How good is the Technics 1200 Mk2 with all the KAb upgrades?


Guys while cleaning out my back room I found a new tech 1200 mk.2 that I bought years ago when kids were young- I forgot I even had it!!- It has pretty much all the KAB upgrades- How good a table is this compared to todays table- In other words how much would I need to spend to equal this table
If I keep it what upgrades would you recommend- thanks
fluffers
@lak
I do remember psychic animal. His enthusiasm for the Technics was definitely an influence on my decision to buy a KAB mod’d. SL1210M5G.

Another contributor was when I called a dealer to inquire about VPI and he started telling me about a listening experience he had recently at someone’s house where a Technics table (KAB mod’d, I believe) was in use. He had been very impressed with the "quietness" of the table. There might have been other virtues, too. I don’t recall. I am NOT trying to say the Technics is better than a VPI or that the dealer was saying that, either.  BUT the fact a dealer started telling me about a table they didn’t sell made an impression. Ultimately, the Technics was a good match for me.  Don’t have the patience or dexterity that I think might be required to keep some twitchier high end table in good nick.

@fluffers
JohnnyB53 is another A’gon member to read. He has posted quite a bit about tweaks to his Technics table...tone arm wrap w/teflon tape is one that comes to mind. He also used the inexpensive cone footer replacement that I shared with him but subsequently he may have gone to a more sophisticated aftermarket footer.

It seems to me you have all the available KAB mods but why not email Kevin and see if there is anything new (the original KAB record clamp was a press on type with rubber friction grip. He offers a screw down clamp now. Not sure which you have.) You might want to experiment with platter mats. I’m using Herbie’s Way Excellent. Vibration isolation as has been mentioned provides significant benefit. I’m using a heavy hard wood cutting board under mine (along with some various elastomeric materials as footers under it). Obviously, there are more sophisticated (and pricier) purpose-built options available.

With many choices for phono pre and lots of compatible cartridges, you could spend many enjoyable hours finding ways to extract the best sound from the Technics you have right now. Good luck. Hope you keep and enjoy it.

I had the same KAB mods on mine and liked it a lot.  I sold it when I bought a new SL1200GAE, which sounds a bit better.  Not a huge difference, but it you want the perspective, spend $4,000 on a new SL1200G and it will sound a wee bit better than yours.  Now let me bracket it.  I also have a VPI Prime, and it too, lists for $4K.  Stock I think yours would be very close to the Prime.  If you spend about $2K on mods the Prime is going to sound better.
I just installed the DC-1200 20v Regulator, it removed any noise I could hear.  Like the Strobe Disabler, only far better.
I have a KAB modded 1200 with isonoe feet, damper, 78 rpm, an Achromat and upgraded headshells.  He was still working on the tonearm rewiring when I bought mine so I didn't get that done.

Since you bought yours, Kevin has come up with a couple more minor tweaks but nothing essential.  I think you have a great turntable now.  Only thing I would upgrade is the mat.  Herbie's mats are good too.  Both are available with a return policy so not much to lose by trying one.

I never thought clamps improved the sound on mine but YMMV.

I just put a Hana EL cartridge on mine and it sounds better than anything I have had before.

I bought my table many years ago when my old table broke down.  It was going to be a stopgap until I could find a "real" table.  From reading reviews online I was sure I wanted a VPI, a Scoutmaster, the one that "HW hit so far out of the park it isn't funny" as one writer put it.  The Scoutmaster turned out to be the only turntable I have ever completely disliked.  Wonky unipivot tonearm and anemic presentation of music really put me off.  Checked out a number of other tables as well and came to the conclusion that I would have to spend over $4000 to considerably improve on what I had. 

I was going to buy the 1200G but the upcoming SP 10R is messing with my mind!

Let us know what you think when you get yours going.  If you decide to sell it I don't think you will lose any of your investment.
From someone who has owned an entry level project, Original VPI Scout

Currently I have a VPI Prime and a 1200mk5

I would lean towards keeping the KAB 1200. Reasons is simply money. You will be looking at a Prime used to have something maybe a little bit better or just a slightly different flavor.

My Prime and stock MK5 are pretty close. The Prime has better left to right Imaging and soundstage (not a huge difference). A smoother sound which you appreciate in longer listening sessions. It has a bit more round/fat bass as compared to the 1200. It has maybe a touch better resolution. Depth seems similar in my setup. 

Saying all this it could just be the cart differences as I have not done apples to apples comparison.  With all the KAB mods I could see Bill Stevenson opinions being pretty accurate. 

As I learn more about this hobby I realize at a certain point you have to devote longs listening sessions to discover if something is really an improvement. Stuff at these 4k price points sound more alike than different. The small differences are what we are paying for and choosing. To many these subtleties are worth it, to some they are not your choice.