Technics SL1800 MK 2

[Paul Barker]

Result, there was a cartridge on the Technics but in the shop it didnt work on one channel. Its an ortofon F15. I had a look at it and thought the wiring was wrong. Put that back correct and it sound’s sublime. This old Ortofon cartridges are special. So back in heaven on the top floor again. Ive also got a bid on a G800 cartridge. Patience is a virtue. About four days away.

All these lovely sounding mm cartridges are pleasuring me so much Im not in a hurry to go back to MC. Also vry glad the G 800 was the fault for all the scating across the recod, and not the fact I had amateurly fiddled with the Technics arm. At least you cant harm the technics arm being a cluts thinking undoing the screw will wreck it. Obvs I put the screw back. It doesnt free up height adjust there is no height adjust. Wally. Live and learn. Its a beautiful sounding deck I would say better than my 301. I recall on that day all the Technics held their ground against the 401’s. I think my 301 sounded better than all the 401’s Ive heard, but in fairness I prefer this Technics.

Also took home from my mates 2nd Hand shop to try Castle Warwick’s. I pricked my ear’s up when a review a guy said they were better than his spenders. A guy came here wind spendors which all those here that day enjoyed.

Now I certainly liked the b&w’s but I was gobsmacked how much better than those the Castle Warwicks were. I went back to his shop with the £90 he wanted for them quick. shocking good. Castle know what they are doing.

Ive got beautiful sounds everywhere at home now.

You never know unless you have a dealer that lets you take things home to try. Word to the wise, always try things at home before buying.

[Paul Barker]

On the top floor I have my SE el38 on the pro speakers on vinyl. Nothing beets that level. But when I’ve converted Mo’s amp to triode at with it will be about the same power output as my se el38. The neauty is finding the triode curves for the voltage amp. i think that is the best upgrade for the kel84. Get some speakers happy with 5 watts. These castles are 90 db and I think thats efficient enough for a quality 5 watt valve amp.

My next build is going to be 300b direct reactance drive on two mono-blocks with two separate power supplies. That ought to sound well.

After that I want to use my phase splitting transformers with two stages se before the transformer split. I think that should sound great. Im not a member of the Linn Olson fan club. I cant think of anything worse than banning 2nd and encouraging 3rd at every level of an amp.

[Ant]

I did really like your 301 paul, it does a certain something, with the audiomods arm on it in that plinth i made, it sounded really well.
Ive had so many dds over the years and they do something else.

I havent got any music at the moment, have all that kit and nowhere to put it...its doing my head in. i was looking at some fairly large standmounts i quite like the look of mission zx2s. Bit dear though

[Paul Barker]

I bought a long arm to use on it the length of the long sme and the spu arm. So I shall set it up with that and put my spu on it. But I’n not yet ready for that level of left hand motor control Anth. The dd doesn’t require any such fine control in my left hand. It is improving though, Im now managing to mount carts and faf around with the wiring of the carts. But the long arm is a bit of a faf to get started with, though a lot sooner achieved than setting up the Mayware again. If my left hand kept still, maybe, but the harder the task it violently shakes like someone with Parkinsons. But the family inherited thing hat caused the stroke is in the cerebelum similar symptoms to people born with cerebral palsy. But in my case it is still possible to recover. Im now driving and that is going very well. So next meet up I can come, if we ever go to Owston again.

Or smaller one at Hull at Steve’s?

[Paul Barker]

Its 12”

[shane]

I rather like North Hill Audio. He’s doing a cheap and cheerful 3D printed turntable that’s a wonderful bit of lateral thinking. Doesn’t have to be bright green!

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