KAB 1200 vs. everything else.

Pauly, I mentioned twice before in this thread that I have used an
AT150Mlx in my analog rig. You wouldn't consider the $250 AT150Mlx
"over carting" the Technics, would you? The Dynavector XX sounds
better than the AT150Mlx, so I use the Dynavector (I paid less that half the retail
cost for it, so the cost ratio isn't as out-of-whack as the retail price would
indicate).

Now, perhaps I haven't found precisely the correct cart to use with the
Technics. Thus far, I have used a Benz Micro Ace, AT150Mlx and Dynavector
XX II. Frankly, they all had strengths. I'm not going to continue the search,
though. I don't have the patience or continued interest for it.

I should add that the carts were set-up using the MintLP Best Tractor (an
outstanding device that yields excellent results). I highly recommend the
MintLP.

1200 is a great table itself, and what Kevin does to it brings even more lifelike presentation to this already great table. In my opinion Kevin is actually playing it safe.
For the record - I had 1200s for quite some time, with various modifications and I was never able to find a table in $4-6k range that wound better it.
However, one has t understand that when directly comparing two tables all parameters have to be taken into account. Only then comparison can be fair.

12-26-08: Tvad ‘Pauly, I mentioned twice before in this thread that I have used an AT150Mlx in my analog rig. You wouldn't consider the $250 AT150Mlx "over carting" the Technics, would you?’

No I wouldn’t. The Dyna XXII on a SL is over carting and that’s what I was referring to. I think the 150 is a very good match for the SL.

12-26-08: Thus far, I have used a Benz Micro Ace, AT150Mlx and Dynavector XX II. Frankly, they all had strengths.

You cannot hear the XXIIs strengths on the Technics. A good hint of its strengths maybe, an improvement over the others, yes, but certainly not what XXII is really capable of. The XXII is too delicate an instrument for an SL to get the best out of it.

BTW, I did the same – I ran a Koetsu Rosewood on a Rega at one stage. My jaw dropped once I used the same cart on a better table. I simply couldn’t believe it was the same cart.

Regards
Paul

You cannot hear the XXIIs strengths on the Technics.
Pauly (Reviews | Threads | Answers)

I'm sure this is true. However, it performs better on the Technics than any of
the other carts I have used, and this was my goal: to maximize the Technics
rig, not to maximize the Dynavector. I understand the Dynavector on a better
table/arm would shine even brighter, but I am unlikely at this point to invest
further in analog.

The Technics/AT150Mlx combo may be a good match, and the individual
pieces may be ideally suited to maximize their individual performance,
but the sound of that combo is inferior to the less-than-ideally matched
Technics/Dynavector (in my system).

IMO, if the sound of the overall analog front end improves, then the
improvement is worthwhile, regardless of whether the maximum benefit is
being fulfilled by any of the individual pieces of the puzzle.

Of course the Dyna will better the AT. The question is whether the $ spent on the Dyna would have been "better" spent on a better table. The answer to that "theoretical" question is yes. In "reality" you had your own reasons for hanging onto the Technics and getting the deal on the Dyna, and it was an enjoyable improvement but not enough to keep you from moving on from analogue. cool.

On another front, re: the original question, the rubber hits the road not in theoretical conversations about exchange rates of 70s R&D dollars etc etc but in direct well conducted comparisons. I have not done such a comparison with a KAB 1200 but I have with the stock 1200 and my own taste did not favor the Technics. My only point here is to temper the religious feelings we'd all like to prove that we've seen the light and it only costs $500.

Happy New Year!