Sound Quality for Technics SL 1200 or 1300?

[oicdn]

Semi-new to the vinyl thing. Atleast audiophile wise. I used to mess around with my friends and sample/mix some tracks, but nothing from an audio quality point of view. We were using Technic SL-1200

So how do these tables stack up against the Regas? I found most people are recommending belt drive tables? Do the direct drives create a resonant noise?

I have an opportunity to snag some up. The 1300 is $80 a fully working and ready to play. The 1200Mk2 is $99 also fully working and ready to play. Both are from a local flea market. I can't remember if the 1200 is a Mk2 or Mk5, but eitherway, that seems like a steal to me...well, you do only have one, so from a non-DJ standpoint atleast

 

[tourmaline]

Quote:

Originally Posted by oicdn /img/forum/go_quote.gif Semi-new to the vinyl thing. Atleast audiophile wise. I used to mess around with my friends and sample/mix some tracks, but nothing from an audio quality point of view. We were using Technic SL-1200 So how do these tables stack up against the Regas? I found most people are recommending belt drive tables? Do the direct drives create a resonant noise? I have an opportunity to snag some up. The 1300 is $80 a fully working and ready to play. The 1200Mk2 is $99 also fully working and ready to play. Both are from a local flea market. I can't remember if the 1200 is a Mk2 or Mk5, but eitherway, that seems like a steal to me...well, you do only have one, so from a non-DJ standpoint atleast

Technics sl-1200 is still recognized as one of ther best dj decks ever made. 99 dolars is a steal, since they go normally for 1200 dollars or more new.

 

[oicdn]

I know as far as DJing goes they're top....the 1300 I know is "vintage", but how are either for SQ as a standalone table?

 

[KrooLism]

I have a set of 1200 MKV's

They are excellent for sound quality. But it really depends on the cartridge you use. Visit www.ortofon.com

Vinyl preservation should be paramount though when listening to records. You can duplicate CD's but not vinyl.

 

[Garbz]

They have an excellent plinth and motor. The stock one I have heard was not too impressive against my Rega P3, but apparently if you stick the Rega RB300 tonearm on them they become a whole different beast.

 

[ssportclay]

Quote:

Originally Posted by oicdn /img/forum/go_quote.gif Semi-new to the vinyl thing. Atleast audiophile wise. I used to mess around with my friends and sample/mix some tracks, but nothing from an audio quality point of view. We were using Technic SL-1200 So how do these tables stack up against the Regas? I found most people are recommending belt drive tables? Do the direct drives create a resonant noise? I have an opportunity to snag some up. The 1300 is $80 a fully working and ready to play. The 1200Mk2 is $99 also fully working and ready to play. Both are from a local flea market. I can't remember if the 1200 is a Mk2 or Mk5, but eitherway, that seems like a steal to me...well, you do only have one, so from a non-DJ standpoint atleast

As a deck,the Technics 1200 is actually better than any model that Rega makes.What keeps this deck from sounding as good as some of the better belt drives is its tonearm and internal power supply.The limiting factor of my highly modified Technics 1200 is its somewhat modest Origin Live Silver tonearm.Were I to install an Origin Live top of the line tonearm,it would take on any turntable at any price.Having said that,its stock tonearm is not near as good as a Rega 250.

 

[oicdn]

So what is the reasoning behind wanting a belt drive over a direct??? Also, you say teh 1200 is a better deck than any Rega, even the 1200 Mk 2?

I know as a DJ, you sure as hell don't want a belt drive, but you're also not going for absolute high musical fidelity, you're just wanting to keep the music going.

How is the 1300 in comparison to the above? I know it's "vintage", but does it even stack up against either?

 

[ssportclay]

Quote:

Originally Posted by oicdn /img/forum/go_quote.gif So what is the reasoning behind wanting a belt drive over a direct??? Also, you say teh 1200 is a better deck than any Rega, even the 1200 Mk 2? I know as a DJ, you sure as hell don't want a belt drive, but you're also not going for absolute high musical fidelity, you're just wanting to keep the music going. How is the 1300 in comparison to the above? I know it's "vintage", but does it even stack up against either?

Belt drives are the quietest and cheapest to make and require the least technology to manufacture.Direct drives have superior speed stability and rim drives throw a begger sound.Which is better?What kind of sound are you looking for?BTW, my 1200 is an MK 2.The Origin Live Silver on it is better than any stock tonearm Rega makes.

 

[oicdn]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ssportclay /img/forum/go_quote.gif Belt drives are the quietest and cheapest to make and require the least technology to manufacture.Direct drives have superior speed stability and rim drives throw a begger sound.Which is better?What kind of sound are you looking for?BTW, my 1200 is an MK 2.The Origin Live Silver on it is better than any stock tonearm Rega makes.

I'll be listening to ALOT of 70's and 80's music...take your pic as to what genre. I'll also be buying a couple LP's of recent Hip Hop, as well as breakbeats. My friend is also in teh music industry:

http://www.radicalface.com
http://www.myspace.com/radicalface

His music is VERY detailed....and by very, I mean VERY VERY VERY detailed. More so than any other music I've ever heard, short of symphonies. Looking for a detailed player, but also have PUNCHY PUNCHY bass.

I have no idea what tonearm/cartridge my buddy has on his 1200mk5, but damn does it sound detailed and has punchy bass.

 

[infinitesymphony]

Ask your friend and get back to us. Also, pick up a bunch of those turntables and sell them to us!

 

[memepool]

Quote:

Originally Posted by oicdn /img/forum/go_quote.gif So what is the reasoning behind wanting a belt drive over a direct??? Also, you say teh 1200 is a better deck than any Rega, even the 1200 Mk 2? How is the 1300 in comparison to the above? I know it's "vintage", but does it even stack up against either?

The 1200 Mk 2 is the one to go for and for 99 USD it's a total bargain as mentioned.

The 1300 is not upto the same standard of build quality which is what makes the 1200 such good value even at 10x this price.

With the original tonearm though the 1200 won't sound as good as the Rega P2. The reason for this is the tonearm on the P2 is widely regarded as one of the best you can get at any price and a simply engineered belt drive coupled with a high quality tonearm is the cheapest way to produce a good sounding turntable. Although it's not necessarily the best way.

The solution then is to fit the Rega RB250 tonearm to the Technics SL1200. Origin Live in the UK make a replacement armboard for the Technics. The basic RB250 OEM arm from them is 124UKP, less tax if you are exporting to the USA. You might find it cheaper over there and if you are any good at wood or metal work you can fashion your own armboard for next to nothing but you need a Rega mounting template to get the geometry correct.

In the meantime if you can't afford this upgrade then the best thing to do is buy an audiophile cartridge for the Technics which is known to work on a higher mass tonearm. The Denon DL-103 is a classic although it's moving coil so you need a phono stage which can accomodate this. Most receivers and integrated amps pre 1990 will have this facility.

 

[lini]

Quote:

Originally Posted by memepool /img/forum/go_quote.gif (...) although it's moving coil so you need a phono stage which can accomodate this. Most receivers and integrated amps pre 1990 will have this facility.

Only the higher class ones, though. For regular phono mm inputs, Denon's MCHO models (DL-110 & DL-160) work nicely with the Technics arm.

Greetings from Munich!

Manfred / lini

 

[oicdn]

Hmm...looks like I'm gonna pick up that 1200. So, for headphone listening, before I buy a complete rack system, a GV5 will suffice correct?