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

In my case it’s mostly vocal sibilance that I hear, but it really stands out when I know it’s not part of the recording. The Moonstone is a $300 cartridge so I would hope it can get a little better than this, but maybe I am just spoiled by the VM540ML.

It certainly will, thanks!

 

Yeah it honestly didn't leave the best taste in my mouth. Frankly with a few exceptions almost all record shops in my area have horrible systems. Typically some old midrange plastic plinth 70s DD beaten to hell rocking a M44-7 that's been worn out since the Obama era, ancient receiver with loudness engaged plugged into the largest cheapest speakers they could find. Pretty much useless to ask any of these guys to throw a record on the store system for a quick play grade. Enthusiasm for hi-fi is low among the average record collector.

 

I tried a few different records where I’ve noticed some IGD - Queen, Steely Dan, Cat Stevens (actually nothing I typically listen to but enjoy on occasion) and generally, if it’s noticeable, it starts anywhere from 60-65mm or even 70mm if it’s a pretty hot track. There are plenty of cases where I don’t really notice any, as well.

 

I found the EAR MC3 that just works and sounds better than all the other SUT and Pre Preamps I tried. I have recently changed to ART9XI from the "schizophrenic" ART9XA and now with 0.5mv will work straight into my Conrad Johnson EV1 at 100ohms setting - but with my MC3 in circuit the sound is way better *sonething that doesn't make sense to me, as inserting an extra component should reduce SQ.

 

Curious for those who are running a AT-OC9XML cartridge with the SL-1200, are you using the Aux Weight? I currently have this cart mounted to a H11H headshell, and the combined weight is about 20.2 grams. Per the manual, this weight comes in at the tail end of the range without the Aux Weight, and almost in the middle of the range with the Aux Weight included.

Visually, with the weight attached to the tone arm, and the Cartridge tracking at 2.0 grams, it's so much closer to the tone arm than without the weight attached. This is a good thing, right?

 

Not really good or bad, just a little different tonearm effective mass (moment of inertia), may be higher or lower, depends on how far back the counterweight was without the aux weight installed. In some situations, increasing the effective mass is beneficial to sound, in other cases not. Listen both ways and decide which you think is best.

 

I deliberately used the Technics headshell with the OC9 to keep the mass down for resonance purposes. Thus, no auxiliary weight is used.

 

Yea, the XML is pretty high compliance, even with the lightweight stock headshell resonance will probably be below 7Hz, but a lot of people around here are using the heavier shells so doesn't seem to be causing any major problems ... The Technics SL-1200 GAE/G/GR general questions thread

 

The dynamic duo, a 1200GR/1210GR setup

 

What’s the reason for two in the same room?

 

Well if I separated them it wouldn't be a dynamic duo

 

Because that's where the stereo is?

 

non snarky question: do you have speakers? Or just headphones?
edit: NVMD I just looked in your profile.

 

Maybe try Baerwald for DIN groove specs. This may improve things between ~61 and ~84 mm – if you can get it aligned accurately enough.

 

I'll give that a shot - thanks!

 

I wasn't sure if one was for stereo and the other mono or if one was a needledrop station and the other was for listening or what have you. It was a genuine/sincere question, didn't intend for it to come off as accusatory or anything.

 

No problem, I have two different phono cartridges (ART9XA/VDH Mc One special) that are dialed in just right and I really like the sound characteristics of both. Also two phono stages (310LP/VTPH2A) that also have their own flavors one being solid state and the other utilizing tubes.

It's fun to play records on either system and this duo setup makes all of this more accessible.

 

They all go to the same receiver/speakers? Or are those also unique to the setup?

 

Yes they're both wired to my headphone amp(BHA 1).

 

I’d want two just for faster changeover between records. I don’t want it enough to pay for a second one, though.

 

My 2nd table on my main system is a Technics semi auto. Didn't see the need for two manual tables.

 

Two turntables sounds as onerous as two wifes.

 

Happy to read and look, then I can't be ashamed of having two 1200 decks in my room.

 

I gave this a try (generating an arc protractor from your site, which worked great!), and got it as precisely dialed in as I’m able to, which meant the cartridge was rotated clockwise a bit in relation to the headshell. Unfortunately I couldn’t detect much difference from the standard Technics alignment - the same tracks had IGD/sibilance with the Sumiko Moonstone.

To be fair, some of them may be considered torture tracks. I used the the end of Cat Stevens’ Father and Son and Tea for the Tillerman, which were quite sibilant, for example. Also some Queen. Maybe I’m expecting too much, it’s just that the AT tracks them so cleanly in comparison.

In any case, thanks for the suggestion, it was worth a shot.

 

Hi folks, a friend owns a 1210 GR, and today we had to remove the platter. I was shocked to see an absolutely bad cut out inlay under the platter. It is hard to describe, so I post this picture:
192373-AD-E952-440-F-A0-A5-B327-CA77-FE11 hosted at ImgBB

Is this normal? My mk2 don‘t have this.