Second TT for Work

[digitaladdictions]

Just checked my amazon order history, it was April 15th 2009 when I bought my Technics SL-1200MK2 for $349.72 with $3.99 next day shipping with prime. I paired this with a Denon DL-110 cartridge which was $139. It feeds a pair of Mackie MR5 monitors that I already had through a TCC TC-754 preamp. This was my first TT and at the time it was a toss up between the Technics, Rega RP1, and Music Hall mmf 2.2. Ultimately I went with the technics because at the time it was the cheapest of the 3 solutions and I just could not justify the other two at the time.

I am now thinking of getting another TT for at work. I have been absolutely thrilled with my current setup; not that I have anything to compare it to from an audio reproduction standpoint. As it turns out the technics has increased in price quite radically over the last 3 years apparently. Now despite how much I do love it I cannot justify spending $1000 on a second one when I could get the Rega RP1 or Music Hall mmf 2.2 for half that price.

To give you a idea of the music I listen to the three records that are sitting out on my desk next to the player right now are Hendrix - Band of Gypsys, The Velvet Underground & Nico, Gaslight Anthem - Live at Park Ave.

I enjoy high quality in both audio reproduction and in build quality but I am ultimately a engineer at heart and the type of guy to play it by the numbers and want a system that is transparent as possible. The idea of a tube amp adding "warmth" for example to me seems to be blasphemy. Not that I don't like the sound necessarily but If I am going to play the role of the artist and adjust the sound of a recording its going to be in a separate system and workflow not a permeant part of my playback setup.

With this information do you think one of the above mentioned systems would be a better fit for me than the other? Is there a system in this price range I should be considering? Given the little bit of background I gave do you think i would be disappointed with these compared to the technics?

Somewhat unrelated if I just wanted to drool over something what would be the next level up from the technics if I wanted to upgrade my home system. Since its just lusting over a new toy the price would not mater for this question.

[duficity]

Look, I am an engineer by education also, but I gave up on the idea that we can measure everything that matters in audio and relate that measurement to what we hear. Either we are measuring the wrong things, or we dont understand the effect of the measurements we are taking. So, the 70s idea that ultimate distortion measurements in amplifiers was important created some of the worst sounding equipment ever made. Just as "perfect sound forever" was a joke.
But, if you like your technics, then why not just get another one. They are on ebay all the time for less than $500. They are a decent player, certainly as good as a cheap Rega or Music Hall.
If you want something to drool about at home and which has engineering theory behind it, try an Oracle Delphi for looks, a Sota Star vacuum player for performance. You should be able to pick up either for less than $2000 used, maybe with arm depending on which MK version. Either is, IMO, a substantial upgrade from the Technics.

[KentT]

The Sota Star is beautiful, it performs great. SOTA makes nice gear, but it is a high end consumer product. It is not a proper professional turntable. Looks don't turn professional users on, good performance and impeccable reliability does. In the working environment, low torque flimsy motors and rubber band drive is worth nothing. Failure is not an option, it is losing income when professional reputations are at stake and revenue lost. As a rule, 99.9% of the turntables which work for a living are either idler or direct drive. Low maintenance in this application is critical. Durability under heavy use is required. Impeccable maintenance is expected on schedule.

[Bill in AZ]

Sounds like you need another Technics SL-1200 Mk whatever. Personally I thing these are not really hi-fi as built, but for reliability you can't beat them. As in all things this is just my opinion.

[duficity]

Kent,
I didnt consider the OP's request to be something he was using for professional purposes at work, but simply something to enjoy listening to while at work or home. And I stated that he should get the Sota for home, and use his existing Technics at work. So I am not sure what your post was meant to convey.

[Trackside]

Another SL-1200 (which most definatley is Hi-fi ) is the sensible choice. As an engineer you will appreciate it as a product of high tech engineering and electronic system control made affordable by the economoy of mass production. If you want to take it up to another level in sonic terms (and appreciate the engineering concept behind it) get a KAB arm damping kit.

[KentT]

I am saying the Sota is a superb choice for light home use. That is all. Not for heavy use day in and day out. I love a good Sota, the Star is a favorite and I like the Sapphire.

[cafe latte]

Go get another Technics. The rega rp1 and the music hall are way below the Technics. I ran a Project rpm 6.1sb side by side with the Technics for a bit while I was trying to sell the Project and the Technics far outperformed the Project. I currently also have a Commonwealth idler on a 32kg black bean plinth witth a 12 inch Jelco arm set up next to my Technics and neither will ever be leaving my house. Which is better? Neither they are both different.
The Technics is hard to beat even at the new higher price pint that they are selling for used and modded they can be taken to yet anohter level. After the Technics even if it is just for work you will not be satisfied with low end Regas or Projects and alike.
Regards
CL

[majick47]

You shouldn't have a problem finding a well kept/used SL-1200Mk2 in WI for $400+/- that will be far superior to any new entry level Project/Music Hall/Rega.

[digitaladdictions]

I was referring to something to listen while at work rather than use for professional work. I am a senior linux system administrator. When I said I am a engineer at heart its because I went to school for electronic engineering and still dabble with it as a hobby but not as a professional sound engineer or anything.

I do like the looks of the sota and since Im only 30years old probably around 85% of my vinyl came from my parents collections that where not stored very well over the last several decades. The technics actually does an amazing job tracking on these but the idea of a vacuum to fix minor warps seems appealing even if the technics has proved it to not really be necessary.

As much as I love the technics I also am of the mind set that I want to try something new. Being it was my first I have nothing to compare it to.

[Boukman]

Pick up a Lenco 75, perhaps improve the arm. Very cheap high quality idler drive turn table. I personally prefer idler drive by a mile to belt and by a few yards to direct drive. The Lenco's have amazingly simple but effective mechanical engineering. You can probably find a very good one for a couple hundred $

[stephan_g]

SL-1210s have increased in price so dramatically because they were discontinued about 2 years ago.

I'd look out for a decent midrange (and up) direct-drive/quartz-drive 'table from the '80s, when they were mainstream. Some can be a little plasticky on the outside, and stock cartridges may not be all that much to write home about, but they can be rather decent where it counts and usually are fairly affordable to boot.

Make sure the seller actually knows and cares about packaging the unit correctly if you don't want to wind up with a pile of trash, or alternatively pick up yourself.

Consider yourself lucky to be able to spin records @work. I'd be far too distracted to be able to enjoy it. (Same age, EE, and also working in IT now.)

BTW, I would also consider the "el cheapo" solution: Ripping vinyl @home and playing it from a DAP or computer. That keeps your records from degrading and delivers constant quality. A rather modest recording setup (following your usual pre) will do if you know what you're doing.

[cafe latte]

Pick up a Lenco 75, perhaps improve the arm. Very cheap high quality idler drive turn table. I personally prefer idler drive by a mile to belt and by a few yards to direct drive. The Lenco's have amazingly simple but effective mechanical engineering. You can probably find a very good one for a couple hundred $

Not dissagreeing that idler are not good, I love my Commonwealth, but but there is really very little difference in presentation between the two drive methods. The only difference I think I hear is maybe the plinth on my Commonwealth giving a slightly more colored presentation. I have spent quite a bit of time now with my Technics and my Commonwealth with a range of carts at my disposal and both turntables having interchangable headshells. Unfortunatly I sill need to align the carts though when swap them over as the Commonwealth has a 12 inch arm, but I have learnt were I need to adjust to so it does not take me long. Anyway there really is very little diffference if any between the sound of the two drive methods. I wonder if you set up any good idler drive and say an Technics SP10 in identical plinths with identical arms and carts what differences there would be sonically, I am guessing most of us would be hard pushed to pick which is which.
Just my opinion.
Regards
CL

[youngdand]

Another vote for another 1200. Reason being, if most of your listening is on 1200 already, i think you will be accustomed to its sound, and will notice pitch deviation quite prominiently in a belt drive table. Mabe treat yourself to a new phono stage too and see what that dl 110 can deliver.