YES YES YES~ Technics SL-1200MK2

chgolatin2 · « **on:** 3 Dec 2008, 03:55 am »

aa I am soooo happy, just picked up 2 Technics Sl-1200 for $300!!! Thank you Craiglist!!!! They were dusty, uncleaned but the seller didn't know the hidden gem that he had in his possession, needless to say he wanted $400 for the pair but after nice little negotiation I talked him down to $300. I brought those baby home, took them apart inspected them, cleaned them up and now they are like BRAND NEW....

aa

Now time for a new needle and a nice phono, possibly a Bellari. Any good recommendations for a good needle? I may sell the other TT in the future, undecided

chgolatin2 · « **Reply #1 on:** 3 Dec 2008, 04:02 am »

Hmmm, maybe I will pick up a Shure M97xE

Airborn · « **Reply #2 on:** 3 Dec 2008, 04:39 am »

Nice score, but you should feel bad about taking advantage of the seller like that. I hope it wasn't a little old lady on social secuity.

I'm just joking. I'm using an AT 440 MLa on my Technics SL-1200 series tt to very nice effect. Btw, I've heard the Shure 97 on the Technics and the Audio Technica blows it away, imo.

TONEPUB · « **Reply #3 on:** 3 Dec 2008, 05:03 am »

Quote from: chgolatin2 on 3 Dec 2008, 04:02 am

Hmmm, maybe I will pick up a Shure M97xE

Got one with about 100 hours on it. Not using and you can have it for $50 if you want
it...

Just PM me.

chgolatin2 · « **Reply #4 on:** 4 Dec 2008, 12:23 am »

I just got one new for $55

Thanks

Listens2tubes · « **Reply #5 on:** 4 Dec 2008, 02:19 am »

The M97xE is a giant killer! I've always wondered if the V15VXMR micro-ridge stylus would fit?

Just the rambling of a half crazed vinylfool

richidoo · « **Reply #6 on:** 4 Dec 2008, 02:56 am »

I have M97 with Bellari tube on my Technic SLQ2. The combo is OK, but there is far more to be had from the grooves, but it's a good sound for starters. Nice tight bass, highs are not super extended, but pretty good to get you dancing.

chgolatin2 · « **Reply #7 on:** 4 Dec 2008, 03:45 am »

I just purchase the Bellari VP-129 from an Agon member "cheap" I was going to go with Cambridge audio 640P but it was solid state which I am not a huge fan of Solid State equipment, I love tubes personally. I would love to get me a nicer tube phono but my budget is limited for now...

JimJ · « **Reply #8 on:** 4 Dec 2008, 02:40 pm »

When you upgrade, the Bottlehead Seduction may be a good choice

I've been eyeing that one for when I ever sell my ARC preamp and go with separate line/phono pre's.

Now that you've got two turntables, got a microphone?

Wayner · « **Reply #9 on:** 4 Dec 2008, 03:13 pm »

Airborn is right on the AT440MLa. I had a Shure M97......boring, boring and more boring.

Wayner

TheChairGuy · « **Reply #10 on:** 4 Dec 2008, 04:15 pm »

Due mostly to it's very high inductance, the Shure M97xe should be loaded far higher than the bog standard 47K (resitive loading) available at most MM inputs.

A vinylphool buddy in Australia loves his foremost above the others he has....loaded at 62K.

Personally, I find closer-to-correct loading can make better a cartridge that's good already...or a bad one even worse if the loading is off by a lot. But, I've yet to find loading can make a sow's ear into a silk purse

Some have differed and find correct loading to be paramount to their enjoyment of any cartridge...I merely find it important. But, there are folks on both sides of the issue.

I found the last iteneration of the Shure V15 (which sold for 3x the cost of the M97xe) to be boring too (I didn't know about loading back then), but enjoyed the Shure M95HE I owned back in the 70's alot as I remember it.

The Shures all share very high inductance levels....and all are probably best loaded at well above 47K (at the very least, one should minimize the deleterious effects of capacitance throughout as too much capacitance will seriously roll off the treble, among other effects)

John

chgolatin2 · « **Reply #11 on:** 5 Dec 2008, 11:05 pm »

John, I sent you a PM

TONEPUB · « **Reply #12 on:** 6 Dec 2008, 12:17 am »

Quote from: Listens2tubes on 4 Dec 2008, 02:19 am

The M97xE is a giant killer! I've always wondered if the V15VXMR micro-ridge stylus would fit? Just the rambling of a half crazed vinylfool

Im with Wayner. My system has never sounded so lifeless than with an M97.
Sorry. Id much rather listen to digital.

Bill Baker · « **Reply #13 on:** 6 Dec 2008, 02:23 am »

I agree with the others. I did not care for the M97. Lifeless. For inexpensive cartridges, the AT and some Stantons make for a nice investment. I am running the AT 440ML on my vintage table as well as some other older tables I have around. For the money, I think this will be my cart of choice on vintage projects.

Something else to consider with some of the inexpensive Shure cartridges is their higher than normal tracking force requirements. This can prematurely chew up your vinyl

.

TONEPUB · « **Reply #14 on:** 6 Dec 2008, 04:36 am »

Gotta say, I've been enjoying the Denon 160. For 170 bucks it's not bad...

Wondering if I should get my SL-1200 rewired or just make a custom arm
board and mount my spare SME 309 on it!

TONEPUB · « **Reply #15 on:** 6 Dec 2008, 04:53 am »

Hmmm, spindle to pivot distance will work.

I think it's off to the machine shop to make a custom arm board!!!

chgolatin2 · « **Reply #16 on:** 6 Dec 2008, 10:30 pm »

Kabusa, recommend arm rewiring, fluid damping and RCA cable replacement...

TONEPUB · « **Reply #17 on:** 6 Dec 2008, 11:01 pm »

I think a current SME arm will be quite a bit better than the Technics, even rewired....

chgolatin2 · « **Reply #18 on:** 10 Dec 2008, 04:52 pm »

Once I get this table properly setup, modded, tweaked etc it will be worth way more than what I purchase both TT's but then again I got a great deal and I don't plan on selling them anytime soon, if not ever. Well, maybe I will sell one of my tables since I am not a DJ. So basically speaking I got one of my TT's for FREE! Hmmmmmm, I like FREE thats my FAVORITE WORD!

TheChairGuy · « **Reply #19 on:** 10 Dec 2008, 05:05 pm »

Quote from: chgolatin2 on 6 Dec 2008, 10:30 pm

Kabusa, recommend arm rewiring, fluid damping and RCA cable replacement...

I'm pretty sure that KAB only re-wires/mods units he sells you....as you've bought elsewhere, you need to find other venues to upgrade it.

The motor and strobe disabler you can do...no soldering skills needed (Kevin Barrett supplies one with splicers and full instructions). The silicone damping trough is $149.00 as is easily fitted to the Technics arm yourself.

Then again - you can just buy a new armboard from Sound Hi Fi in the UK for $50....and buy a used or new JELCO/AQ arm for $200 for splendid sonics. I like the JELCO/AQ over the Rega strictly because it has (horizontal) fluid damping built-in...which helps a lot of the time in vinyl playback. They're high quality arms for the money, too.

http://www.soundhifi.com/sl1200/index.htm

John