Michael Fremer Slaps Down The Technics Sl-1200

[flavio81]

Thanks flavio81 for your input. I see in your profile no listing for an SL-1200. Where you converted to the Lenco 75 due to your experience? Perhaps you can provide some specifics on the difference you heard.

I toyed around with several technics of the SL line including the linear trackers. Now i only have Lencos.

I have written previously of the specifics of the difference, but long story short, it sound simply was more fluid and smooth, timebase-wise; this was more evident on piano recordings. I don't mean pitch, pitch was perfectly OK with the technics direct drives (plural), but the DDs had like a brittle quality of sound which was totally absent on the stock Lenco L75. Mind you, with exactly the same cartridge, preamp, amp and speakers.

The interesting thing is that before trying the Lenco, the Technics DDs sounded perfectly OK to my ears. It was only after comparison than i found that the records could sound better in terms of speed smoothness. I always assumed DD=perfect rotational smoothness. I was wrong.

Of course this is a different story if we talk of DD turntables of the calibre of the SP10MKIII or the EMT 950...

[covalongacurta]

perhaps i feel like Michael Something when i listen to my own system ! In fact is a waste of time to blame on expensive stuff ... The snake oil sellers and makers have the right to earn there living too ! 5000 watts ??? What for ?? I think that "high-end" is becoming a philosophical trend ! I like vinyl because i like vinyl no matter if records are considered high-end low-end or damn-end ! And yes those speakers high-something have lack of bass ! If low frequencies are on the record i want to listen to them !

[pivot]

... And yes those speakers high-something have lack of bass ! If low frequencies are on the record i want to listen to them !

Might be informative if you mentioned what "high-something" you have heard and what you think sounds better.

[covalongacurta]

... And yes those speakers high-something have lack of bass ! If low frequencies are on the record i want to listen to them !

Might be informative if you mentioned what "high-something" you have heard and what you think sounds better.

i think it wouldn't be fair from me . my doc said there's nothing wrong with my ears . You can judge from yours ! All the best

[pivot]

i think it wouldn't be fair from me . my doc said there's nothing wrong with my ears . You can judge from yours ! All the best

Odd definition of "fair".

[covalongacurta]

i think it wouldn't be fair from me . my doc said there's nothing wrong with my ears . You can judge from yours ! All the best

Odd definition of "fair".

your signature makes a lot of sense in the audio world

[vincitsemper]

Hello everyone,

Whilst not wishing to cast aspersions on HiFi magazines in general I must relay an experience I had a few years ago.

a journalist friend of mine that had absolutely no experience whatsoever of anything remotely "audiophile" knew someone in charge of a very famous British HiFi magazine.

His friend gave him a job reviewing music and after a very short time my friend had built up a very impressive HiFi system made up of top of the range components given to the magazine in order to be reviewed.

Apparently the more positive the magazine's comments were about the reviewed component the more likely it was that the maker would "forget" to ask for the component to be returned.

The editor's office was crammed with components the makers "forgot" to pick up.I leave you all to draw your own conclusions but suffice to say that it was a well known fact amongst reviewers that free HiFi was an expected perk of the job.

I am in no way saying that the practice is widespread but if I named the magazine in question you would all be truly shocked as it is a leading and extremely respected publication.

Before anyone asks whether I have any proof I will say that £12k + of free esoteric HiFi at my friends flat is proof enough for me.

From the day my friend told me of this practice I have never bought or even read another HiFi publication.

Regards,

Victor.

[covalongacurta]

Hello everyone,

Whilst not wishing to cast aspersions on HiFi magazines in general I must relay an experience I had a few years ago.

a journalist friend of mine that had absolutely no experience whatsoever of anything remotely "audiophile" knew someone in charge of a very famous British HiFi magazine.

His friend gave him a job reviewing music and after a very short time my friend had built up a very impressive HiFi system made up of top of the range components given to the magazine in order to be reviewed.

Apparently the more positive the magazine's comments were about the reviewed component the more likely it was that the maker would "forget" to ask for the component to be returned.

The editor's office was crammed with components the makers "forgot" to pick up.I leave you all to draw your own conclusions but suffice to say that it was a well known fact amongst reviewers that free HiFi was an expected perk of the job.

I am in no way saying that the practice is widespread but if I named the magazine in question you would all be truly shocked as it is a leading and extremely respected publication.

Before anyone asks whether I have any proof I will say that £12k + of free esoteric HiFi at my friends flat is proof enough for me.

From the day my friend told me of this practice I have never bought or even read another HiFi publication.

Regards,

Victor.

how does all that forgotten stuff sound like ? In your oppinion Is it worth 12 k ?

[vincitsemper]

Hello,

Good question. In fact manifacturers do not just "forget" the items they send to review,sometimes they "lend" items also.

My friend has a pair of TDL's transmission line loudspeakers,an amp/preamp combo,a DAC and CD player and also a Quad 33/303 vintage. The items donated are often very good whilst the crap reviewed stays in the editor's office gathering dust or gets "lent" to friends for cash.

Forgot to mention that the same goes for "sample" vinyl and CDs both of which my friend has an immense amount of what he likes and flogs what he doesn't.

By the way,my friend had a stack system before he started reviewing music. He used to to come round my place and marvel at my Linn/Grace G707/Supex and had never even heard of Linn.

last I saw of him it's when he was trying to flog me a humming Naim power amp.

Yes,his system sounded great but many of the items were not the models reviewed,further proof of how much the reviewers thought of the tested items.

Anyone here remember DAT tapes? Well when they came out,another friend of mine that sold advertising space on another famous publication,was " lent" a player.The company distributing the machines belonged to a friend of his and upon giving him the DAT told him the manifacturers knew it would not last long and CD would soon take over.

This particular friend of mine had the latest LP12/Ittok Naim pre/power , Linn Kanns, Nakamichi Dragon.He paid for none of it,all on loan from a shop. When his Linn Kanns blew a tweeter,the shop came and collected them and lent him a boxed pair of Celestion 3s to use in the meantime. When the Kanns returned the Celestion 3s stayed put,I know as he flogged them to me without saying anything. I discovered this many years later when he joked about it.

This is the "old boy network" weaving it's magic,an elite few that try and influence the masses just for profit,so as the old adage goes,believe little of what you read.

Chances are a lot of this chaps even went to the same schools together,the friends I spoke about certainly did.

Regards,

Victor.

[covalongacurta]

Hello,

Good question. In fact manifacturers do not just "forget" the items they send to review,sometimes they "lend" items also.

My friend has a pair of TDL's transmission line loudspeakers,an amp/preamp combo,a DAC and CD player and also a Quad 33/303 vintage. The items donated are often very good whilst the crap reviewed stays in the editor's office gathering dust or gets "lent" to friends for cash.

Forgot to mention that the same goes for "sample" vinyl and CDs both of which my friend has an immense amount of what he likes and flogs what he doesn't.

By the way,my friend had a stack system before he started reviewing music. He used to to come round my place and marvel at my Linn/Grace G707/Supex and had never even heard of Linn.

last I saw of him it's when he was trying to flog me a humming Naim power amp.

Yes,his system sounded great but many of the items were not the models reviewed,further proof of how much the reviewers thought of the tested items.

Anyone here remember DAT tapes? Well when they came out,another friend of mine that sold advertising space on another famous publication,was " lent" a player.The company distributing the machines belonged to a friend of his and upon giving him the DAT told him the manifacturers knew it would not last long and CD would soon take over.

This particular friend of mine had the latest LP12/Ittok Naim pre/power , Linn Kanns, Nakamichi Dragon.He paid for none of it,all on loan from a shop. When his Linn Kanns blew a tweeter,the shop came and collected them and lent him a boxed pair of Celestion 3s to use in the meantime. When the Kanns returned the Celestion 3s stayed put,I know as he flogged them to me without saying anything. I discovered this many years later when he joked about it.

This is the "old boy network" weaving it's magic,an elite few that try and influence the masses just for profit,so as the old adage goes,believe little of what you read.

Chances are a lot of this chaps even went to the same schools together,the friends I spoke about certainly did.

Regards,

Victor.

my doctor is a good doctor !

[covalongacurta]

Hello,

Good question. In fact manifacturers do not just "forget" the items they send to review,sometimes they "lend" items also.

My friend has a pair of TDL's transmission line loudspeakers,an amp/preamp combo,a DAC and CD player and also a Quad 33/303 vintage. The items donated are often very good whilst the crap reviewed stays in the editor's office gathering dust or gets "lent" to friends for cash.

Forgot to mention that the same goes for "sample" vinyl and CDs both of which my friend has an immense amount of what he likes and flogs what he doesn't.

By the way,my friend had a stack system before he started reviewing music. He used to to come round my place and marvel at my Linn/Grace G707/Supex and had never even heard of Linn.

last I saw of him it's when he was trying to flog me a humming Naim power amp.

Yes,his system sounded great but many of the items were not the models reviewed,further proof of how much the reviewers thought of the tested items.

Anyone here remember DAT tapes? Well when they came out,another friend of mine that sold advertising space on another famous publication,was " lent" a player.The company distributing the machines belonged to a friend of his and upon giving him the DAT told him the manifacturers knew it would not last long and CD would soon take over.

This particular friend of mine had the latest LP12/Ittok Naim pre/power , Linn Kanns, Nakamichi Dragon.He paid for none of it,all on loan from a shop. When his Linn Kanns blew a tweeter,the shop came and collected them and lent him a boxed pair of Celestion 3s to use in the meantime. When the Kanns returned the Celestion 3s stayed put,I know as he flogged them to me without saying anything. I discovered this many years later when he joked about it.

This is the "old boy network" weaving it's magic,an elite few that try and influence the masses just for profit,so as the old adage goes,believe little of what you read.

Chances are a lot of this chaps even went to the same schools together,the friends I spoke about certainly did.

Regards,

Victor.

i've known that my otolaryngologist is a good doctor .

[pivot]

....I am in no way saying that the practice is widespread but if I named the magazine in question you would all be truly shocked as it is a leading and extremely respected publication.
.....

I have not been an "insider" for decades but from what I know...

Pretty much S.O.P. (standard operating proceedure) in the trade.

...and the "member of the trade" gets to buy even gear he has not reviewed at "comp", generally at 50% off wholesale (NOT retail).

How do you think most review mags work? Review mags serve the industry not the consumer. Reviews are a sales tool.

The advertising sales pays most of the mags operating costs....and what manufacturer would buy glossy expensive ad space from a mag that pans his products?

Not saying reviewers are "evil" but the reader needs to apply careful grains of salt.

[mishak]

I am a little late in discussion about SL1200, but I have this example (from the real life) that I would like to share:
All Russian middle mafia men love black BMW 740, 745 and 750 sedans.
Does this mean that Bavarian Motor Works designed that car especially for the gang use, and no good citizen should buy it?

[Earle]

Im assuming you all are talking about the MK2's but anyway, you dont have to have a high end to have great sound. I own a Technics 1300 and whatever is said, with a great cart and stylus, they sound awesome. Mines 35 plus years old and works perfect. That being said, because DJ's use it, doesnt mean it isnt audiophile quality, which it is to me without the pricetag...

I have never heard anyone complain about one....what else is there to say except opinions vary...=-)