The Technics SL-1200 GAE/G/GR general questions thread

congrats on a beautiful table!
you do realize that cartridge is like having a 1.6l toyota corolla engine in an Acura NSX?

 

Yes, I realize that.
I started off using that cart to get the table set up. I was looking at some AT MC carts, was thinking of starting off with the AT33PG/II

 

Why would my suggested test be pointless? How can differences b/w cables be easy to hear yet not discernible when subjected to my test?

My preference would be for high-end cable companies to provide high-res music clips on their websites. For example: Clip A features a system where their "premium" cables are used throughout, and Clip B features ordinary cables often included with components. This would allow people to form their judgements, using their own playback system. Alas, it will never happen.

People need to ask themselves. ..Why can the wire used inside of a component be thin and ordinary, yet the cable that joins two components must feature bluish anodized connectors, gold plugs, and braided cloth dressing? ..And no, it's not because of insulation from stray EMI, or whatever, as that is just as apt to exist inside of a component as outside.

The reason is, the wires inside a component aren't seen, and aren't user-upgradable. Whilst the wires that join two components ARE seen and ARE user-upgradable. Hence, a market for fancy (looking) cables. Just mho.

 

If you’re having EMI/RFI issues coming from other devices, those internal cables are shielded against it when the case of the device or tonearm is metal.
That same shielding is required for the cables outside of the device.
For phono cables, the capacitance also matters when using MM cartridges.
But overall, I agree, those OCC and cryotreated copper materials inside cables are a joke.

 

Not a very good analogy.

 

ok how about its like having an entry level cartridge on a high end turntable? ,

 

Well, it made sense to me, after googling what an Acura is
Except for that it was quite clear IMO.
Apparently, Honda is called Acura in North America.

 

The performance of that cart is very high, regardless of price. I've had and heard some more expensive cartridges, and didn't always prefer them. Matter of fact, some of them I actively disliked, because tracking or tracing performance was lacking, or they were not neutral enough and too colored in presentation.

 

acur

acura is the "fancy" division of honda in NA.

 

Acura is to Honda, what Technics is to Panasonic ..Here in North America, that is.

 

Likewise comparing Technics to Apple is not a good comparison. If the 1200 was made by Apple, you'd only be able to use Apple-branded cartridges on it!

 

Yes and some software locks to prevent repair and replacements of parts.
And prevent part suppliers to sell to third parties like customers.
And they would make a tonearm cable so that it breaks after moving the tonearm for 10.000 times, so a new one can be sold every few years.
Or release a firmware update to give an error 53 code when you’ve changed your tonearm and prevent it from starting

 

Ha! Sounds like something straight out of Louis Rossman's channel. Not an Apple fan if you haven't guessed.

 

Yes, and I as well. ..But I hate apple slightest less than the alternatives.

 

Ah nice, yes I watch that channel too from time to time.
But I also did basic repairs in the past on Apple devices to make an extra buck (most of the contracts over here are about 6 to 12 months, so people are unemployed for at least a few weeks every now and then, which need to be covered).
No SMT soldering though, since I’m too clumsy and don’t have the proper equipment for it.
The only reason I have an iPhone is because of the lack of better alternatives

 

Well now....

 

The cable debate and Apple bashing is really stretching the "general questions" topic.

I'm currently spinning records on my SL-1200GR, 3+ years since purchase, still playing as on day one, btw. Just a wonderful machine imo, and I haven't felt any need to upgrade to something else. I swapped the stock cables with Blue Jeans LC-1 (though the stock cables also have low capacitance, the Blue Jeans are lower), and stuck an Ortofon 2M Bronze PNP on the arm. I go back and forth between a Herbie's Way Excellent II mat and the stock mat, but not certain I can really tell a difference between the two. I use the stock power cable, plugged into a simple APC power strip, which did make a perceptible difference in noise compared to an old Belkin strip I had. I'm a happy camper.

 

Would you mind sending us a link for the APC power strip you use? Thanks!

 

This is the one I got, after someone on this forum recommended the brand. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B078HVGKMC

 

Congrats. What's your phono preamp?

 

it’s in his profile.

 

MOFI Ultraphono. Nice circuit designed by the late Tim de Paravicini.

 

How does the PNP perform?
I’ve considered getting that one, but thought that it might be a bit heavy for a 1200 arm.

 

KAB SL1200MkII owner here envious of your GAE!

I'm also using an AT-VM95ML and am very surprised at how good it is at the price, even though it was directly preceded by an AT33PTG/2. I really bought the 95 out of curiosity and because the entire cart is only $20 more than the ML stylus alone, which I want to try on a Clearaudio Virtuoso. Threw it on the table a few days ago (while praising the designer who included blessed threaded inserts) and...it's still there.

 

and expensive apple phono preamp, mats, power supply and interconnects!