The later MKII model tonearm which is the one found on the SL1200MKII and SL1700MKII in the review above, is a more medium mass at 12-13g and shares a closer family resemblence, at least visually with the Technics EPA-100/250/500 high end tonearms. This model I think has a slightly higher 15-16g mass which can of course be varied somewhat by changing the headshell. The original SL1300-1900 have a higher mass arm which can easily be visually distinguished from the later MKII series ( again all using the same model arm ) by the section resembling a drum which holds the bearings over the arms pivot point, where it's attached to the deck. But here is a very close relative the SL1700 MkII from 1980.Īll the SL**00 series aside from the SL1000, SL1100 and SL1200 Mk I seem to share two basic tonearm designs.
So to help to throw some light on the issues involved here are some old Hi-Fi Choice reviews I dug up from the twilight of the analogue era.įirst off I couldn't find a review of the actual SL1200 MkII ( the cheapest most commonly available version still sold today).
SME TONEARM WORTH IT UPGRADE
The upgrade prices are not that disimilar but the approaches are very different with KABUSA advocating silicon damping and a tweaked concorde style cart compared to OL's approach of dumping the stock arm altogther in favour of a Rega derived replacement.
SME TONEARM WORTH IT MODS
To get the best out of it there are many aftermarket mods from the likes of KABUSA and Origin Live which focus on the tonearm, arguably the single most important upgrade you can make to this 'table. So for anyone interested in direct drives or just getting into vinyl it's a lot of deck at a bargain price. The Technics SL1200 is these days being re-appraised by audiophiles as a seriously capable turntable not just a workhorse for DJs.