My Technics 1200 mods

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.
20200927_183054.jpg

Power supply:
20200927_183101.jpg

Platter spikes:
20200927_184517.jpg
 
That’s a classy looking rig, and I think many people (myself included) could see something like that as an end-point!
 
That’s a classy looking rig, and I think many people (myself included) could see something like that as an end-point!
Thanks!
I should add that I wired the old power switch (not needed with the external PSU) to the strobe so I only turn that on when I want to check it and I replaced the pop up light with a blue LED.
 
I have a M3D, 2003-5 or whatever.
-External PS, thanks 6L6@diyaudio forum, regulators etc.
-Ianmac bearing, though I don't have the later top trough reservoir.

These definitely cleaned up the noise floor. PS, was more so. I have always wanted to switch arms. I really like Audio mods arms. But, just never have gotten around to it. A plinth in concrete has been the plan for a while. Mold is mostly made. Again, someday is the working plan.

My daily driver is a Gates CB77. Kinda feel the prat better. Techie seems more CD like if that's understandable. Although the positives are exact speed, all the time.
 
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.



Platter spikes:
View attachment 27858

wow interesting. have never seen this before. how do the platter spikes adhere to the platter? did you experiment with placement?

im hating the felt mat on my pioneer (static-y) and this looks worth a try. thanks for the share.
 
wow interesting. have never seen this before. how do the platter spikes adhere to the platter? did you experiment with placement?

im hating the felt mat on my pioneer (static-y) and this looks worth a try. thanks for the share.
If you google resomat you will see.
I followed the resomat placement and used self adhesive rubber discs. I did cut them down as they were too large.
 
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