I had some questions in another thread so I thought I would post the mods that I have done to my 1999 Technics SL-1200 M3D:
1) Origin Live Onyx tonearm- This was a significant upgrade from the stock arm in sound clarity. I never was a big fan of removeable headshells anyway, just another connection point to worry about:
2) External power supply- I built this myself, (went to electronics school in the 70s) it is the black box with the blue LEDs. I use the existing transformer but slightly different circuitry and a different voltage regulator. I use an XLR cable to carry the juice. I immediately noticed a lower noise floor when I plugged it in. Most likely from getting the transformer out from under the platter. It only cost me about $40 to build it, I would not pay the high prices that many aftermarket sellers want for this mod.
3) IanMac spindle bearing- This has lower friction and a smoother spin than the stock, this resulted in a slightly cleaner sound. Not a huge difference. I mainly did this as I intend on keeping this turntable forever.
4) Sorbothane feet- Much better at damping than the stock feet.
5) KAB walnut case- Just for looks and my wife liked it, not often that I get approval for something like that so I jumped on it.
6) Coated the inside of the plinth with rope caulk to reduce ringing.
7) Had it repainted in black, it was silver, by the airbrush guy at a local mall.
8) I really like using a reso-mat but decided to try putting the spikes directly on the platter. I ended up playing with a lot of different spike materials until I tried a semi-soft rubber from Hobby Lobby. I just like the sound a lot better than any mat that I have tried and as a bonus the records stay a lot cleaner.
Power supply:
Platter spikes:
1) Origin Live Onyx tonearm- This was a significant upgrade from the stock arm in sound clarity. I never was a big fan of removeable headshells anyway, just another connection point to worry about:
2) External power supply- I built this myself, (went to electronics school in the 70s) it is the black box with the blue LEDs. I use the existing transformer but slightly different circuitry and a different voltage regulator. I use an XLR cable to carry the juice. I immediately noticed a lower noise floor when I plugged it in. Most likely from getting the transformer out from under the platter. It only cost me about $40 to build it, I would not pay the high prices that many aftermarket sellers want for this mod.
3) IanMac spindle bearing- This has lower friction and a smoother spin than the stock, this resulted in a slightly cleaner sound. Not a huge difference. I mainly did this as I intend on keeping this turntable forever.
4) Sorbothane feet- Much better at damping than the stock feet.
5) KAB walnut case- Just for looks and my wife liked it, not often that I get approval for something like that so I jumped on it.
6) Coated the inside of the plinth with rope caulk to reduce ringing.
7) Had it repainted in black, it was silver, by the airbrush guy at a local mall.
8) I really like using a reso-mat but decided to try putting the spikes directly on the platter. I ended up playing with a lot of different spike materials until I tried a semi-soft rubber from Hobby Lobby. I just like the sound a lot better than any mat that I have tried and as a bonus the records stay a lot cleaner.
Power supply:
Platter spikes: