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 3 responses by martinman

Hmm.  Nobody?  Well then, I have the power supply + strobe disabler coming.  I couldn't resist - it's the last ToDo. 

I already have the DC-1200 installed from a few years ago - my expectation is that this took care of alot of the noise.  We'll see! 
OP here -- I've done all the upgrades advised in the thread.  Only thing left is the power supply.  The best thing IMO about the 1200 is its DIY upgrade path.  I've done all the mods myself - tone arm rewire, lidz rca, wax spindle base, new spindle, tone arm dampening, etc.  Tone re-wire w/ lidz rca was a PITA, but probably the best bang for buck.  

For me, it's a hard sell to put a $300 mat or $150 feet on a $400 deck.  I'm quite happy with it as is and am mainly interested in calling my 1200 upgrade project complete with these final mods.  
Just wanted to update everyone.  I received the outboard power supply and strobe disabler this week and did the upgrade last night.  Sound report?  Definitely an improvement and noticeable change.  It's difficult for me to describe specifics let alone use the poetry that typically accompanies these type of tonal improvements. 

I'll say this -- *much* quieter and lower noise floor.  Totally worth it.  

I did the upgrades over several years:
+ Tone arm rewire, RCA jacks, cotton in tonearm for stabilization 
+ DC-1200 for voltage regulation (prep for outboard power supply), TD-1200 tone arm dampening, Isonoe feet
+ SX-1200 Strobe, outboard PS.    

Overall I think the tonearm wire was probably best bang for buck and most impactful to sound quality.  It was also the biggest PITA...  but I'd do it all again.    

If I do move on from the 1200, I'd probably look for a platform that starts at $2k-$3k.  I'm not planning on doing anything atm - the 1200G / 1200GR looks interesting - so maybe in the future.  But at least for now,  I'm 100% satisfied with the whole experience of DIY style upgrades to this deck.  Great experience, and totally worth it.