SL1210 advice

[Jonty2547]

So, I picked up my £300 Ebay win today, got it home and had a good look.
How the fcuk is it even possible to get a TT this dirty? The seller only used it for for hi-fi not DJing so god only knows…




After 2 hours of elbow grease, bad language and probably too much beer it ended up looking a little better…



I’ve not set it up as yet, but are there any do’s & don’ts with these decks? or any basic and easy mods to get it sounding better than stock? (i.e.,swapping the head shell, changing the feet, mats etc?).

[Dr Bunsen Honeydew]

Sumiko headshell.

EDIT - not available new at the moment, don't know why, and any 2nd hand are snapped up quickly on ebay.

[_D_S_J_R_]

I think the Jelco shell is similar? The modern techie shell is fine for MM's although I bow to audiophoolery and replace the stock wires with posher looking foo ones that you can buy under twenty notes... For an MC, a Sumiko, Jelco or similar thick flat plate type would be better, but don't go mad on the headshell mass, as the counterweight isn't heavy enough to balance it and properly bolted cartridge out, so then you need a 'Speedy Steve' counterweight sleeve, and then a KAB damper and better? mat (the existing mat damps the platter ringing out pretty well perfectly, by the way) and off we go on the merry-go-round. The feet do seem liable for a primary upgrade though, if the deck is not to be sat on a dedicated turntable support...

Oh, and best remove the lid entirely when playing as I remember it making a substantial difference - it kills the earlier SL1500/SL150 and relatives!

[Jonty2547]

Thanks, off to Ebay i go
I must say for the money and after fitting a 2M Blue it sounds pretty darn good. In fact, very very good!
I've always wanted one and am now kicking myself for not doing it sooner

[guydarryl]

Would the ADC (LMG?) "freebie" headshell be any good - they come up fairly often.

Crikey, just had a look:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/ADC-MAGNESIUM ... SwEzxYQs5S

Is it just me or do other people get annoyed at prices on stuff like this - they were given away with the XLM cartridge at one stage.

[Neonknight]

Some folks like to add the KAB fluid damper to this arm, feels it makes a noticeable improvement. That and having them do a rewire, as their internal wire is supposed to be quite good. Some folks take the wire all the way out to RCA male plugs, while others go to RCA female terminations in the chassis. Those seem to be the two most cost effective upgrades, aside from using it on a wall shelf.

[jayman67]

you can get a sumiko headshell here, https://www.coolgales.com/product/sumiko-headshell/

[Jonty2547]

Got a ADC LMG-1 with a Shure M75ED cart from Dave@Radlett today for considerably less than the one Guy linked to from Ebay
That Sumiko does look tempting though and a good price.
The KAB damper gets great reviews, but as this is a 2nd deck and i really don't want to go too mad on expensive upgrades.

[jayman67]

the sumiko made a big difference when i fitted it to the old sony arm i had.and as you say a good price too!