Technics, to lid or not to that is the question?

[cafe latte]

I have been doing a few experiments with my Technics and my 881 with the new stylus, but it seems other carts do a similar thing so I thought it was worth mentioning. With the lis on and in the up position and the volume up quite high lower the stylus on a stationary platter, now tap the turntable or even the shelf it is on. What happens is a low hum starts and builds and builds kind of like it is feeding itself and only stops when you raise the stylus. Now repeating the experiment only lower the lid with low volume so the stylus is on a stationary record as before, but now the lid is down and when lid is down turn up volume. Now tap the shelf again. The same hum as before but more volume is needed to start the hum loop again so clearly having the lid down is far better than having it up. Now removing the lid and repeat I tryed the experiment again. This time no matter what volume I tried I could not start the hum loop, even banging hards on the shelf and tapping all over the turntable itself. Sooo listening tests..
Without the lid onfortunatly the turntable sounds not surprisingly far far better.. Unfortunatly as it is a royal pain to have to remove the lid all the time, but the difference is huge. I have tried other carts and the results were similar so there is no denying it that Technics need the lid off for best results. I wonder how many Technics detractors have never tried this as the difference really is amazing. Now I have to mess with the lid though when I want to listen to a record hmmm..
Regards
CL

[Zebbo]

Hi Cafe
Interesting little test. We all know, of course, that the best place for the lid while playing is off so why manufacturers fix the thing in place I don't know. My Pink Triangle lid just slips into two spring-loaded slotted hinges, really easy.

[megatrends]

Yep my lid is OFF when spinning an LP as well. I have also noticed if the turntable is too near the speaker at higher volumes I get feedback so I keep the speakers away from it.

[Zebbo]

Indeed. My hi-fi is in the lounge which means that the TT has to sit between the speakers with each about 4 feet away. With the volume up a bit and the lid in place you can put your hand on top and it feels like a drum skin vibrating away! The TT no doubt still suffers from this airbourne vibration even without the lid on but much reduced. Roll on the day when the kids are gone and I get my own room!

[Shadowman82]

The lid on my Technics SL-1200 M3D is not attached so I keep it off during play . The only reason I can see for having a lid on there during play is so that dust , hairs etc don't start flying on to the record while it's playing , that does happen to me sometimes .

[dragonhead00]

On my Technics SL-Q200, it's lid off. On my Hitachi, it's lid down. I noticed that when I contacted my shelf--even slightly--the needle would skip. With the lid down, not so much. That made me wonder what vibrations from the speakers, which sit inches from both of them, were doing to my TTs.

[LPM]

With me it's lid completely off as well.

With the lid on and up, I can get drumming through the speaker by tapping the lid so it's clear it acts as a big ear lobe for airborne energy. With the lid off together with the Isonoe feet and solid shelf mean I get virtually no feedback at all, however loud I play or tap the plinth.

One thing that puzzles me though is why removing the lid seems such a problem to some. I bought my 1210 new in 2010 and unless earlier models were different, removing the lid is simply a matter of opening to the normal detent and lifting it straight up. The hinge tongue draws straight up and clear from the slot in the hinge body on the plinth. Seconds to take off and set to one side and seconds to replace. Seems like great design to me as the lid is well located and can't be readily displaced when the TT is not in use.

[cafe latte]

With me it's lid completely off as well.

With the lid on and up, I can get drumming through the speaker by tapping the lid so it's clear it acts as a big ear lobe for airborne energy. With the lid off together with the Isonoe feet and solid shelf mean I get virtually no feedback at all, however loud I play or tap the plinth.

One thing that puzzles me though is why removing the lid seems such a problem to some. I bought my 1210 new in 2010 and unless earlier models were different, removing the lid is simply a matter of opening to the normal detent and lifting it straight up. The hinge tongue draws straight up and clear from the slot in the hinge body on the plinth. Seconds to take off and set to one side and seconds to replace. Seems like great design to me as the lid is well located and can't be readily displaced when the TT is not in use.

It is true the lid is easy to remove, but I may have to remove a painting from above my TT as the heavy frame is a bit in the way when I want to lift it off. In all the time I have had my Technics I have always opened the lid from the corner were the ruber feet are so avoiding greasy finger marks, also the TT is covered with a soft cover when not in use so it is still as new even the lid does not even have the light cleaning scratches most have. Now I really need to remove it to play a record it does not fill me with joy as it is bound to pick up marks coming on and off. Still it does sound so much better off so it has to be done.
Regards
CL

[Fishtails]

I never keep lids on my turntables. They just look crap

[LPM]

Now I really need to remove it to play a record it does not fill me with joy as it is bound to pick up marks coming on and off.

Nah! Mine is still pristine after dozens of removals. Only once off a day after all. I have a pristine lounge chair I allow it sit on and listen to the music with me. Pampered really.

[LPM]

I never keep lids on my turntables. They just look crap

The lids or the Turntable Just joshing

[mmarston]

I have 2 main systems. In the front room, NAD 533 +Dynaco 410 +Paradigm 9se's +dustcover=feedback. Dustcover (& speaker grille cloths) go in corner against bookshelves while listening. In the spare bedroom, DJ system, Tech 1200s +Mackie 400W powered speakers +dustcover=feedback. Dustcovers go in closet.

Not listening, dustcovers prevent dust accumulation on platters which might soil precious records. That is all...

[awkwardbydesign]

Can you damp the lid? I use an easy to peel vinyl (for sign lettering), so maybe you could stick a layer of that on the lid and then damping material on top. If you don't like it, it is easy to remove with a little gentle warmth, and leaves no marks. I know it's not so pretty, but with a little thought it could look interesting.
I have an Oracle Delphi and the lid doesn't reach the plinth, so dust gets in anyway; I have made a cover from a sari (not mine!) and it looks like an altar, especially with a statue of Ganesha on top. I do remove it to play records.

[hoolio]

Can you damp the lid? I use an easy to peel vinyl (for sign lettering), so maybe you could stick a layer of that on the lid and then damping material on top. If you don't like it, it is easy to remove with a little gentle warmth, and leaves no marks. I know it's not so pretty, but with a little thought it could look interesting.
I have an Oracle Delphi and the lid doesn't reach the plinth, so dust gets in anyway; I have made a cover from a sari (not mine!) and it looks like an altar, especially with a statue of Ganesha on top. I do remove it to play records.

Heh, dust gets into everything.
There is no worry about my listening habits introducing vibration into my TT as I listen at a low volume mostly. But I have a problem with the idea of a record being played while the dust just pleases itself.
I've never noticed my Linn being affected by action of the speakers. The TT is a 1976 Linn with the original lid I believe, with a stick that pivots on the side and rests in a hole in the plinth. All very tacky I reckon, even though the lid is in exceptional condition and looks good.
Sounds good too.