however, I've been happy with the tonearm, especially with better wire (I have the M5G), the fluid damper, and a more rigid, better headshell (e.g., Sumiko). It tracks just about anything, I can get a good cartridge match with a wide variety of cart weights and compliances by changing weights of headshells and adding or removing the auxiliary counterweight, and by adjusting the fluid level in the damping trough.

You can't use the replacement cost of the Technics arm as an indicator of how good it is vs. an entry-level Rega. Technics has had over 30 years to refine its ability to mass-produce well-made, high-precision components. After all, look what a platter spinning mechanism they produce for a mere $400 retail. The Technics arm specifies bearings machined to .5 micron and <7mg friction drag. What do you pay for an aftermarket audiophile-approved tonearm to match that?

Although it's intuitive to assume a single-cast, straight tonearm would have a better stiffness/length ratio, I've yet to see anything that shows that it's actually true vis-a-vis an S-arm with removeable headshell.

You'll notice the Audiogon analog Big Guns never get involved in these Technics discussion threads...

:)

Being a hardware tech I would like to agree with much of what Les_creative_edge has to say as far as build quality and engineering. In a world of over priced, esoteric TT's, I think it is a thing of beauty. The textile feel of the controls is amazing and so easy to use, especially after a few cocktails. And on the fly VTA is crucial. Can it be improved upon with mods, yes. But I agree that changing the arm on this deck would be a crying shame. This table has a lot of history, and Technics has R&D'd the hell out of it. I also love the hockey puck base, and would like to add something fun here...

I am one of the best detail guys I know (auto/motorcycle). There is a product by Mothers called "Back-to-Black" that is just out of this world (anything "mothers" is great). I highly recommend treating the rubber base with this product. It will make the base look very, very rich. Especially next to the metalflake of the M5G. But I also did my 1210MK5 (charcoal) and it looks fantastic. I know that it would really bring out the contrast on the champaigne silver 1200MK5. One application will last indefinitely. I would not use Armor all or Sun of a Gun as they are very oily. Back-to-Black is not.

Try it, you will like it...