Bought a New Turntable That I Love!! (RoyLCraft SP-1600MK2)*

I've always liked the Technics SL-1600MK2 and have owned a couple in the past but always had some nagging problems that kind of turned me off to the 1600MK2. The problems were the springs losing their "springiness," and the power button getting stuck to the on position.

While browsing fleabay, I found a modified by RoyLCraft. I bit the bullet and I'm so thankful I did. This is one stunning turntable. And the problems I have had with the 1600MK2 have been solved!

These are the modifications per Roy:

A true Audiophile Sound Quality Automatic turntable!!!
Designed for best sound with low coloration and increased dynamics.
Built like a tank...
This custom made design by RoyLCraft is called the SP-1600MK2
Time to hear what wood can do to a Technics SL-1600MK2
Finished in baked enamel of Royal Turquoise and Black Metallic sparkle

Real solid Oak siding
The SP is for Sound Performance!
Fast accurate Reproduction!
Solid Stereo Imaging!
Explosive deep bass and stunning dynamics! BAM!
This new design offers superior sound quality over the Stock design. And does away with the troublesome Floating Spring design of the original.
The SL-1600MK2 was designed at the same time the world famous 1200MK2 was created and shares many of it's crucial parts like the motor&bearing/electronics/tonearm.
State of the art design then and now, this design has sound quality and features that nothing can compare today.
The tonearm features Automatic functions like start-stop-repeat.
Features a separate motor for all tonearm functions with a brand new belt installed. Power Cue Button
Full time Quartz drive with pitch gives perfect 99.998% speed Accuracy
High Torque ultra low speed DC brushless motor
Tonearm features helicoid Height Adjustment and ultra low .07 grams of friction for movement in any direction with it's true 4 point gimball suspension
Loaded with RoyLCrafts unique Sound Performance features like :
Layered Wood Construction with internal sand chamber for sound damping and added mass for greatly improved Sound Performance.
Gold RCA jacks for audio Output with internal grounding, NO ground cord needed!
Wood-On Thrust Plate for best Musical quality and added resistance to getting bent.
Wood-In sub-frame for motor/platter/tonearm Double Isolated cork-rubber-felt is a two stage design
4 point rubber Isolation system for Aluminum top 1600MK2 deck to lower wood base
Power Supply Separated from Aluminum top deck and mounted with a 2 point felt and cork isolation system. This makes the power supply SILENT.
Custom made 6061 Aluminum Adjustable feet feature Rubber/Sorbothane
Flush Toggle Power Switch for improvement over old sticking switch design
White LED pop up light
Comes with a hinged dust cover, with scuffs and marks from age, but no cracks.
The Sound Performance benefits from All these features from RoyLCraft makes the SP-1600MK2 design
one of the "The Best Sounding 1600's in the World"*
Over 40 pounds in weight!
Measures: 20.5" wide, 17.5" deep and 6" tall (top of wood base) and 7.75" to top of aluminum deck


Here are some pics:

 

Nice! Pretty interesting item with the mods and all.

Enjoy it!

 

Thank you. Can't stop listening. Amazed by this table. Thank you RoyLCraft!

 

Beautiful!

 

I just noticed this company is taking made to order SL-1600MK2's on eBay. If you have an SL-1600MK2, you may want to consider this.

 

That is a beauty!

 

why does this post read like an ad?

 

Always glad to hear of a happy audiophile! All turntables fascinate me. I have repaired enough of them!
Thing is, when care over set up is exercised vinyl is awesome. The SL 1600 is direct drive ?
They can produce bass with real wallop, I must check this out! Enjoy

 

I'm sorry you feel that way. I'm just very pleased with my purchase and the work the company did. If the mods think I'm affiliated with RoyLCraft or receiving any kickbacks from them (which I'm not), they're free to remove this post.

I also wrote a glowing reports on my purchase of the Pioneer PLX-1000. I guess you think those are ads too. Paranoid much?

 

Very cool. I bet it sounds great.

It's not an ad. It's just the details from the eBay item he purchased.

 

Rock on mate !

 

Yup, it's DD with quartz lock.

 

Exactly. Thank you. I was afraid this post would sound more like bragging than an ad. I'm just thrilled and thought SL-1600MK2 owners might find it interesting.

 

I am brother! Just ripped my first LP with this TT and I'm knocked out. I don't think anyone can pry me away from my listening room for a few days.

 

Very cool. Congrats man.
Looks beautiful spinning.

What's your cart and phono stage?
I'm also curious about the substitution of wood for springs.
Do I have that correct?

Looking forward to more of your listening impressions and comparisons with other tables.

Btw, you can buff out those scuffs and scratches on the dust cover with a polish.

 

Actually wood is just used with the thrust plate and cabinet. The sand-filled turquoise device takes the place of the springs. Do I have a photo posted of the dust cover??

 

Don't see a pic, but you mentioned scuffs.

 

I've repaired two 1700mk2, the stuck power button is nothing but dried grease. You do have to pop the lid to relube it properly, though.

 

Yes, I polished the dust cover tonight and it looks much better.

 

Keep us posted on your experience.

 

Wow, great buy on a beauty!
Congrats

 

I always appreciate seeing a clever re-imagining of a classic model.

 

Me too. I wish I had the ability to think, and even more importantly, be able to do this kind of work. I can clean up old SL-1600MK2, SL-7's and SL-10's. I can replace their drive belts, deox them and polish up their plinths and dust covers. But to re-imagine the SL-1600MK2 and reconstruct it is amazing. The sound quality between this new modified model and my old stock SL-1600MK2 is quite substantial.

 

I suppose some knowledge of mechanical engineering and physics is good to have!