Which turntable?
Printed From: Graham Slee Hifi System Components
Category: Turntable Audio
Forum Name: High Fidelity Turntable User
Forum Description: Technical Q&A, hints and tips
URL: https://www.hifisystemcomponents.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=4578
Printed Date: 27 Mar 2026 at 2:30am
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 12.01 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Which turntable?
Posted By: ICL1P
Subject: Which turntable?
Date Posted: 22 Sep 2018 at 3:39pm
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Triggered in part by other current threads, I thought I’d ask for opinions. You can take your time; I don’t do anything in a hurry. Current TTs are an Inspire modified Manticore Mantra and and a Technics SL-7 linear tracker. For some years, a lot longer than Bob’s had his PTP Solid12, I’ve been lusting after a PTP Solid9 (not sure about tonearm; maybe Audiomods, but fancy Origin Live), but I’m now liking what I hear about the (ugly) Technics SL 1200G. It would be cheaper, has a hinged lid and all in all would be a simpler purchase. So, what else, if anything, should I consider? I won’t buy Rega or Project and don’t want a second suspended chassis deck. If this turns into a general TT discussion thread without relevance to this original question, it’s fine by me. It should be interesting anyway. ------------- Ifor ===== Reflex M & ACCESSION M, CuSat50, Majestic DAC, a Proprius pair. |
Replies:
Posted By: RichW
Date Posted: 22 Sep 2018 at 3:59pm
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The Roksan Xerxes 20+ is a great deck, although it is 'suspended' in a way with rubber-like isolators. Once setup it hardly needs any messing about with. Not the deepest bass but 'tuneful'. Must admit though the SL1200G would be top of the demo list  .(The SRM Arezzo is good too that needs no fiddling with  .)------------- Majestic/Enigma, Accession MM & MC. |
Posted By: Chris Firth
Date Posted: 22 Sep 2018 at 4:09pm
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I'd have a Technics SL1200G in a heartbeat. The arm has one of the best manifestations of VTA adjustment ever devised. The milled from solid aluminium top plate is beautifully executed. The platter is of composite construction to quell bell node ringing. The entire thing is a ground up new design, with a nod to the past with the aesthetics. https://www.technics.com/uk/products/grand-class/direct-drive-turntable-system-sl-1200g.html" rel="nofollow - https://www.technics.com/uk/products/grand-class/direct-drive-turntable-system-sl-1200g.html |
Posted By: tg [RIP]
Date Posted: 22 Sep 2018 at 8:28pm
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I was pretty keen on the Dr Feickert Woodpecker before I invested in something rather more expensive. IIRC Geoff Husband was fairly impressed with it when he reviewed it for https://www.tnt-audio.com/sorgenti/feickert_woodpecker_e.html" rel="nofollow - TNT-audio (his review of the Era Gold V started me as a customer of GSP) ------------- Tony G |
Posted By: Cyreg
Date Posted: 22 Sep 2018 at 8:40pm
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Hello Ifor, I did use Rega players for 25 years until 6 years ago, when I bought a Michell TecnoDec (never back!) It has no suspension and it uses the better parts of a Michell Gyrodec: the DC motor/PSU (no hum with volume wide open), the Delrin platter and the Inverted mainbearing It also has a Rega RB250/TecnoWeight and the standard Michell clamp extra I am using it very frequently with a Nagoka MP110 (already on second stylus) and shortly with the GramAmp2 Communicator/PSU1 which sounds very good all together IMO Good luck Han ------------- TecnoDec/RB250/MP110>GramAmp2C/PSU1; Cyrus CD8SE; > Exposure 3010S2D INT > Harbeth C7ES-3 '35th Anniversary' cabling: IC 2x DNM V3; LScable Exposure DMF-two; Furu TP60 + MWaY and BlackCable pc's |
Posted By: Drewan77
Date Posted: 22 Sep 2018 at 10:45pm
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I recall Ifor that your brother lived in or near Chester & if that is still the case you are more than welcome to drop by some time and have a listen to the 1200G via Reflex or Accession. They are similar sounding & it was only the fact that I had surplus cash from the selling spree that made me go for the more expensive one. Both have the most satisfying bass, pitch stability and imaging I have heard from a turntable & the G also produces a slightly more holographic soundstage but I doubt anyone would notice much difference unless listening side-by-side. The magnesium armtube is reputed to have a better resonance performance although whether this is noticeable in listening, I'm not sure. It certainly performs & tracks just as well as an Audiomods V used on another table - in fact because there is fractional play when tightening headshells, slight azimuth adjustment is possible & far easier than shimming the Audiomods. Bias can be adjusted on-the-fly and so can VTA if you are very careful (I guess all this is common to older 1200/1210s too) Although we now spend months at a time with family overseas, when I'm home this gets a great deal of use and I still cannot find fault - it's the most satisfying turntable I have heard and very versatile in use (changing carts including VTA, VTF, bias etc takes literally couple of minutes). I have owned decks with suspended plinths which require periodical adjustment but these days I just want to play music & this is certainly a superbly engineered, fit & forget product which should easily outlast me. ------------- Older than I once was, younger than I'll be ............................. Andrew |
Posted By: ICL1P
Date Posted: 23 Sep 2018 at 10:06am
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Thanks to all of you so far. Chris, thanks for your thoughts; interesting. Rich, I’ve never considered the Xerxes. It would be considerably more expensive, but if it grabs me it’s not necessarily a deal breaker. Tony, the Feickert Woodpecker is one I’ve heard good things about and I enjoyed reading Geoff Husband’s review. Again it would be a step up in price and so far as I can see there isn’t currently a UK distributor. It appeals more than the Roksan. Han, I know they’re very good, but the Michell just doesn’t appeal to me. Sorry! Andrew, thanks for the offer; I just might take you up on it sometime and drag my brother-in-law along too. ------------- Ifor ===== Reflex M & ACCESSION M, CuSat50, Majestic DAC, a Proprius pair. |
Posted By: RichW
Date Posted: 23 Sep 2018 at 1:58pm
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The current Xerxes 20+ is an expensive deck Ifor, especially as the power supply must be bought separately. It is superbly made & finished however. It had a far more 'meaty' & detailed sound than the Rega P9 it replaced - the P9 was a nice deck but sounded a little lightweight. Enjoy the search for a new deck. ------------- Majestic/Enigma, Accession MM & MC. |
Posted By: RichW
Date Posted: 24 Sep 2018 at 6:21pm
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The Rega P9's lack of any kind of in-built isolation was a problem & was the main reason for changing it. Mounted on a wall shelf about 6' from speakers it was badly affected by bass & drum vibrations at highish volumes - the arm would visibly wobble although the cartridge did manage to stay in the groove. These decks need to be sited well away from speakers if music is played loud. Some kind of isolation is desirable. ------------- Majestic/Enigma, Accession MM & MC. |
Posted By: morris_minor
Date Posted: 24 Sep 2018 at 7:26pm
I have to say that a 1200G is a very desirable turntable. If I didn't already have four direct drive TTs I might be tempted . . .  ------------- Bob Majestic DAC/pre-amp Accession MC/Enigma, Accession MM, Reflex M, Elevator EXP, Era Gold V Solo ULDE, Novo, Lautus USB and digital, Libran balanced, CuSat50 2 x Proprius + Spatia/Spatia Links |
Posted By: ICL1P
Date Posted: 24 Sep 2018 at 7:36pm
Bob, I was expecting you at least to try to keep me on the PTP track. ------------- Ifor ===== Reflex M & ACCESSION M, CuSat50, Majestic DAC, a Proprius pair. |
morris_minor wrote:Posted By: morris_minor
Date Posted: 25 Sep 2018 at 8:38am
 That's fair enough, Ifor - though I was just expressing my opinion on the Technics . . . I am still very smitten on the idler sound from the PTP, and though I'm playing my "new" Yammy parallel tracker a lot at the moment the Solid12 is the one I return to for the Rolls Royce presentation! ------------- Bob Majestic DAC/pre-amp Accession MC/Enigma, Accession MM, Reflex M, Elevator EXP, Era Gold V Solo ULDE, Novo, Lautus USB and digital, Libran balanced, CuSat50 2 x Proprius + Spatia/Spatia Links |
Posted By: ICL1P
Date Posted: 25 Sep 2018 at 4:38pm
I might have to pop by your place Bob. ------------- Ifor ===== Reflex M & ACCESSION M, CuSat50, Majestic DAC, a Proprius pair. |
Posted By: morris_minor
Date Posted: 25 Sep 2018 at 5:26pm
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You're welcome anytime Ifor! I'll PM my mobile to you . . . ------------- Bob Majestic DAC/pre-amp Accession MC/Enigma, Accession MM, Reflex M, Elevator EXP, Era Gold V Solo ULDE, Novo, Lautus USB and digital, Libran balanced, CuSat50 2 x Proprius + Spatia/Spatia Links |
Posted By: ICL1P
Date Posted: 25 Sep 2018 at 7:27pm
I have it already Bob, unless it's changed since my last visit. Thank you; I'll be in touch. ------------- Ifor ===== Reflex M & ACCESSION M, CuSat50, Majestic DAC, a Proprius pair. |