Technics SL-1200G Grand Class

[Amber Audio]

I’ve had my 1200G for a couple of years now. Great turntable and end game for a “reasonable” price. Had to fiddle around with mine though so i replaced the arm with an SME IV, which takes the deck to another level and imho enables the use of a better cartridge than the fitted arm can take. Problem is that now I’m yearning for the Michel Orbe that’s currently in the classifieds .

Where do you think the cart tops out using the supplied arm, I was thinking of upgrading my Cadenza.

Might change the arm/psu or might just swap the deck for new one. I also have a Gyro but never use it cos the G is as good if not better sound wise and way easier to use.

 

[Alex S]

My view is that any cart can go on the Technics arm (the old, presumably worse one) once it's fluid damped (and to a lesser extent, rewired). I have a DV xx2 on mine, no problem.

 

[Amber Audio]

My view is that any cart can go on the Technics arm (the old, presumably worse one) once it's fluid damped (and to a lesser extent, rewired). I have a DV xx2 on mine, no problem.

I was thinking more Windfield level and up, I have seen an Xpression fitted to a G.

 

[AudioAl]

That is almost exactly what The Wife said.
She also said that I would regret it if I didn’t take the opportunity to get the shiniest apple that was on offer…

That's some wife you have , Look after her , Not many like that.

 

[Nic Robinson]

Assuming the looks and presentation suit, the G, for many, is the "for ever" deck. I'm thinking that if I can, I'll sell my GR and 401 and find a nice Japanese G for me. Living with the GR for a few years has more than demonstrated to me that there is nothing an idler or belt can do to make me consider going back...

 

[early]

Oooo great another "G" thread , we haven't had one for a while .

I own one and I think it's great . Here;s my thoughts on a couple of points raised in this thread .

Dont bother with isolation platforms , stuff under feet ect . It has no effect , the "G" is built in a way that makes these things superfluous .

Turntable mats , stick with the supplied one unles you have VTA issues then get the older thicker Technics mat .

Re the arm , I've been on a bit of a yoyo journey with this . I changed the arm on mine and though it was better , what I really got was a better match to the cart I was using . The standard arm is good but I think it's quite a bit lighter than the aluminium arm so careful cart matching or heavier headshells need to be brought into the equation . I've just put the standard arm back in mine and got some heavier headshells to have a play with .

 

[Jim Audiomisc]

FWIW I'm still using my ancient SL-1500 with a V15. Still regard this as an excellent combination. Main problems due to age are that the styli are old - but have survived thus far. And the speed control resistor has developed a spot at the 33rpm setting so sometimes causes the speed to change a bit and needs a wiggle.

Minor problem is that the deck 'bongs' if you drop the lid once the record is playing. Fixed that using a small pad of foam as a damperon the plinth where the edge of the cover comes down. Then lower the lid gently.

One advantage of high compliance + low tip mass carts is that much less tip vibration energy gets to the arm. So arm/deck resonances from that are less of a problem than when using lower compliance, etc, carts. Shame no-one makes the old V15s now. May seem a crazy match, but in my experience, superb. Shure abandoning the V15 was a disaster IMHO.

Using it at the moment to make digital transfers I can then de-click, etc.

 

[mikechadwick]

Where do you think the cart tops out using the supplied arm, I was thinking of upgrading my Cadenza.

Might change the arm/psu or might just swap the deck for new one. I also have a Gyro but never use it cos the G is as good if not better sound wise and way easier to use.

Hard to say - I had a Lyra Delos mounted which was OK but could never get the VTA right even with a thicker rubber mat - the cartridge was too shallow. Currently running a Hana Umami in the IV. I agree that the Gyro is no match for the 1200G but an Orbe might be at least as good?

 

[mikechadwick]

Oooo great another "G" thread , we haven't had one for a while .

I own one and I think it's great . Here;s my thoughts on a couple of points raised in this thread .

Dont bother with isolation platforms , stuff under feet ect . It has no effect , the "G" is built in a way that makes these things superfluous .

Turntable mats , stick with the supplied one unles you have VTA issues then get the older thicker Technics mat .

Re the arm , I've been on a bit of a yoyo journey with this . I changed the arm on mine and though it was better , what I really got was a better match to the cart I was using . The standard arm is good but I think it's quite a bit lighter than the aluminium arm so careful cart matching or heavier headshells need to be brought into the equation . I've just put the standard arm back in mine and got some heavier headshells to have a play with .

What headshell / cartridge combinations have you tried?

 

[Jason P]

You’re making me want a G now….

I have an original mint 1200 with ATG33mk2 and Arkless GTI turbo stage and it’s great.. what benefits will the ‘really’ G bring? Please be gentle.

When I had my modded 1200 (KAB damper, Audio Origami rewired and foam filled arm, Sound Org mat, Isonoe feet) it was a great deck but lacked some of the 'soul' that other decks I've had (usually belt drive and suspended) - I can't say it any clearer than that, it felt slightly sterile and grey. Accurate to a T but it didn't draw me in as much as my LP12 did (even with all it's faults!). Somehow I think the new motors Technics are using have gone a fair way to negating that sterility - I think my 1500C draws me in every bit as much as the best of those earlier decks, and the GR and G even more so. Get the arm/cart synergy right and they are very, very good...

 

[Amber Audio]

Hard to say - I had a Lyra Delos mounted which was OK but could never get the VTA right even with a thicker rubber mat - the cartridge was too shallow. Currently running a Hana Umami in the IV. I agree that the Gyro is no match for the 1200G but an Orbe might be at least as good?

The Orbe will give it a good run, I did consider the Orbe for it's better bottom end compared to the Gyro, felt the HR psu gave me a good bit of the better bass and pitch stability and more vfm. Have to admit the platter weights spinning round are a big attraction but I read many prefer the Orbe platter/look.

Mulling over a few changes at present - SME arm (again), offboard PSU, swap Gyro/GR/Thorens/G for one uber deck, nice to have the options.

 

[Colin L]

The Orbe will give it a good run, I did consider the Orbe for it's better bottom end compared to the Gyro, felt the HR psu gave me a good bit of the better bass and pitch stability and more vfm. Have to admit the platter weights spinning round are a big attraction but I read many prefer the Orbe platter/look.

Mulling over a few changes at present - SME arm (again), offboard PSU, swap Gyro/GR/Thorens/G for one uber deck, nice to have the options.

Uber-deck with 3 arms..you know it makes sense

 

[Amber Audio]

Uber-deck with 3 arms..you know it makes sense

Aye, still tempted but have to shift some kit and get the new speakers sorted out.

 

[early]

What headshell / cartridge combinations have you tried?

I have tried the standard arm with , VM750SH , Benz Ace SH , Benz Wood SL and DL103 . Discounting the Denon which was never going to work on the Technics arm , they all sounded better when I mounted a heavier arm ( Jelco TK950S ) on the "G" .

Tried the Jelco headshell (12g) with the Technics arm but it wasnt great . I've got some assorted Audio Tecnica headshells and when I get some time I'm going to have a play .

It's my gut feeling that the Technics arm with its headshell is only around 9g and the carts I have here aren't a great match .

 

[Big Tabs]

That's some wife you have , Look after her , Not many like that.

I am very aware that The Wife is a rarity.
Fortunately, Wife feels the same way about me.

 

[Big Tabs]

Oooo great another "G" thread , we haven't had one for a while .

My apologies, I couldn’t find a specific thread for the G.

The standard arm is good but I think it's quite a bit lighter than the aluminium arm so careful cart matching or heavier headshells need to be brought into the equation

I don’t have the skill or knowledge to change tonearms.

I have used the supplied headshell that came with the turntable with the 2m Black cartridge.

 

[Amber Audio]

I’ve read posts that do say the Eff Mass is about 9g, this number seems to have come from a HFN review/test bench Paul Miller 2011, but is mentioned in a couple of recent online 1200G reviews. I’ve generally worked to 12g for my GR and G using the standard weight and stock headshell (7.6g). Technics don’t seem willing to give a set figure and just offer a range of masses depending on counterweight used).

Using different mat thickness, headshells and counterweights I’ve managed to get any cart I have working/sounding decent, end of day if it sounds fine but the numbers say otherwise I ignore the numbers.

A guy on Hoffman did a calc for his GR and came to 12.5g.

This white paper has all the info
http://www.cartchunk.org/audiotopics/ToneArmMechanics.pdf

https://forums.stevehoffman.tv/thre...ive-mass-for-technics-sl-1500c.1150598/page-3

​

 

[krenzler]

Seems to me the biggest upgrade (save for the cartridge) if you want to keep the stock arm (which should be solid on the "Gee") would be the KAB TD-1000 damper.

Silver is clearly the right choice of "colour".

 

[early]

My apologies, I couldn’t find a specific thread for the G.

No need to appologise , it wasn't meant as a critisism . I'm happy to see 1200G threads , it means I can participate .

Enjoy your tt .

 

[mikechadwick]

Seems to me the biggest upgrade (save for the cartridge) if you want to keep the stock arm (which should be solid on the "Gee") would be the KAB TD-1000 damper.

Silver is clearly the right choice of "colour".

That does look interesting