SP10 Mk II vs Mk III

Lewm and guys

Do you think I should re-cap my SP-10 mkII that is "virtually brand new"?

It may be new to you but it's probably 20 years old and those caps are aged and due to fail.

Your sound will be better with modern Panasonic FC caps or black gate. Not a lot of money and you can prevent an old cap going and taking out a hard to find part.

Actually, unless it's a Mk2A, it is at least 30 years old, since date of manufacture. Obviously, I agree with Albert. My Mk2A had been fully serviced by Panasonic/Technics in 1989 and was not used thereafter; it was still in its shipping carton when I bought it. Nevertheless, I did the work noted, or I had it done by a pro. (I serviced the bearing and replaced the caps in the PS myself, then I gave it over to Bill Thalmann, to replace remaining caps in the on-board electronics, check speed, calibrate, etc.)

I will then look into replacing the capacitors in my SP-10 mkII. I am just scared of damaging the unit in one way or another.

I wouldn't worry too much unless you already have a problem with it - just leave it on 24/7 for a while.

Dear Lonestarsouth: +++++ " I for one would not dream of modifying my SP-10 mkII in any way. Got it "new in box" ++++

+++++ " Do you think I should re-cap my SP-10 mkII that is "virtually brand new"? " +++++

this kind of " anger/distress " to change caps and the like in a new SP-10 ( and even in a used unit ) IMHO and with all respect to other SP-10 owners has no real foundation on this specific subject:

+++++ Not a lot of money and you can prevent an old cap going and taking out a hard to find part " ++++, of course that you can do it but there is no sense behind that statement.

I own three of these units and two Denon's ( similar Sp-10 level and with inside caps too!!! ), old units and used for many years and with periods of no use at all.

No one of these units has any single trouble because the caps and not only this but over the years I never read or hear/know that with hundreds or maybe thousands of these top DD units out there any one has/had a cap that " disolve " in the TT damaged other TT electronic parts.

As I told you: you can do it but IMHO and for that subject that is unnecessary.

That " anger/distress " on the subject seems to me something like this:

" I have two days with my new Nissan Altima but I go to change it tomorrow because with it I could have an " accident "? "

Maybe could be better for you try to improve elsewhere your system to achieve a better audio system quality performance: tonearm, cartridge, tonearm set-up, cartridge set-up, tonearm/cartridge matching, tonearm rewiring, phono stage, tonearm cable, etc, etc

Regards and enjoy the music,
Raul.