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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
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.

fastricky
139 posts
 

As much as it seems I've been throwing $ around lately at this sport I really do enjoy saving it too so thanks for the comments on keeping the stock tonearm! 

danmar123's avatar
danmar123
625 posts
 

I own a GAE # 800+, and had the AT150mlx on the stock arm & w/pro-ject Sig. Carbon HS. when it first arrived. Loved the 100 plus hours I spun on it. Than went to the Hana ML & was a lil bright with the Signature, so I pull the trigger on a Yamamoto HS1A (African Black Wood) & that gave the Hana a chance to show it's best on the stock arm. I had a SME 309 on my 1200 mkll & got the bug to swap out the arms, & as of today, that's where it stays. I have the Ortho Cadenza Black & the Black Mono carts, both with their own HS & same hardware (identical weight) for an easy swap. I have almost 200 hrs on the Black & have no interest in trying another Cart. I also have an EMT 948/929 arm with the TSD-MRB cart, with(190 hrs) on that. The GAE setup give more of that romantic sound via the ModWright PH 9.0 with Siemens tubes installed. Most of the time the EMT is my choice for spinning. 

Enjoy the music!

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