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I've got a Technics SL 1200 mkIII, AT OC9II, into a Pro-ject Phono Box SE. Where is the next $500 best spent? I am committed to keeping the SL 1200 because 1) it is so easily adjustable w/ swappable headshells and VTA on-the-fly [I can experiment easily]; and 2) I think it looks cool : ) Its sound in my system certainly doesn't suck but would like to investigate what improvements can be made for $500.I'm planning on getting the KAB Tonearm Fluid-Damper soon. Is my next best upgrade a better cartridge or a better phono-pre. I am currently running a Jolida 302b tubed integrated w/ Triangle Titus ES monitors. Any and all input is greatly appreciated. Thanks.
Follow Ups:
Consider a Hagtech Cornet2 phono stage.Easy to build DIY half-kit. Wonderful sonics in stock form yet fun to tweak and modify.
-S
Hi,I would talk to Kevin at KAB about his threaded spindle and clamp retrofit. I don't know for sure but think it would really improve the sound of the '1200. Clamping really helped on my DENON DD. The arm damper theoretically should only help with arm/cartridge mismatches which I do not think you have. Just a thought.
I confirmed early on that a clamp helped me enjoy my SL-1210 more. I now have the KAB threaded spindle clamp and believe it is offering what I was seeking. It seems a bit expensive for a clamp but it works very well and is quite sturdy and to me seems a very clean and well engineered solution.
I know it isn't on your list but my vote would be for the KAB power supply.
I thought you had a great description of what the power supply can do in a previous post so I'm quoting you here."The problem is a fundamental design issue with the 1200's that can't be fixed with a bandaid like an arm damper. You see there are speed variations evident, it's just that they are very tiny and fast. It shows up as a sort of fuzziness or haziness on top of the music that you don't really notice until it's gone. Audibly the haziness kind of reminds me of the difference in sound between a higher quality DAC and a lower quality one. For me the point that the speed regulation may not be all that on these SL-1200's was also hit home by a visual cue. I happen to be a designer of electronic hardware for my day job and am specifically very interested in and aware of the various motion control systems in my daily life (why is this relevant?). Because I am a control system geek I noticed almost immediately how fuzzy and hazy looking the little speed indicator dots (that the speed strobe reflects off of)on the side of the platter looked even though they were staying in the same location. After adding the regulated supply these little dots are obviously less hazy looking and more clearly defined outlines. This evidence in parallel with my perceptiopn of clearer sound shows me that independent of arm and cartridge the basic platform is flawed and easily fixable for low cash outlay.
After hearing for myself what the power supply mod fixes I can't for the life of me figure out why the KAB site seems to focus on what I consider more of a bandaid in the damper mod to tame compliance/weight mismatches between tha arm and needle as opposed to an actual engineeered enhancement in the form of a more robust power supply which allows the control to operate more perfectly."
It was all I could do to try and put it to words, the real proof is in the listening. Some of the best money I've spent on my system IMO.
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