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Technics 1200 Sent for KAB Mods - w/Audio Samples

Hi All -
Like many Audio-goners, I've been curious about the KAB technics 1200 mods. I've just sent the 'table to KAB for a rewire but recorded three samples of the un-KAB-modded table for future comparison. You can download them from Rapidshare if you are curious! (you get one download every 30 minutes for free, or just change computers and download from there if you can't wait).

I made 3 selections that I am very familiar with. I'm already a little sick of them since I had to record them, edit the recordings, and bounce them to AIFF (44.1Khz, 16-Bit). Using these as a baseline, I hope to be able to readily identify the changes any upgrades will bring.

Current system consists of: Technics SL1210MK2, Ortofon 2M Blue cartridge, and the phonostage of an old NAD 7100 receiver. This was fed to my Pro-Tools MBOX and recorded at 48KHZ, 24 Bits. These have been bounced to AIFF files so that they can be burned onto a standard CD for comaprison.

The tracks are:
Paul McCartney, "Too Many People" from the original US Apple pressing of RAM:
http://rapidshare.com/files/120396900/TooMany1200NoMods.aiff.html

Miles Davis, "Seven Steps To Heaven" from a 90s Columbia standard-issue "Seven Steps..." LP.
http://rapidshare.com/files/120381110/7Steps1200nomods.aiff.html

Holst, "Venus" from The Planets conducted by Adrian Boult, Angel 1967 LP.
http://rapidshare.com/files/120368827/Venus1200NoMods.aiff.html

Now, the name "No Mods" is a slight misnomer, as the table has brass cones instead of the original feet. Despite this "mod", the stock 'table sounds kind of ordinary.

Note that I used "real world" used records for this instead of audiophile pressings - this was done on purpose. I am interested in upgrading my turntable in order to enjoy my current record collection, which includes all-analog British vinyl Beatles as well as some other great-sounding goodies, but also some not-so-well-cared-for finds.

I hope others will find this useful and fun!

Take care,

-Joel
128x128joelv
starsandseas
37 posts
 
Thank you for this experiment. I have been thinking about purchasing this turntable for a couple of weeks!

I have been scrutinizing the recordings carefully and have a couple of questions.

First how were the recordings made? Did you use the exact same settings under as similar conditions as possible? Did you normalize the signal before saving?

I find that slight differences in volume make a big difference in perceived sound quality. Did you take this into account in any way?

Thank you very much. I will continue to listen and compare,

Ron
joelv's avatar
joelv OP
103 posts
 
Hi Ron -

Another audio-goner and I are trying to determine why the levels are changed... it's possible i had the rumble filter "off" for the last recording, but I can't account for the level differences other than I blew it on the recording.

I went straight into my MBox with the gain turned all the way down... I may have selected "mic" input instead of "line" which would account for level differences.

Which are you hearing as louder or softer? I am not able to get to this for a bit, but new recordings may be in order. I apologize for any confusion that I may have inadvertantly caused.

At this point, I can obviously only do a "with damper" vs "without damper" since the re-wire is a done deal.

I'll try to look at this and post more next week.
joelv's avatar
joelv OP
103 posts
 
New Samples!

I spent some time creating more controlled "Damped VS Undamped" recordings today. I'm using a different phono preamp so I went ahead and changed the songs up - I was tired of those first three, weren't you?

The songs are:

Led Zeppelin, "The Song Remains The Same" from a 90s German LP:
http://rapidshare.com/files/135720240/Song_Remains_Undamped.aif.htm
http://rapidshare.com/files/135720239/Song_Remains_Damped.aif.html

Holst, "Mercury" from The Planets,conducted by Adrian Boult, Angel 1967 LP.
http://rapidshare.com/files/135720237/MercuryUndamped.aif.html
http://rapidshare.com/files/135720236/MercuryDamped.aif.html

These were done within a few minutes of each other and were recorded identically l in every way except for the presence or non-presence of the KAB Fluid Damper.

This should provide a clearer picture of what the damper does. Good luck!
joelv's avatar
joelv OP
103 posts
 
It is worth noting that a good portion of what the KAB Damper does can't be demonstrated with a recording. Things like the elimination of woofer pumping and major reduction of acoustic feedback due to high volume levels are benefits that aren't shown here.

Still, the increased soundstage, better delineated musical events, and vastly improved tracking make the KAB fluid damper my favorite upgrade.
ajahu
306 posts
 
Hi, very nice from you providing the records. Yes, it is better the modded LP. By the way. At least for me.I did also a record on my rig. Wilson Benesch Full Circle, Mellorn phono and apogee rosetta ad/da. Please find enclosed. best
http://rapidshare.com/files/146085108/LedZeppelinIVAsong.wav
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