Can a Technics SL-1200G challenge the state of the art?

[Tuckers]

I now have ordered my trifecta. Technics 1300g, Supatrak Blackbird, Hana Umami Red (with Wally Tools analyzed brass shim).

Looking to improve my stock 1300G with Nagaoka MP-700, until I have all the new gear in house.

Which feet to replace the stock feet? The Funk Firm Boing! or Isonodes?

Whats the best platter mat? I've heard the Origin Live Strata is one of the top contenders.

 

[struts]

I now have ordered my trifecta. Technics 1300g, Supatrak Blackbird, Hana Umami Red (with Wally Tools analyzed brass shim).

Looking to improve my stock 1300G with Nagaoka MP-700, until I have all the new gear in house.

Which feet to replace the stock feet? The Funk Firm Boing! or Isonodes?

Whats the best platter mat? I've heard the Origin Live Strata is one of the top contenders.

Cool! I didn't get round to experimenting with replacement feet on my 1200G yet, and the best match there might not work best with a 1300G anyway. With mats I did experiment with a couple (Funk Achromat, Stein Perfect Interface) but finally settled on the Oyaide BR-12, in conjunction with their STB-MSX weight.

 

[Tuckers]

Luckily I have a set of EVP footers that are just the right size and capacity. I will be trying these out soon.

 

[displayname]

I now have ordered my trifecta. Technics 1300g, Supatrak Blackbird, Hana Umami Red (with Wally Tools analyzed brass shim).

Looking to improve my stock 1300G with Nagaoka MP-700, until I have all the new gear in house.

Which feet to replace the stock feet? The Funk Firm Boing! or Isonodes?

Whats the best platter mat? I've heard the Origin Live Strata is one of the top contenders.

I would love to see pictures and read a review one you have it all set up!

 

[rau]

I really liked my upgraded 1200G , but even stock its a real value and competes with higher priced tables

 

[displayname]

I really liked my upgraded 1200G , but even stock its a real value and competes with higher priced tables

I like how your upgrades are so minimally changed from a visual perspective. Looks really great!

 

[dctom]

Just purchased an Audio Technica AT-ART9XA to put in my Supatrac Blackbird + 1200G as a replacement for my Shelter Harmony, which suddenly stopped working on one channel. Not damaged or mistreated, something of a mystery
Anyway searched for a sensibly priced replacement, taking into account Richard's demo I had heard using a fairly basic AT cart, I came across the 9XA for half price so took a punt.
It sounds superb, regardless of price, certainly reminiscent of my previous Lyra Atlas/4pt combo, excellent imaging, detail, fast, very good tracking, obviously a perfect match for the Supatrac.

 

[Tuckers]

Luckily I have a set of EVP footers that are just the right size and capacity. I will be trying these out soon.

I have tried some feet. The Isonode feet were a great upgrade from the stock feet. Everything just quieter, more dynamic, less outside interference. I tried the EVP footers under the Isonodes and there was an additional level of clarity and removal of grunge.

I pulled some super damping compliant material out of my treasure chest. This is no longer available, so is unobtanium at this point. This was used in the Space program and is the best absorber/isolator I have ever run across, and it also has never colored the sound of anything I have used it with. I added this to the Isonodes, and it absorbs absolutely all outside influence. I removed the Isonodes and went back to stock feet. It works just as well. This material absorbs in both horizontal and vertical directions. I've used a stethoscope on the plinth, and I cannot hear any knocks on my platform no matter how hard with this material, nothing penetrates And I cannot hear any influence on playback when playing a blank groove. I even broke the skin on my knuckles and bled on my platform during this test!

So I am not bothering with the Isonodes or the EVP feet, and just using this material. I wish I had a good stock of this, but I only have a limited amount. I have also put this under my tube phono to good sonic effect.

Here is a YouTube Video of the material in action.

 

[assessor43]

I know many people will not to hear this but many belt drive turntables sound mushy, and really homogenize the sound. You have to get a massive weight for much of this to be neutralized. There are very few medium range belt drive turntables that really have the drive. I remember hearing a Mission 774 I think, and that was a really great sounding belt drive table. For the money, the 1200G is tough to beat. It does not add anything to the music. Belt drives IMO do. Music is way softer. real music is not soft sounding at all. I actually think DD are closer to the real thing unless you spend maybe 100K. For 100k, it better sound good. lol. There are always trade offs in everything. nothing is perfect. Not even a hundred thousand dollar table. The cartridge is really important and can make a huge difference. I guess one could argue that the noise floor is better on a belt drive but maybe not. Setup, leveling the table and limiting vibration is key, especially with low output cartridges.

 

[dctom]

Recently obtained a Hana Umami Blue cartridge and it is now installed on the 1200g/Supatrac. Terrific combination, spacious, dynamic presentation with excellent separation.
First time for a while that analogue recorded vinyl has sounded noticeably better than the digital reproduction, in my system.

 

[RickS]

I know many people will not to hear this but many belt drive turntables sound mushy, and really homogenize the sound. You have to get a massive weight for much of this to be neutralized. There are very few medium range belt drive turntables that really have the drive. I remember hearing a Mission 774 I think, and that was a really great sounding belt drive table. For the money, the 1200G is tough to beat. It does not add anything to the music. Belt drives IMO do. Music is way softer. real music is not soft sounding at all. I actually think DD are closer to the real thing unless you spend maybe 100K. For 100k, it better sound good. lol. There are always trade offs in everything. nothing is perfect. Not even a hundred thousand dollar table. The cartridge is really important and can make a huge difference. I guess one could argue that the noise floor is better on a belt drive but maybe not. Setup, leveling the table and limiting vibration is key, especially with low output cartridges.

Describe the mushy and homogenized sound you are hearing and on which belt drive tables? Thank you.

 

[hongkongfoufou]

I have Technics SL-1210 MK II, SL-1000R, VPI Classic 3, Yamaha GT-5000 (new model with belt) : I never have mushy sound with belt turntables...

 

[Tangram]

Recently obtained a Hana Umami Blue cartridge and it is now installed on the 1200g/Supatrac. Terrific combination, spacious, dynamic presentation with excellent separation.
First time for a while that analogue recorded vinyl has sounded noticeably better than the digital reproduction, in my system.

Congratulations! That’s a very cool combination. Post a pic when you have a chance.

 

[Tangram]

I now have ordered my trifecta. Technics 1300g, Supatrak Blackbird, Hana Umami Red (with Wally Tools analyzed brass shim).

Looking to improve my stock 1300G with Nagaoka MP-700, until I have all the new gear in house.

Which feet to replace the stock feet? The Funk Firm Boing! or Isonodes?

Whats the best platter mat? I've heard the Origin Live Strata is one of the top contenders.

Have you got your new arm installed? If yes, how are things sounding?

 

[Tuckers]

Have you got your new arm installed? If yes, how are things sounding?

I have not received the arm. I do not know when it will arrive.

I have gotten a Korf ceramic headshell for the Technics arm, and I will shortly install the Hana Red on it.

I have done some tweaking to the Technics arm, and IMHO it improved it significantly. Focusing on reducing vibration from cartridge in arm and headshell and pivot assembly. Its a trial and error process, its easy to go too far and damp the sonics, rather than improve it. Less is more as they say.

 

[Tangram]

I have not received the arm. I do not know when it will arrive.

I have gotten a Korf ceramic headshell for the Technics arm, and I will shortly install the Hana Red on it.

I have done some tweaking to the Technics arm, and IMHO it improved it significantly. Focusing on reducing vibration from cartridge in arm and headshell and pivot assembly. Its a trial and error process, its easy to go too far and damp the sonics, rather than improve it. Less is more as they say.

Thanks for the update. Very interesting. I’ve thought about trying another headshell and cartridge - after all, that’s one benefit of the Technics tonearm, easy cartridge swapping. I will admit, the 1300g tonearm doesn’t look like much (and doesn’t track like the Kuzma) but to my ears, with the humble Hana SL, it punches far above its weight.

 

[Holmz]

I have not received the arm. I do not know when it will arrive.

I have gotten a Korf ceramic headshell for the Technics arm, and I will shortly install the Hana Red on it.

I have done some tweaking to the Technics arm, and IMHO it improved it significantly. Focusing on reducing vibration from cartridge in arm and headshell and pivot assembly. Its a trial and error process, its easy to go too far and damp the sonics, rather than improve it. Less is more as they say.

I put a Korf HS on a few years back, and it was like PFM in reducing sibilance.

 

[hongkongfoufou]

I agree.

I agree too and with the original arm...

 

[dctom]

Congratulations! That’s a very cool combination. Post a pic when you have a chance.

This is a great combination.

 

[rob]

That is where we started. When we designed our plinth, we made it look like the original but with a better finish. The plinth we made was machined out of solid 3/4" aluminum. We machined the platter too and of course had a proper platter pad and was designed for a modern arm.

Apparently you did not read my post thoroughly. The SL1000 and the 'r' version have the same problem as the SP10 series in that they lack a proper plinth. Since you specified an older machine, I suspect it was not operating properly- those older 'tables need the power supplies rebuilt to work properly. The Technics designs are not simple, in case this is what you are implying; at any rate I agree a lathe by itself and the skills to operate it do not qualify one to create the ultimate turntable. I'm sure though that you are not referring to Technics or me, so this bit seems a red herring.

Just so we are clear about how the plinth is supposed to work, a proper armboard will be the same thickness as the top plate. It should be machined as tightly as possible such that its a bit of a force fit into the mounting arena.

@Atmasphere
Hi Ralph, are you saying that the Technics SL-1000R lacks a proper plinth compared with the 1200G?
I am confused as the 1000r appears to have a Technics purpose built plinth.
As in this one?