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Technics SL-1200 MK5 setup

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Darren C

(A)

Hey folks,
I'm a newbie at this wonderful vinyl stuff. I currently have a POS TT which was given to me and am looking to purchase my first TT setup for home use.
After some research and much confusion, I think this is what I plan on purchasing. I am trying to keep my costs below $1,000 total:
Technics SL-1200 MK5
Origin Live DJ Armboard
Rega RB-300 arm
KAB threaded record clamp
Grado Gold cartridge
Any thoughts and/or suggestions would be hugely appreciated.
Thanks,
Darren

Follow Ups:

Re: Technics SL-1200 MK5 setup - krenzler 16:58:38 06/25/06 (2)
I know that Kevin over at KABUSA is working on a rewire for the technics tonearm to bring it to another league. The bearings on this arm are known to be very good. Before splashing out on the Rega I suggest that you contact Kevin to hear if the rewiring option is nearing completion.
If you keep the Technics arm you must buy the silicone damping trough of course. :-)
Grado make great cartridges but be aware that they supposedly can be a bit tricky and temperamental (less forgiving of less than ideal match-ups). Others may chime in on this one.
It might also be a good idea to consult Kevin about the most bang for the buck upgrade path for the 1200/1210. You're looking at the threated record clamp for 150$ but there's also the Isonoe isolator feet at 200$ and the beefed up outboard power supply at 250$. The latter needs some soldering skills, so unless you know how to do this, it might be worth considering it as part of the TT purchase. I don't know which of these give the biggest improvement but the fluid damper seems to be a no-brainer.
Other cartridges that might be worth considering:
Denon DL-103 (if you have a capable MC phono section).
Audio Technica AT-440MLa and AT-120E (clear & punchy).
Shure M97xE (smooth).
Denon DL-110 and DL-160 (big soundstage).
KAB/Ortofon Concorde Pro S40 (instant alignment + FG stylus).
Stanton Groovemaster II AE (instant alignment and recessed treble?).
All of the above is not based on personal experience. Just so you know. :-)
- KABUSA (Open in New Window)
- What Kevin said about the 1200 tonearm rewire - Darren C 08:31:11 06/26/06 (1)
  I took your suggestion and contact Kevin @ KAB. He said the rewire will be done in a month or so. I also asked him about the Rega tonearm vs. the damper upgrade. He didn't try to sell me on the damper, but he did explain the differences between the 1200's tonearm vs. a rega tonearm.
  I think I will do the damper upgrade, get the clamp, some feet, a better mat, as well as that rewire when it comes available, and put, as you suggested, a Denon MC cartridge on it. I think this will yield the best TT for my buck. Then I will buy a DIY kit as Henry suggested for a preamp.
  Darren
  - Good luck with your new TT and enjoy. (NT) - krenzler 15:44:53 06/26/06 (0)
    nt
Re: Technics SL-1200 MK5 setup - JefferyS 16:55:47 06/25/06 (7)
A couple of comments...
Try leaving the SL-1200MK5 with the stock arm for the first while. If it meets your expectations of what a vinyl rig should sound like, then leave it. If it doesn't, try the Rega arm. I'm happy enough with the stock SL-1200MK2 arm.
As well, some have said here that Grado carts don't "go well" with Technics 1200s due to hum issues. You may want to search of the archives for any reference to this.
J
- I agree with Jeffery. - HenryH 17:20:24 06/25/06 (6)
  Get the SL-1200 and the KAB arm damper. If your phono stage can handle a low output moving coil cartridge, try the Denon DL-103. If not go for the AT-120E/T. Both sound great on my SL-1200MK2 with stock arm and KAB damper. Total cost of basically the same SL-1210 from Musician's Friend and KAB damper and DL-103 is about $700. With the AT-120E/T about $90 less.
  
  Henry
  A preposition is a terrible thing to end a sentence with - Sir Winston Churchill
  - Phono Stage - which leads me to my next quesion - Darren C 18:09:57 06/25/06 (3)
    Thanks for the great suggestions. I read many posts regarding the KAB tonearm damper vs a totally new arm (hence the Rega option). If the damper modification vastly enhances the performance of the stock tonearm, that should be enough for me.
    Regarding my phono stage - at the moment the only amp I have which will be hooked up to the TT is a Denon AVR 3805. I am not sure whether this will suffice or whether I should purchase a preamp. The stats with regards to phono on the avr are as follows:
    input sensitivity: 2.5 mV
    RIAA deviation: ~ 1 dB (20 Hz to 20 kHz)
    signal-to-noise ratio: 74 dB (A weighting, with 5 mV input)
    distortion factor: 0.03% (1kHz, 3 V)
    How can I tell whether the avr can handle that MC cartridge? If you guys strongly suggest I get a preamp, what would you suggest? I am looking to have a decent setup for my newly found addiction, and thought I should start with the TT, and go from there.
    Darren
    - Read this... - Scottrt 23:06:47 06/25/06 (0)
      A fellow inmate made the same inquiry just recently. I also have the forerunner of your 3805...a 2000 model year 3300, and a Bugle was a none-to-subtle improvement.
      Read this thread.......
      http://db.audioasylum.com/cgi/m.mpl?forum=vinyl&n=515247&highlight=denon+3805+phono&r=&session=http://db.audioasylum.com/cgi/m.mpl?forum=vinyl&n=515247&highlight=denon+3805+phono&r=&session= (Open in New Window)
    - Re: Phono Stage - which leads me to my next quesion - HenryH 18:51:27 06/25/06 (1)
      I'd budget for a decent phono preamp. Your Denon receiver likely has a mediocre one built in. There are several in the $300 range that would do nicely. If you can do a kit, the Bottlehead Seduction is worth consideration. Ditto the Hagerman Bugle. If not, the Channel Island VPP-1 or Cambridge Audio 640P would be good, plus add the ability to use low output moving coil cartridges in addition to HO MCs and MMs.
      A good phono stage is an absolute must if you want to hear what vinyl can offer.
      
      Henry
      A preposition is a terrible thing to end a sentence with - Sir Winston Churchill
      - Re: Phono Stage - which leads me to my next quesion - Darren C 10:51:27 06/26/06 (0)
        
        In Reply to: Re: Phono Stage - which leads me to my next quesion posted by HenryH on June 25, 2006 at 18:51:27:
        
        Great advice Henry - thanks!
        Would I need a step-up with the Bottlehead Seduction if I were to get a MC cartridge? Is that what their Foreplay III is for? What do you know of their Paramount SE 300B amp?
        Sorry for all the questions - just trying to understand how all this fits together ...
        Darren
  - Henry, how significantly has the KAB damper improved it? [nt] - Howard K 17:33:30 06/25/06 (1)
    - Re: Henry, how significantly has the KAB damper improved it? [nt] - HenryH 18:08:19 06/25/06 (0)
      I wish I could say, but I've never heard my SL-1200MK2 without the damper. I ordered the table from KAB with the damper installed. olddude55 has heard it both ways on his SL-1210 and feels the damper is well worth the cost.
      I just feel that with all the esoteric stuff marketed for analog, that something as technically sound as arm damping makes a lot of sense and worth consideration.
      
      Henry
      A preposition is a terrible thing to end a sentence with - Sir Winston Churchill

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