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Technics 1200 MKII Quartz Speed Strobe Issue Video

Ok, this is my first post, so be nice. I am a hardcore record collector and I am slowly trying to step up in the world of sound. I don't plan to go all the way into full on "audiophillia" and funds are limited. I am just working at creating a nice solid good sounding system.

I have a Marantz 2552b and some vintage Technics SB-6060 speakers. Nothing "special" but I'm happy with them for now.

Anyhow, I recently got a pretty good deal on a used Technics 1200 MK2 Quartz and brought it in to a local hi fi repair shop. Essentially what I got back is kind of a "Frakenstein" between parts of my original TT and parts of one the shop had that had many parts in better shape. Now, I am OK with this because It looks much better and didn't have a dust cover before. Now it looks good and has a dust cover and a much nicer face plate etc...

Now, I don't know if my mind is playing tricks on me but it appears to me that the strobe dots slightly wobble back and forth slowly. I am including a link to a video that shows this. I don't seem to notice it on playback but every once in a while I think I hear fluctuations and quite frankly I'm just paranoid now that something is wrong. Below is a link to a video of the strobe. It is locked into the 0 position. This TT does have quartz lock. I am sorry for the bad video but I'd like to have other eyes inspect this and let me know what they think. I am going to bring it back to the shop and ask for a proper zero point calibration.

I am also considering changing the tone arm. Does anyone besides KAB do this and what kind of price range am I looking at? I'm already like $300 into this TT! My budget is limited but I'd like this TT to be "pimped out" to some degree...

Thanks

DivShare File - Strobe1200.avi
greenfuzz
edtrout
11 posts
 
Mine does that too. I bought it new from KAB a couple of months ago. My guess is that it's just a defect in the way the dots were placed on the platter or something like that, and that the table runs at a constant speed. I can't hear any pitch wobbling, but I keep meaning to email KAB about it just to make sure.

When you think you're hearing pitch wobbling, are you sure it isn't because the spindle hole of the record is off-center?
greenfuzz OP
11 posts
 
That's the problem, I realize not every record is perfect etc. And it is only occasionally that I hear something funky. but now it's like I'm listening and waiting for it. I have always been told that these 1200's are "dead on" and when I look online at other strobe videos I see that mine isn't as steady and and I'd like to know why. I'm gonna bring the TT back to the place that did the work on it. My tonearm is pulling right way to much and I'm pretty certain it has messed up bearings, regardless it's old and I don't mind getting a new tonearm. the question is do i spend the extra scratch for this Cardas re-wire or not??

When I got the TT back the tonearm was stiff to the right so I probably foolishly slightly loosened the tiny screw on top and managed to get it to track better but my gut says that there is something funky with the tonearm too... great!

I don't mind putting some more into this table as they seem to be "worth it".

I suppose it could be a platter defect but I'd like to know for sure that the speed is as close as it's supposed to be.
greenfuzz OP
11 posts
 
While I am on the subject maybe I should just send it to KAB? Anyone have experience sending their 1200 in and getting it modded etc?? General price tag for such an adventure?? How much do they charge to install the mods?
johnnyb53
3,510 posts
 
Have you tried oiling the spindle?

The oil doesn't last forever in there and can probably drain out during shipping. I bought a brand new SL210M5G; soon after I bought a little tube of the Technics spindle oil from KAB and used up half the tube putting oil into the bearing reservoir. I noticed the sound became smoother and subtle speed variations disappeared. Technics recommends re-oiling the spindle for every 1000 hours of play anyway. For $4.95 I'd try that first.
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