Technics SP-10 MKIIA tonearms

Hi Lencotweaker, Lewm , Raul

There is a guy I know in Australia who has 3 of the SL1000mk3. One is the D version that has the straight arm P mount especially made for the EPC1000mk4. The guy bought a epcmk4, unfortunately the suspension collapsed. He is selling this one. I don't want the P mount arm, even thou it would match my mk4 perfectly, until it wears out.

He was going to sell me one of his mk2 tonearmns and give me another blank arm board, hence the question re the Phantom as I all ready own one. The sp10 has a obvious scratch on it and a few other marks, the plinth looks nice and he said the tonearm is 9/10. All works perfectly. He can only spare a mk1 headshell.

It is a concern that heavy carts can't really be used as the Technics headshell is 9.5 GMs and it can only take 10gm cart on the specs. Of course my mk4 cart would be on it for a while :-)

Still, it is not inexpensive, so at this point will probably pass as I already spend way too much $$ on this hobby of ours.
Also a bit concerned with the potential to have to replace caps etc, etc. Even thou the guy has never had any issues.

Cheers

Unfortunately, electrolytic capacitors will always fail with age, usually anywhere from 10 to 25 years, depending upon use and abuse. It's "the law". But fortunately, modern electrolytics are superior to the ones that were made when the Mk3 was built, and they are very cheap compared to the value of the turntable. In the US, all the capacitors needed can probably be purchased for around $30, from Digikey or Mouser, good quality ones like Panasonic, Nichicon, ELNA Silmic. Removing the old capacitors and replacing them with new is only a matter of soldering skill. No thought is necessary, since you would simply be replacing like with like. I think you can find a service manual on Vinyl Engine. If not, I may have a copy in pdf format. It contains a parts list which can be used as a guide to ordering replacement capacitors.

If you can get hold of a mk3 at a sensible price then at the very least it's an investment given the way mk3 prices are going. Would make a very lovely table with a bit of TLC.