How good is the Technics SL-1400MKII?

Posted by Cougar (A) on August 29, 2014 at 07:38:35

I picked up a Technics SL 1400MKII about a year ago for a second system. The table came with a Audio Technica AT15Sa cartridge but the needle was missing. I just received the replacement stylus and now I'm ready to setup the table and start spinning records.

I have had the Technics SP-10MKII (reget so much for having to sell it), SL-1600MKII, SL-1200MKII, and now the SL-1400MKII.

I recent downloaded the Service manual for this SL-1400MKII table and I notice immediately that the power supply in this table was way better compared to the 1200MKII. It Reminds me of the SP-10 MKII power supply as to how good it is. I'm not saying it's the same power supply as in the SP-10 MKII but it's done really well. you can tell that some of what the SP-10MKII had tricked down into the SL-1400MKII from what I see in the SP-10MKII service manual. I have a service manual on the Technics SL-1200 MKII and the 1200 has less in the power supply than the 1400MKII.

Even the Platter is balanced underneth on the SL-1400MKII like the SP-10 is which the 1200MKII platter is not.

So could this SL-1400MKII be a sleeper table that with the right upgrades in the power supply and some mods/tweak can really make it something very special?

Aside from all the normal issues with the arm cueing and return, I would like to hear from all the SL-1400MKII owners of what tweaks they have done to elevate this nice table.

Here's what I would like to do just to start.

Remove Transformer from bottom of table and make it external to reduce vibration.
Upgrade caps in power supply and tweak it to be more quiet.
Remove RCA connectors and add nice RCA connectors.
Remove arm and replace with a better arm.
Add better isolation feet or cones to bottom of the table.

please let me know what has worked for you.

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Topic - How good is the Technics SL-1400MKII? - Cougar 07:38:35 08/29/14 (7)

The deck retailed for $440.00 in 1978. - Opus 33 1/3 08:48:03 08/29/14 (2)

Really? My SL-1600MKII that I bought back in........ - Cougar 09:37:15 08/29/14 (1)

Going by the Vintage Technics Turntable website in the UK. /nt\ - Opus 33 1/3 13:19:12 08/29/14 (0)

How aobut just listen to it for a time BEFORE tweeking away? - Dman 07:47:53 08/29/14 (3)

RE: How aobut just listen to it for a time BEFORE tweeking away? - Cougar 08:18:42 08/29/14 (2)

RE: How aobut just listen to it for a time BEFORE tweeking away? - Dman 11:09:15 08/29/14 (1)

RE: How aobut just listen to it for a time BEFORE tweeking away? - majick47 14:26:02 08/29/14 (0)

How good is the Technics SL-1400MKII?

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