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Modded or stock Technics SL1200G

I have been using my modded 1200G for one year now. I am still delighted with my choice to buy and mod this TT. I had Ralph (atmasphere) build an armboard and install it, Tri Mai built and installed the  Triplanar Classic SE tonearm, I added the Oracle Hard Acrylic mat and a HRS 315 gram record weight. Brian Walsh of ttsetup mounted the Lyra Kleos cartridge for me.

Having only used Lyra cartridges since 1988, it came as no surprise to run it for 80+ hours for it to open up. Even though "Mickeys" review stated 50-100 hours for break-in of the TT, It did surprise me that around 85-90 hrs for the whole rig open up and settled down.

Has anyone been unhappy with the purchase of their Technics SL1200G ? I would guess that many have used it stock but wonder if others have done any mods to improve SQ and what mods did they do ?

Platter mats, record weights or clamps, re-wiring the stock tonearm or installing a different tonearm. Power cord was hard but I got that too.


nkonor
jbrrp1
423 posts
 
@jtsnead 

I agree with Ralph's observation that your constraint on thicker mats seems puzzling.  I have the thickest mat I could put on without hiding the spindle, because I figured more acrylic would offer a better sink for the needle vibration energy, and it had the bonus of bringing my U12 into better VTA adjustment range.  Thinner would have limited my ability to drop VTA at all below neutral, and I have had cartridges that need that.
jtsnead's avatar
jtsnead
217 posts
 
Your right I had it backwards I needed the taller mat to get the arm higher so I could adjust vta better, its been a while since I listened to the 1200 with the TP. When I moved the arm to a SME 10 the arm sounded better to me it could of been a placebo effect but it seemed quieter less hashy if you know what I mean it which i attributed to the power supply built into the 1200 or just a better integration with the SME. I had a delrin board made for the TP buy a friend that makes hi end turntables.
fastricky
139 posts
 

Curious to hear from anyone else regarding swapping out the stock tonearm on the G for something "upmarket". Is it worth doing? IF so, I'd only want a tonearm with a removable headshell so I can swap out carts easily. Thanks all. 

billstevenson
1,165 posts
 

I set up a lot of turntables and have seen a lot of different arms over the years.  I like the Technics arm a lot.  I have a GAE and use that turntable more than any of my others because it is so easy to change head shells and readjust VTF and antiskating.  For me that makes the arm highly desirable.  I can think of no arm with an interchangeable head shell that is as easy to set up that sounds appreciably better.  YRMV.

travbrow
283 posts
 

I just got a 1210GME I am quite surprised how good it sounds. There’s no way I would change out the tonearm. It’s quite good enough, there’s people sticking uber expensive cartridges on it. I owned two different SP10MkII  turntables, one with EPA 500 and one with the BORON EPA 100MKII, this arm in my opinion is at least as good. The 1200GME turntable I think is big step above the SP10MKII. More advanced circuitry, better damping, platter and motor.

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