[mklamb]

For the past few months, I have been on a quest to setup a decent turntable system. I have lurked in various forums and posted questions too, PM'd folks and researched a lot.
Finally, I have ended up with a system that I am very happy with and hope that this will be my "last" setup - barring a few KAB mods
(I know, I know - famous last words )

My system:
1. Turntable - Technics SL-1200MK2PK (black) (from eBay - mint)
2. Cartridge - AT440MLa
3. Phono Pre-amp - Cambridge Audio 640p
4. T-Amp - Trends Audio TA-10.1
5. Speakers - Tekton Design (custom speakers - more details below)
6. Cleaning equipment, cables, etc.

I had various conversations with members here and in audiokarma.org. One member in particular was very, very helpful and on his recommendation, I was close to purchasing the AT-PL120 but saw this awesome deal on eBay for the Technics and was not disappointed when it arrived - in perfect condition, minimal use. Checked with a stethoscope and the no sound, dead
He also led me to the AT-440MLa and the perfect purchase for the TT.

The Cambridge Audio 640p with the TA-10.1 is perfect. Both are still breaking in but Oh!, what great sound from the small collection of vinyl I have (Heaven!)

For the speakers, I have to thank another audiokarma.org member for his posts. His posts led me to Eric Alexander of Tekton Design and a lot of research on these speakers

Eric is a great person, friendly, helpful and very knowledgeable. I was apprehensive about buying speakers unseen and unheard but Eric walked me through the whole process of my speakers and helped me decide the speakers custom-made for my room, budget and requirements.

I will provide the details of the speakers in the Speaker forum but these speakers are the best I have heard within my budget and I auditioned many speakers in town. I can hear additional detail, expanded sound stage, warmth and a level of realism I have never heard from a CD or previous old speakers I was using as a standby.

Kudos to Eric on these speakers; he has a customer for life!!
Details of the speakers are in the speakers forum:
http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=60703.msg541921#msg541921

I have setup the system using the Hi-Fi News Analogue Test LP and the Cardas Frequency Sweep LP; along with the cartridge setup with help from various forums and websites. I have been enjoying my small collection of vinyl for the past two days. More LPs are on the way.

Pictures:
http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?action=gallery;area=browse;album=1611

Thanx to everyone who helped me along my journey,
Mahesh

[TheChairGuy]

Looking and sounding good, Mahesh 

John

[mklamb]

Looking and sounding good, Mahesh 

John

Thanx John!

[woodsyi]

You guys are making it very curious.  Is there anybody within 200 miles of Washington DC with a KAB Technics TT set up who is willing to swap the system with me for a month or so?  I will put up a mid level belt drive LOMC set up -- Basis 1400, Rega 250 arm with incognito wiring, Benz Glider 2, Ear 834P and magnetic suspension rack -- for you to try while I try yours.  The exchange should be done in person as I am not familiar with the KAB Technics set up to put everything up from scratch.     

[TheChairGuy]

Mahesh,

A surprisingly effective, and inexpensive, tweek not on the KAB list is replacing the stock rubber feet with brass toes.

My toes ($20/set of 4 at Parts Express) are pointed headlong into a 3.5" thick piece of maple cutting block.  It's quite instructive how 'lively' the oft-overdamped presentation of the Technics gets with this set-up.

I've also replaced the stock rubber mat with a EAR ISODAMP sub-mat (to damp the metal platter further) and a Herbie's Way Excellent top mat (to provide better interface with the record).  The stock rubber damps okay, but is a truly poor interface (it has the effect of sucking the lifeforce/energy from the music) with the record.

The two tweeks at two critical junctions, tho I'm not sure in what order they should go (before or after the KAB tweeks), are both remarkably beneficial to the sonics and worthwhile for you to try as your budget dictates 

John

[mklamb]

Mahesh,

A surprisingly effective, and inexpensive, tweek not on the KAB list is replacing the stock rubber feet with brass toes.

My toes ($20/set of 4 at Parts Express) are pointed headlong into a 3.5" thick piece of maple cutting block.  It's quite instructive how 'lively' the oft-overdamped presentation of the Technics gets with this set-up.

I've also replaced the stock rubber mat with a EAR ISODAMP sub-mat (to damp the metal platter further) and a Herbie's Way Excellent top mat (to provide better interface with the record).  The stock rubber damps okay, but is a truly poor interface (it has the effect of sucking the lifeforce/energy from the music) with the record.

The two tweeks at two critical junctions, tho I'm not sure in what order they should go (before or after the KAB tweeks), are both remarkably beneficial to the sonics and worthwhile for you to try as your budget dictates 

John

Thanx John! I will keep these tweaks in mind. I am not very DIY but where would I get the ISODAMP? And what type? Tools if I decide DIY?

[JimJ]

Very nice Fostex speakers rock.

I miss my SL-1200MK2 Great table...

[TheChairGuy]

Thanx John! I will keep these tweaks in mind. I am not very DIY but where would I get the ISODAMP? And what type? Tools if I decide DIY?

mklamb and I spoke before in a PM about this...but for others, here is the readily-available source for EAR C-1002 Isodamp...Michael Percy Audio in California: http://www.percyaudio.com/Catalog.pdf

P. 19.  Cut your own 12" round sub-platter and save 

I have both the 0.625" and 0.125" thick Isodamp sheets here (I cut out the 0.125" and use that along with the Herbies mat as I have VTA adjustment on my tonearm...as would anyone with the stock Technics arm)

By the way, I now know of 3 folks that sell armboards to replace the stock Technics arm with....Rega clones, JELCO/Linn's and even SME's will not fit on the SL-1200 series in place of the stock arm if one would like.

I might list them in another post as there are enough SL-1200 users here.  You need not throw away your stock arm...you can compare the two and decide for yourself which is more beneficial to you set-up 

John

[mklamb]

Thanx John!

[JimJ]

I only knew of Origin Live's adapter, I'd be interested to know if/when I get another Technics

Something like a modded RB250 would be great on a 1200MK2.

[Airborn]

My system:
1. Turntable - Technics SL-1200MK2PK (black) (from eBay - mint)
2. Cartridge - AT440MLa
3. Phono Pre-amp - Cambridge Audio 640p

Hey, I resemble that vinyl front end.   That's a nice first turntable system; it took me 3 previous turntables/phono stage/cartridge combos to find the technics SL-1210/640p/440 MLa synergy.   Please try the KAB tonearm fluid damping trough, as many hours of research have led me to conclude that will probably be the single most effective upgrade for a technics sl-1200 series tt.  At least that's the first upgrade I am going to make to my stock technics SL-1210.     Now work on that small collection of vinyl and enjoy the music.

[lcrim]

Changing out the tonearm is also throwing out the neatest VTA adjustment in creation as well as removing the possibility of using a totally engineered hydraulic damping system.