SP10 Mk II vs Mk III

Rnadelman,
The SH-10B3 is the standard obsidian plinth for the SP-10Mk2, and it also works on the SP-10Mk3. The SH-10EA is the standard power supply for the SP-10Mk2. The power supply for the SP-10Mk3 is a different beast. The two are not interchangeable. Theoretically, the various plinths (SH-10B3, SH-10B5, and SH-10B7) are interchangeable across the SP01-Mk2, SP-10Mk2A, and SP-10Mk3.

Other than that, I recommend you read Albertporter's system thread regarding the SP-10Mk3 Project. There is a lot of useful info there.

FWIW, I have had a DP75M have a cap problem, causing it to spin fast, and my Exclusive P3 I bought with a problem in what the tech calls the "torque attenuation circuit" (a control circuit, where something went out of whack and caused the table to spin up immediately to 300rpm or something similar, and then start going higher). I knew that could be fixed so got mine cheap-ish.

I know of many top DD TTs which have had this problem, and I can get my hands on any number of used DD tables (including lots of Denons) with the attributes of 'not working.' They're relatively cheap...

As for the auto analogy... If I bought a car from 1982 which was NOS (let's imagine it had spent 27 years in a dealer's back room, getting the engine turned over once a week), before I tried to drive it anywhere, I'd want to make sure the parts with naturally deteriorating materials (i.e. rubber parts such as hoses, belts, bushings, etc) were OK, and I would absolutely count on having to replace the tires and align the wheels.

Hiho,
I am far from an expert on SP10s' problems. I have never had a problem with any of mine whatsoever. Either several years ago when I tried my first, or since then. Albert is probably your best bet as he has direct experience.

As for the DP-75, the DP-75 came after the DP-80, which was launched in 1976, which would have put the DP75 lanch into the very late 70s, or early 1980s. I have not had a speed problem with the one I have used. In fact I find it very speed stable - I thought it had to do with the bi-directional servo technology they had (or that they borrowed from Victor). I find it needs to be on an isolation platform, which tames the 'jitter' I hear. The resident specialist on DP75s/DP80s is probably Rauliruegas. Lewm may also be able to help you - I am sure he learned a fair bit about his when it was redone.

A Technics table gone rogue...

John P,

Thanks for a well-written description of the comparison. Can you tell what you (or others) think is responsible for the difference between the SP-10MkIII's substantially better sound when compared with the modified SP-10MkII?

Was the Mk3 modified as well? What was modified? Were the plinths the same or somewhat/substantially different?

Rich,
The stock mat for the Mk3 is ~540g. The SAEC SS300 is ~850g. I don't have a Mk2 mat handy.