Recent adventures with a near-fully tweaked Technics SL-1210 MKII
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| Posted on December 20, 2012 at 11:57:03 | ||
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Posts: 554
Location: Midwest Joined: January 2, 2008 |
I’ll start-off by saying that this is a follow-up to this thread that I started (see below at end) Now, my observations will in no way try to make any efforts toward comparing past ‘tables; specifically the Well Tempered Amadeus (there are just too many variables and differences to make any such comparison meaningful, especially given the DD vs. Belt debate). So it has been about a month; and I have since added the following: • TTWeights SuperPlatter1866gm Copper Mat • Ortofon Kontrapunkt b MC Cartridge • Applied Fidelity Gen 3 Sapphire Bearing • Isonoe Footers (arriving this coming Monday, so cannot comment) As you can see, there have been quite a few major tweaks/adjustments since my last observations about this ‘table. I can unreservedly state that each addition has brought about significant improvements to an already highly-modded, impressively performing turntable. That said, I don’t think any have made such a night/day improvement right off the bat as the Applied Fidelity Improved Bearing upgrade. Typically in all things audio, I have noticed that changes in cables and certain equipment or tweaks (amps and speakers notwithstanding) only bring about very minor ‘improvements’, and often quite subtle as to be not entirely worth it in the larger scheme of things. However, when I installed Jim Howard’s (tubesforever, as he is called) bearing yesterday, I was gobsmacked by what I was hearing when compared to the original bearing. I think it was EdAInWestOC who had reviewed his Gen 2 bearing not all too long ago, and my findings are pretty much in alignment with what he had reported. I listened to three albums I’m quite familiar with before installation of the Gen 3 Sapphire bearing, which, by the way, couldn’t have been easier to install (only about 10 minutes, at most). I then listened to the same three with the new bearing in place, and the differences were immediately noticeable (regardless of how unreliable aural memory serves us). Small nuances before just leaped out; bass had an almost ethereal quality, with real grip and drive; instruments of all types had such control, as though everything just came into focus, and the soundstage had astounding solidity. It was one of those upgrades that truly was a night and day difference. I never say that, because it simply never materializes quite like this. I have to say a huge kudos to Jim at Applied Fidelity. It isn’t cheap, but nothing in this hobby really is, is it? Also, very few items will bring about such a profound change for the better — even at twice the price. Another significant improvement was with regard to the cartridge change. It shouldn’t be too surprising that the Ortofon outclassed the ZU Denon 103. In my system, it was noticeable pretty much from the first side of the first album I listened to. Case in point: On the track The Fitted Shirt from Spoon’s Girls Can Tell LP, a Clavichord is used to great effect about mid-song and toward the end. It has a really fun series of notes being played with the rest of the song. With the ZU, it was nearly entirely hidden in the mix; almost muted, and hardly discernible. When I cued-up the same track with the Kontrapunkt b on the SME, this wonderful instrument was about a foot outside the right speaker, a foot forward, and was loud and clear. I knew right away that the ZU was limited in its performance. Now, it’s not the ZU’s fault, I am aware. My guess is that it isn’t as compliant as I first thought, holding its place with the SME 309. Something was holding it back, because having owned a Midas bodied 103R, I can vouch for its thrill factor and relative detail retrieval. So there’s that. On a side note, I would wholeheartedly recommend the Ortofon when combined with an SME 309. They seem to gel quite amazingly. It is a wonderful presentation no matter what kind of music is played. I think that’s really all I can offer here right now. I’m still trying to figure out what this ‘table is now doing — all things considered. On the whole, I am completely satisfied with the Technics and all of the tweaks I’ve done to it. They have each in some way contributed to turning what I can only guess is a very good turntable into a significantly high-performing instrument of music playback. Where my former Amadeus/Dynavector XX-2 combo just seemed to play music in an effortless fashion — nothing more, nothing less, this version of a souped-up Technics brings an exciting, fun, even thrilling portrayal of whatever’s in the grooves. With these latest additions, I find that I can close my eyes and focus on something other than what the ‘table or the tweaks are doing, which is, in most listening sessions recently, just enjoying the music. Normally, additions and tweaks distract me from what it is I set out to do. Not so in this case, though I readily admit that I had to do some concentrating here and there upon each new installment, but once in place, it was getting increasingly easier to just put on an album and listen without distraction. I would be very comfortable stating that it can easily compete performance-wise with decks out there in the $5K - $6K range, no doubt. I’ve owned a couple in that range, and cannot remember being this satisfied with the results straightaway (save the Amadeus, which was so inoffensive and downright effortless at just getting out of the way). I am a bit stunned by how much I am enjoying this turntable. I have a few friends that have ‘tables in this range and quite a bit over as well, and after listening to theirs independently (albeit, every one of these gents has completely different equipment and carts, which is why I cannot make apples-to-apples claims of superiority one way or the other, nor should I), I feel mine is every bit as good, and even excel in certain areas over theirs. However, it also lacks in some areas, too; specifically in terms of tonality and ‘texture’, but perhaps not to the extent that it would be all that noticeable or even bothersome to any great degree. I can now see why so many folks have enjoyed having the Technics, regardless of its form or iteration, as their main vinyl spinner. Its ease-of-use and engineering alone make it a great platform with which to begin a very rewarding adventure. PICS TO COME…
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| Thanks for the info. I had looked at the tubesforever website and could not find a price. nt , posted on December 20, 2012 at 21:13:22 | |
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Posts: 1425
Location: New Mexico Joined: July 31, 2003 |
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