2. analog
  3. 160917-2029

Life After Technics SL1200 Mk5

Hi All,

i am starting the hunt for a new turntable and what to hear from past owners of Technics TT's.

My first real turntable was a Luxman PD272 with a Shure V15 Type IV cartridge, both of which I wore out. Given it was my formative years, I loved that set-up. I acquired my Technics 1200 Mk5 about ten years ago after a long journey down the digital fork in the road. 

Due to some technical furniture issues and WAF, I had to set the TT aside, again. I have rolled through various digital gear and currently use a PS Audio PWT and Theta ProBasic III R2R ladder DAC.

Anyway...I set up the Technics again with an AT150 MLX cartridge and....lo and behold...the digital setup, while not possessing that vinyl sound, does sound better than the SL1200 and AT150.

I did not want to believe this, so I reinstalled the cartridge and realigned the table. Same resort. Basically, the sound is a bit tilted to the treble, the bass is a bit thin compared to my digital gear, and the overall sound seems lean.I have fiddled with cartridge tracking and tonearm balance with no improvement.

So what is next? Is it I do not like the AT cartridge? Has my digital gear outgrown my TT?

That is why I want to learn about the experiences of those of you that moved to a different turntable from Technics. What Technics table did you have and what cartridge? What new turntable and cartridge replaced your Technics setup? How did the sound improve? I would appreciate any and all advice!

Thanks for listening,

Dsper


dsper
chakster's avatar
chakster
6,144 posts
 
My old pair of Technics SL1210 mk2 (heavily upgraded) is still here since 1995. Still perfectly working.

Technics SP-10 mkII is what you need, this is what I bought for my High-End setup when I was bored with upgraded SL1210 mkII.

My next one was Luxman PD-444 and this is the best turntable in the world in my opinion :)

Denon DP-80 is another option.

I have them all (in multiple samples).

Just stay with DIRECT DRIVE!

The best upgrade you can do for your old Technics after full rewire is a top quality perfecty matched MM cartridge and a phono stage. Your AT is OK, did you ever change tonearm internal wires? This is a weak point of all old Technics, you have to rewire it. Also there are much better cartridges than AT MLX series. 


dsper OP
657 posts
 
The best upgrade you can do for your old Technics after full rewire is a top quality perfecty matched MM cartridge and a phono stage. Your AT is OK, did you ever change tonearm internal wires? This is a weak point of all old Technics, you have to rewire it. Also there are much better cartridges than AT MLX series.

Hi Chakster,

Just to be clear, can you please describe what you mean by full rewire? Is it more than just the tonearm rewire?

I was thinking KABUSA could rewire the tonearm but never got to it when I dove into digital. Not sure I can do the the tonearm myself, but for what, $30, I can buy the wire and try. Not a lot to lose and I could always still send it to KABUSA. 

Also, understand your thoughts on a new cartridge. The AT 150 MLX seems a bit slanted to the treble and a bit thin to my ears. I also have Ortofon Concorde S40 that I find is too dark and closed in to my ears.  Any specific suggestions?

Thanks for listening,

Dsper


 

 
dsper OP
657 posts
 
I don't know how knowledgeable you are with analog but I did not know ANYTHING and I'm learning.
Hi liusma31,

I have read a lot but not sure how much I "know" about analog and turntables. Tonearms, cartridges, and compliance and their interrelationship is not working knowledge for me. I just recently downloaded an old Absolute Sound simple cartridge alignment tool from the net and tried it. I can hear an improvement with a better focused sound and suspect that I got the stylus more to the center of the record groove. 

Live and learn!

Dsper


chakster's avatar
chakster
6,144 posts
 
Hi Chakster,

Just to be clear, can you please describe what you mean by full rewire? Is it more than just the tonearm rewire?

I mean internal tonearm wires (4 of them) and external shielded phono cable.
Can can offer you his own, but you can buy better cables (not expensive) from Cardas or Discovery. If you like silver there are silver cables available too (from Audio Note or VdH for example).

Signal Cable Silver Resolution (Shielded) PHONO cable with separate ground wire is here. Any length you want, great price! KLE RCA are the best.

Unfortunately Zu Audio Mission Phono RCA for promotional (auction) price from the manufacturer on ebay are sold. It was the best copper cable for under $100.


dsper OP
657 posts
 
Ok, its on its way to KABUSA; we'll see what happens.
More to discover