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Playing records is a mechanical event, you can not get too cheap on it. You need precision parts, otherwise might as well spend those $500 bucks on a reasonable DAC. If you look around, great DACs will hit the used market or they will go on sale.
Now, TT... I think the 1200 is, well, is a DD. Look at belt drive Thorens and Dual. Likely better than what you got, plenty of them. except people are paying stooopid prices, nowadays IMHO, for vintage units.
But mind you, going up in price, for TTs, in the 500 to 3000 USD/EUR range does make a big difference. It's really the only place in an audio system where I would recommend that money does buy you a better piece of equipment.... so I always go "used".
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I just bought a copy of the 2001 A Space Odyssey soundtrack. It looks clean and the vinyl is pretty heavy weight.
The vinyl must have been pre loaded with talc or something. Noisy as hell.
I am going to try cleaning a side.
Will report on results.
The vinyl must have been pre loaded with talc or something. Noisy as hell.
I am going to try cleaning a side.
It looks like PVA, which IMHO is not the best option: methyl cellulose glue is safer, it does not stick to unwanted surfaces, and it forms a supple, flexible film easier to peel off
This is a good plan! Mod the SL-1200 PSU outboard, change the stock mat to cork or acromat, and place something like vibrapods under the stock feet and the -1200 can stand shoulder to shoulder with any turntable. (May want to consider an arm rewire depending on the exact mark, not all need it) And yes, it's direct drive, so it has actual rhythm, drive, pace, and tonal purity.
Aye... 😆
I've been sorely tempted to go the "groove splooge" route but given 1) the amount o' glue needed per side, b) the number of discs in even a moderately-sized collection, and III) the price of a gallon of Titebond (approaching $40 USD per gallon as I write this), investing in an ultrasonic rig as 6L6 suggests appears to be the better long-term solution IMHO. BUT... it's probably worth trying for giggles. I have several suitable candidates that leap to mind.
A DD with pace? What? Pace, rhythm, tonal purity as what you'd find in a disco at Akihara playing Euro Techno? After drinking half a bottle of buckwheat sochu and smoking a pack of Marlboros?
This is no party, this is no disco, this is no DD'ing going around!
Going around in circles, give me a Belt to go around.
Besides, your parts description, at that point you're looking at a hefty BOM... you might as well get a real turntable with a straight tonearm, a proper suspension, a belt drive and a real name to start with... hmm.. like a Linn LP12. Used. No need for vibrapods for the Linn (). The SL1200 is hugely overpriced, while there are lots of LP12 around and the parts are available -so upgrades are always around and you can find plenty of used specimens in great shape -ie: competitive market with buyers who are not buying vintage with flashy disco strobe lights and knobs and switches. (*), (***).
Myself, I'd go for an SL1200 if I could find a proper belt for it, replace it's suspension, change the toner arm, add a Keel, etc... I think you know where I'm going with this? I like the Sota with the vacuum, but they are hard to maintain and good luck getting an Infinity Black Widow for it.
I do admit that a combo of LP12, Ittok, Grado, Lingo and VPI HW 16.5 doesn't satisfy the fundamental concept of DIY. It is sooo... commercial. But I did buy it all used (OK, I did buy the HW 16.5 on sale about 22 years ago). And the Grado... well.... I've been on their trade in/up plan for four cartridges now: they give half half the price you paid in trade in, so that helps a lot with upgrading the line and it mates fantastically with my phono preamp.
(*). Actually, it degrades its sound, I've tried it stuff like Sorbothane pucks, heavy mass shelves, the whole audiophile shebang. I ended up RTFM -for once. I got mine on top of a Target 5TT stand. Lead shot and sand filled. Audiophile lead shot and sand, mind you.. the Haggis Silica Reference Signature Series, Mk III.
(**) The used market for audio currently seems split... the "vintage" fools who are into the looks ( vide the SL1200, Marantz 2325 ) and overpay like crazy (have you seen the morons asking for $750 for a Marantz 2220B? ) and audiophiles that buy stuff that sounds good and sometimes it's well made.
(**) Heck, after a four year wait, I found a low miles, used Lingo -with a spare motor and belt- in Canada for $550 including shipping.
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Now you guys are confusing me.
Must the white goo be applied on the record itself .... OR .... the sleeve .... OR .... the Artist?
Inquiring minds want to now.