Technics SL 1210GR2 Turntable

[Bob from Florida]

The Hanpin motor:

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Does this motor present an issue in real world applications?

 

[computer-audiophile]

Does this motor present an issue in real world applications?

I don't know exactly what real world applications are.
All I want is a very good turntable.

There are just different demands. I used to have some turntables with these Hanpin motors and I played around with them and tuned them to be more quiet etc. The new Technics motors are measurably better. I've seen measurement graphs somewhere, but I don't know where they are.

Another advance in these new Technics designs are the switching power supplies, which no longer introduce mechanical hum into the deck and also don't introduce a stray magnetic field into sensitive cartridges like the conventional transformers do.

 

[Bob from Florida]

I don't know exactly what real world applications are.
All I want is a very good turntable.

There are just different demands. I used to have some turntables with these Hanpin motors and I played around with them and tuned them to be more quiet etc. The new Technics motors are measurably better. I've seen measurement graphs somewhere, but I don't know where they are.

Another advance in these new Technics designs are the switching power supplies, which no longer introduce mechanical hum into the deck and also don't introduce a stray magnetic field into sensitive cartridges like the conventional transformers do.

Real world means - at least to me - good enough not to notice significant improvement. The tonearm on the Denon appears to be better than the Technics. The VTA adjustment has greater range on the Denon and I am a fan of magnetic ant skate. On the other hand the 100C might be the best “bargain” with the not DJ appearance at the same price as the MK7.

 

[Bob from Florida]

My Clearaudio Performance DC specs +- .05% speed with no others specs given. The Denon specs +-.5% speed with <.06 wow and flutter and >70 db rumble. Technics specs .025% wow and flutter and 78db a-weighted rumble. Some organization needs to verify some of these claims to have some validation.

 

[restorer-john]

The Denon motor looks like the old Technics and Hanpin motors. The new Technics motors are different, ironless, which is supposed to reduce cogging.

Doesn't just look like the old Technics, it's a straight up copy.

The 'new' Technics motors are really no different in construction and design to their old cheaper (1980s) slimline QL DD motors. Sure, the drive circuitry is new, but that's all.

 

[restorer-john]

Another advance in these new Technics designs are the switching power supplies, which no longer introduce mechanical hum into the deck and also don't introduce a stray magnetic field into sensitive cartridges like the conventional transformers do.

That's very true. A significant improvement. But then again, if it was a problem, anyone could remove and remotely mount the conventional power supply and run an umbilical.

 

[thewas]

The most important technical data I always look for in a turntable is the S/N ratio besides wow & flutter. In my opinion, it should be at least 70 dB. The Denon only just achieves this and is on the level of the better models based on the Hanpin OEM modular system. The Technics has 78 dB.

This, plus I am not a fan of badge engineering, which is the reason I never bought a car from the VW group,

 

[thewas]

I wish Technics would dispense with the DJ table appearance. The Denon looks so much cleaner.

Personally I find the Technics with its aluminium look casing matching much better my classic audio electronics with their alu look fronts, turntables with wood look looked always not matching to the other stereo system components to me.

 

[G|force]

A Technics will never be a wrong choice..

In 1978 my father purchased one SA-500 receiver from 'FedRrated' in Hollywood CA.
He could have picked up an SA-700 or SA-1000 but he got the "55wpc" one.
Dad made a wrong Technics choice! (deceased 18 yrs)

 

[ban25]

Looks to be a match 1 for 1...

 

[Chrispy]

While I suppose the price has remained somewhat equivalent adjusted for the time difference/inflation since I got my SL1200mk2, I probably wouldn't consider a new one or vinyl at all at this stage but no need as the old tt and vinyl I still have....

 

[computer-audiophile]

The 'new' Technics motors are really no different in construction and design to their old cheaper (1980s) slimline QL DD motors.

That's right, I had mentioned it on another thread that they had ironless motors before. Still, the latest ones are not exactly the same, it seems to me.

 

[computer-audiophile]

That's very true. A significant improvement. But then again, if it was a problem, anyone could remove and remotely mount the conventional power supply and run an umbilical.

Yes, that was, for example, one of the measures to improve a previous Hanpin DD I once had. I placed the transformer in an external box.

 

[computer-audiophile]

My Clearaudio Performance DC specs +- .05% speed with no others specs given. The Denon specs +-.5% speed with <.06 wow and flutter and >70 db rumble. Technics specs .025% wow and flutter and 78db a-weighted rumble. Some organization needs to verify some of these claims to have some validation.

If you are interested, you should be able to find a lot of tests and data on the web, as these record players are among the most popular.

I was also able to compare it by ear, as I was able to compare one of their highest grade Hanpins with the Technics SL-1200GR. I had both side by side. When I turned up the volume control, the noise floor of the Technics was lower.

Just for fun, I once had studied the dj-tables of this class very intensively and bought several for this purpose and examined them. In a German forum there is an endless thread by me about it, but it is long forgotten and I have quit this forum.

 

[computer-audiophile]

The tonearm on the Denon appears to be better than the Technics.

Ok, that's probably more a matter of taste, I think.

To a certain extent, I can understand if you don't like the same old look of these DJ tables and tone arms and clones. It looks like mass-produced goods and can bore you. That's why there are always new Hanpins with a different look and finish appearing on the market, all of which use the same components modular system with slight variations. In the advertising it is then sometimes said: "Model x has been developed from scratch". LOL

I have to leave now because I'm going to a concert. Maybe I'll write something more about these turntables later.

 

[GXAlan]

I get the idea of artisan turntables like mechanical watches, but by the measurements wouldn’t a Sony PS-X555 ES and PS-X800 pretty much beat anything out there today short of going to the extremes?

I imagine if the put those electronics in the chassis of something like the Yamaha GT-5000, it would be reliable and good.

 

[computer-audiophile]

I get the idea of artisan turntables like mechanical watches, but by the measurements wouldn’t a Sony PS-X555 ES and PS-X800 pretty much beat anything out there today short of going to the extremes?

I imagine if the put those electronics in the chassis of something like the Yamaha GT-5000, it would be reliable and good.

They are excellent. The only difference is that they are old and can therefore cause problems. The Technics can be bought new with a guarantee. That's what I did.
Today I don't own any real vintage turntables. I used to have many of them.

 

[Bob from Florida]

Ok, that's probably more a matter of taste, I think.

To a certain extent, I can understand if you don't like the same old look of these DJ tables and tone arms and clones. It looks like mass-produced goods and can bore you. That's why there are always new Hanpins with a different look and finish appearing on the market, all of which use the same components modular system with slight variations. In the advertising it is then sometimes said: "Model x has been developed from scratch". LOL

I have to leave now because I'm going to a concert. Maybe I'll write something more about these turntables later.

The more I look at the Denon the more I like it. The cartridge mass range is also greater than the Technics. I found a tonearm that will fit my Clearaudio - Sorane 1.2 @ $2400 with the detachable headshell and interesting design features. The price of the arm versus a whole table is interesting to say the least!

SA1-2

Sorane SA1-2 Tonearm NOTES: The Sorane SA1-2 is the same product as the Abis SA1-2. The specifications and manufacturer are the same. As The Abis brand name was changed to Sorane in 2017 summe…

mockingbirddistribution.com

 

[computer-audiophile]

I found a tonearm that will fit my Clearaudio - Sorane 1.2 @ $2400 with the detachable headshell and interesting design features. ...

If I only look at the tonearms, the Schick 12" tonearm is still my favourite among the tonearms I used to have. Interestingly, turntables with Schick tonearms once came out on top in a large-scale shootout involving some well-known top turntables.

But anyway, today I have a very ordinary Technics, no longer an extravagance, but hard to really beat significantly with 78 dB S/N and the new motor. It's probably my last record player. The Technics tonearm is ok for me. I have no trackabilty or obvious resonance problems with it.

 

[DSJR]

Back to motors. The 'new' Technics one looks to be a rethink on the early 70's Pabst make motors that Dual used in their 700 series decks. here's the one as used in my 701 - Never any cogging or overshoot in this one, which was used by Revox too I believe as well. The main bearing thrust pad on mine is totally unmarked and looks to be a black glass type substance with copious grease to lubricate it.