2. analog
  3. 163357-1665

Anyone have a fully upgraded KAB 1200?

I'm very close to having a fully upgraded KAB Technics 1200 with only needing some of the power supply upgrades.  Basically, i'd need the outboard PS and the strobe disable to call it complete (I did the DC voltage regulator (DC-1200) a while back to prepare for the outboard power supply).

Can anyone can comment on whether or not it was worth it?  I'm very happy with the 1200, and this last bit will call it "complete".  Reading through forums, I realize that the sonic improvements are not as great as say a tonearm rewire, mat, or tonearm silicon mod.  However, it's more of a "why not" type of thing and also as a sense of completion to it.

Cost would be ~$200.  Thoughts?  
martinman

Showing 5 responses by chakster

chakster's avatar
chakster
6,144 posts
 
In my opinion:  technics upgrade should start from a cartridge and full rewire from cartridge terminal pins to the phono stage. 

KAB offered external power supply, the rest of his upgrade is pretty basic and his wires are not the best. 

Anyway, when you start from power supply you will not hear much improvement as you can hear with different cartridge even before rewiring. 

Fluid damper is only for high compliance cartridges.




chakster's avatar
chakster
6,144 posts
 
You don’t have to buy everything KAB! Better cables available (zu audio mission phono RCA), for tonearm cardas litz internal tonearm wires, better feet available (isonoe for example), better mats available (SAEC SS-300 for example).  Rewire process of Technics is very easy for every technician. KAB is just one of them with the worst website on the planet, his site look like we are in the mid 90’s again and never upgraded, this is the worst site I even seen in my life, the size of the images is like the size of matchbox. 
chakster's avatar
chakster
6,144 posts
 
I think the best upgrade for old SL1200/1210 mk2 - mk6 is to sell it and to buy SP-10 mk2 with EPA-100 instead :) Took me a while to figure out, when I bought my SP-10 mk2 with EPA-100 my pair of SL1210mk2 was fully upgraded (kab fluid damper, complete rewire with cardas and zu, isonoe footers etc). 

SP-10mk2 in a custom plinth with EPA-100 tonearm is another level!
chakster's avatar
chakster
6,144 posts
 
I purchased the rca cables to swap for the stock ones. No one can do this work, remove old ones, solder on new better quality ones, I won’t attempt it, consider me Tim Taylor (toolman) I would destroy something.

There is a step by step tutorial on youtube how to disassemble Technics turntables for rewire.  


chakster's avatar
chakster
6,144 posts
 
KAB PSU mods are an easy recommendation as are the Isonoe Sorbothane Boots from KAB.

Sarbothane or glass pads for Isonoe is not necessary. Isonoe is UK company, KAB is just a USA re-seller.
Isonoe feet without additional sarbothane boots are fine, just like on first 2 pictures on Isonoe Official Site


More to discover