Garrard Technics or something else?

Efraim roots · Post by **Efraim roots** » 2011-02-12 01:54

I need a workhorse turntable to be used at soundsystem dances, the obvious choice so far has been Technics SL-1200. I'm not interesting in mixing tracks between 2 decks, all I need is one deck and be able to change records on the fly, it also has to work in a dance hall with something like 4x18" hornloaded bass drivers playing. I'm planning to take this source first and tune dem knowledge in to the dance halls.

How about those Garrard 301/401 people seems to love so much and Technics SP-10? Are they any good tunewize? I'm thinking I could use them with Linn arm and AT-95 pu. Another alternative is changing arm to Linn arm on a Technics SL-1200.

I'm interested in any advice.

ThomasOK · Post by **ThomasOK** » 2011-02-12 04:05

I haven't been particularly impressed with the Technics tables I have set up but I have honestly never had one in that was being optimized for maximum musical performance. However, there is one regular poster on the Linn forum by the name of sonddek who is really into the Technics SL1210. He has talked about it a bit on the forum and has an Ekos and Arkiv mounted on it with some external power supply and a special armboard. You might want to look at this thread for more information:

http://forums.linn.co.uk/bb/showthread. ... 965&page=2

I'm sure he'd be glad to answer a PM with any questions you might have as well. Good luck and let us know how it works out.

Efraim roots · Post by **Efraim roots** » 2011-02-12 20:23

Thanks for the link Thomas. That sounds interesting, I should ask him about that PSU and armboard and other setup tricks. I have not dared to investigate to much in Technics modding as it's hopeless to deal with hifi enthusiasts which not evaluate by tune dem. I actually tried to put on another arm on a Technics SL-1210, a Jelco 250ST and I used it at home before I bought my LP12. I also tried it once in the dance before I sold it and it was clearly the best sound I ever had. Source first rules every time.

As these old school soundsystems from Jamaica and UK often used Garrard decks I'm interested in how good they are. Even today many Hifi enthusiasts seems to love them. I once read from a Naim fanatic who use Garrard 401 with Naim ARO that the Garrard 'locks the rhythm', which I guess could be a good thing, and also somewhat describes the sound of these old school soundsystems. Anyone with experience with these decks?

Technics SP-10? Sony TT-8800?

Tony Tune-age · Post by **Tony Tune-age** » 2011-02-14 15:47

Here's some information regarding the Technics SP-10 turntable.

http://www.soundfountain.com

After getting logged on, click the Catalogs & Books icon, then on the left side of the page schroll down to SP 10 Page or SP 10 Plinths.

Spannko · Post by **Spannko** » 2011-02-14 23:21

What about a Rega deck? Anything above a P3 might be quite interesting - easy to transport and one of the most musical decks not made in Glasgow. They're nowhere near as good as an LP12, but better than most decks on the market.

I heard a Technics 1200 recently which had been upgraded (I'm not sure what with, but it was on the stand of the parts supplier at a show). It was one of the worst decks I've ever heard - I could only listen for about 15 seconds (seriously!). There was plenty of detail, but it was totally musically incompetent.

I've heard many decks over the years and the LP12 beats them all. When it comes to second best, the Rega's are just as good as most (musically) and a lot cheaper. I heard the 401 once, and it was ok - a bit hifi'y (not as musical as a rega) but a very solid, stable sound.

I've just remembered that I've also heard a Thorens TD124 too. It was positioned in front of 2 huge (1.5m x 1m x 1m) horn loaded bass bins. It sounded like the 401 with a bit of musicality and didn't seem to have any feedback problems.

I've also just remembered that the 301 was always considered to be better (ie more musical) than the 401 in the 50's/60's by specialist dealer's. I've not compared them, but I got that from one of first Linn dealer's that started business selling batteries for radio's in the 1930's!

Tony Tune-age · Post by **Tony Tune-age** » 2011-02-15 13:48

I think the Sondek beats the Thorens, Technics, Rega and several other turntables as well. I have not owned a Rega turntable, but have owned a Thorens with different tonearms and cartridges. However, the Rega tables are decent sounding, affordable and easy to set-up. And some Thorens tables have sounded good also, especially with the proper tonearm and cartridge combination.

Ultimately, it might depend on how much money a person wants to spend and if they want a turntable that can be set-up fairly easy.

That's just one of the many things I like about turntables...lots of options 8) .

Efraim roots · Post by **Efraim roots** » 2011-02-15 14:07

Thanks for your replies.

I heard a Technics 1200 recently which had been upgraded (I'm not sure what with, but it was on the stand of the parts supplier at a show). It was one of the worst decks I've ever heard

This is why i stopped investigate further tweaks of my SL-1210 a couple of years ago. I realized that the people behind the upgrades had a completely different judgement in Hifi than I'm interested in.
Still I don't think the SL-1210 is terrible deck and with some 'tune dem' upgrades and tweaks it might be rather good (i haven't tried much tho).

Actually, when I first got my Lingo/Ekos LP12 and plugged it in for the first time, my absolutely first thought was: 'the Technics was really good after all'. My preference for LP12 has grown everyday since though, which I would say is a good thing, a satisfaction that lasts.

Thanks for the input regarding Garrads. Rega has of course also crossed my mind. I would love to use Rega if they could stand the pressure of the hostile environment. There is only way to find out I guess, I have to try it sometime. My first feelings when I see their decks is that they will have problem with feedback and stability. I have no experience with their decks so maybe I'm wrong?

Efraim roots · Post by **Efraim roots** » 2011-02-15 15:04

Thanks for the Thorens input aswell, I never really considered them but I guess I should listen if I find something suitable. They are quite usual in the second hand shops.

Tony Tune-age · Post by **Tony Tune-age** » 2011-02-15 16:03

Efraim roots wrote:Thanks for the Thorens input aswell, I never really considered them but I guess I should listen if I find something suitable. They are quite usual in the second hand shops.

Good luck with your search, and I hope you find the proper turntable for your specific needs... 8)

Efraim roots · Post by **Efraim roots** » 2011-02-15 16:47

By the way, can you see something familiar in this pic? :)

Tony Tune-age · Post by **Tony Tune-age** » 2011-02-15 17:32

Efraim roots wrote:By the way, can you see something familiar in this pic? :)

Hmmm, looks like a Technics SL-1200 turntable...if I'm seeing the picture correctly 8) .

Post by **lejonklou** » 2011-02-15 17:48

I suspect it's a KINKI sound system. :)

Tony Tune-age · Post by **Tony Tune-age** » 2011-02-15 17:50

lejonklou wrote:I suspect it's a KINKI sound system. :)

Good point...I did see that actually 8) .

Spannko · Post by **Spannko** » 2011-02-15 17:53

"Still I don't think the SL-1210 is terrible deck and with some 'tune dem' upgrades and tweaks it might be rather good (i haven't tried much tho)."

Good point Efraim. It leaves the door open for lots of Tune Dem based experiments.

lindsayt · Post by **lindsayt** » 2011-02-17 23:46

Using Tune-dem methodology:

I've heard a Technics 1210 with standard arm and a moving magnet cartridge sound bad - particularly untuneful.

And a Technics 1210 with a modded Rega arm and Ortofon Rondo Bronze cartridge sound very good. Good enough to beat my LP12 / Ittok / Troika.

Similar thing with Garrards too. Arm and cartridge plus plinth seems to make all the difference from a tunedem point of view. Some combinations being worse than my LP12, some better. Support for the Garrards can be important too. I was at a recent Garrard 301 dem when an original Sound organisation table was placed under it which improved the tunefuleness a lot.

Lenco idlers can be good too with the right arm cart and plinth.

There's a host of Japanese 1970's to 1980's statement type direct drive turntables that would be interesting to investigate from a tune-dem point of view.

And then there's the EMT's: 930, 948, 950 have all been better than my LP12 when I've compared them.