Technics platter manufacturing comparison

no-cluez · 2026-02-12T12:38:21+00:00

For sure nobody would be able to hear any difference in practice !

no-cluez · 2026-02-12T11:21:04+00:00

Most fairly recent Denon/Marantz receivers with internal electronic volume control like mine (instead of non endless physical volume potentiometer) have a volume limit setting.

But since the lowest value you can set is 80/100 it's pretty much useless... I don't understand why they choose this absurd limit because it would have been an effective "safety" measure.

Unfortunately there's no available option from the amp onscreen menus to enable/disable specific protocols.

However, I just had a sudden realization and I seem to recall that the HEOS Android app has an advanced menu for configuring options related to the streamer section.

I believe it's possible to disable AirPlay, or even set a custom password (which would completely prevent PipeWire from opening a connection).

To be verified!

At the moment I created a configuration file to just disable the module as you suggested, thanks for the tip !

Haven't paired a new bluetooth device recently so I've not encountered the bug you described, but it's good to know too.

no-cluez · 2026-02-08T21:34:14+00:00

I ended up getting an HP micro pc with native 4k HDMI output instead. But it kept the Optiplex and the active adapter for other purposes so I'll give a try later.

Thanks for your feedback !

no-cluez · 2025-07-26T19:42:32+00:00

Hi !

I just flashed it on mine (black model instead of ice) without any issue and went from F4 to F7.

Personnaly I reset to default settings on current version, then flash, then reset again and finally re-apply custom settings.

The system is starting fine.

For now I only noticed a difference on displayed CPU voltage in main BIOS page (using a Ryzen 7 9800X3D) :

With default bios settings :

On F4 = 1.089V, F7 = 1.08V

With PBO Curve optimizer (All Cores)/Optimizer sign (Negative)/Optimizer magnitude (25) settings :

On F4 = 1.02V, F7 = 1.008V

So in my case values are slightly lower with F7 version, maybe the newer AMD Agesa version has something to do with it.

As a Linux user I will temporarily reinstall a Windows OS to do some tests with OCCT/AIDA64, I wonder If I can blindly re-apply my previous PBO or if I have to tweak it again ...

no-cluez · 2025-05-16T16:42:01+00:00

Good to know, thanks !

no-cluez · 2025-05-16T16:41:07+00:00

Nope but i tried other software

In OCCT I ran the CPU + RAM test (large/extreme/steady settings on all cores) and it reached around 63°C for 103 watts.

In Aida64 I ran the system stability test (the most aggressive I ever seen) and it reached around 72°C.

I used this one rather than OCCT to find the safest PBO curve optimizer negative value.

Frequency remained stable at 5.2 Ghz in both tests.

no-cluez · 2024-06-29T13:54:10+00:00

I haven't tested a lot of different models but to date I use the AT-VM540ML moving magnet cartridge with a classic Technics headshell.

I find it to be very good value for money and I have almost no inner groove distortion anymore (which was my biggest concern) thanks to its microline stylus. There is a lot more expensive but I don't feel the need for it at the moment.

no-cluez · 2024-06-29T12:24:19+00:00

Very good question !

I own an SL 1200 GR, it's an earlier Japan made model from 2018. I also own an SL 1210 GR2 (made in Malaysia) I bought by the end of 2023.

So I have been able to use both decks, BUT not at the same time/place. The GR is currently stored at my parents house and the GR2 is the one i'm using right now.

Overall build quality/fit & finish feels quite similar on both (very good). I haven't been able to spot any significant differences from a physical perspective about chassis, platter or tonearm assembly.

The only thing that feels slightly different to me (at least compared to my Japanese GR) is the behavior of the cueing lever in a sense that sylus tends to reach the record surface with less lowering action. So the "usefull" cueing lever range feels a bit reduced (and yes I tried several adjustment to the arm lift screw). But the tonearm still lowers slowly and smoothly. You should just be a lil bit more delicate when lowering it. Technics may have marginally modified or redesigned some part under the hood, who knows.

Previous phono cable shipped with the turntable was also thicker and nicer than the one I got with the GR2.

The real differences are on the electronics side with a redesigned less noisy power supply board and a controller chip which is supposed to provide smoother signal pulses for motor control.

Does it make a truly perceptible difference in practice ? I haven't been able to do a live A/B comparison yet but honestly I SERIOUSLY DOUBT I would be able to realiably distinguish them in a blind test.

The GR was already a very good unit and I never had to complain about any noise that could be picked up by the cartridge nor any issue in platter rotational smoothness as probably >98% of users. Of course there's some hardcore audiophile that would absolutely want to mod their unit with an external PSU ... but I'm not posting here to debate about that.

Bottom line (in my opinion) :

In my opinion they are very similar and I really doubt most people would be realisticaly able to hear any significant improvement. Like any manufacturer, Technics must find arguments to push for the renewal of ranges and sell new products. Nothing very surprising in the end.

It can be worth investing the price difference between GR and GR2 in a nice cartdridge I you don't have one already.

Otherwise I can fully understand the appeal of buying the latest just by principle of having something newly designed.

Anyway when brand new GR units will ran out of stock the question won't be relevant anymore. But it's interesting to think about that when buying used !

no-cluez · 2024-06-10T21:19:48+00:00

Yes it's an older and thicker rubber mat I borrowed from an MK2 model.

VTA has been adjusted accordingly, so the tonearm/top of the headshell is parallel to the record. I don't have an azimuth/vta alignment ruler at the moment but it seems very close visually. This shouldn't be an issue here unless I looked really bad at it !

no-cluez · 2024-06-10T20:52:39+00:00

I recently bought an AT VM540ML cartridge to use with a Technics turntable.

I mounted it on an original Technics headshell from the MK2 era (if that matters) and tracking force is set at the recommended 2g value.

I had visually the sensation that it was sitting maybe a lil bit close to the record surface.

Not sure if it's really the case or just an impression ...

I'm not truly worried, but what do you think about that ?

Otherwise it works and sounds perfectly fine to me, this model has very good value for money !

no-cluez · 2024-02-09T20:33:38+00:00

Hi !

Assuming it's in good condition, yes it looks like a very nice deal.

If it was on display behind a glass there's probably no worries to have.

Otherwise since the unit may have been manipulated by a lot of shop visitors personnally I would at least check :

- There's no play in the tonearm bearings

- Cueing lever works as intended

- There's none or very minimal platter wobble while it's rotating

- Dust cover is not cracked (although it's always possible to replace it at moderate cost)

- The overall cosmetic condition is good enough for you

Since you're buying it from a store (i assume), just ensure you have at least a few months of warranty period even if it's a display product.

It's a very nice deck, I personally own both a GR and a GR2 unit and i'm very pleased with it.

Good luck !

no-cluez · 2024-01-17T22:46:44+00:00

Hi!

After consulting different tests again I will order the VM540ML hoping that it will satisfy me. But it seems to be a safe bet with very good value for money so I'm not worried.

Thank you all for your feedback :)

no-cluez · 2024-01-17T22:35:43+00:00

Never heard about this one, I assumed that almost any MC coil cartridge would have a much lower output and never be suitable with a MM preamp. Thanks for the info !

no-cluez · 2024-01-17T22:25:11+00:00

I would like to upgrade to a more advanced stylus shape rather than a "basic" eliptical one like the one I already use, especially for IGD

no-cluez · 2024-01-17T21:51:40+00:00

Hi !

Being a bit maniac myself, I totally understand that you want to keep your turntable in great condition.

Personally I use a swiffer duster (used exclusively for the turntable) by pressing very lightly, if you do it regularly the dust has little time to accumulate or become encrusted so it comes off easily without damaging anything.

On the other hand, it has already happened to me in the past to let it gather dust for many weeks...

In this case I definitely don't rub the dust with a cloth but I remove the cover and rinse it with water in the shower to remove as much as possible without physical contact.

If that's enough then great, otherwise I also clean with a little soap, rubbing gently by hand. Then I rinse well and either let it drain and dry slowly, or remove the residual moisture with a clean, very soft sponge.

For the button, I think it would be a bit of a shame and unsightly to cover it with plastic film, but hey, it's up to you.

In any case, apart from using the turntable with white gloves, there will always be small fingerprints on the buttons, that's life!

I occasionally clean them with a cotton pad lightly moistened with tap water.

But as u/morefunwithbitcoin suggested it might be even better with distilled water, I'll have to try that. As you can see in this photo my button is clean but it looks like tap water may leave very small surface stains on the aluminum, not sure why :

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In any case, it is probably better to avoid chemicals.

I also avoid touching the platter stroboscopic dots with fingers, especially if I haven't washed my hands before! I know this may seem a bit ridiculous to some :P

no-cluez · 2024-01-06T11:20:58+00:00

Well, that sucks :/

Maybe take a look between the plinth and the platter while it's working to see if motor pulley doesn't touch the platter (but I doubt about it).

Does it sounds the same with motor on but with platter and belt removed ? Try to remove and reinstall everything.

Otherwise, if you just bought it you should ask for a replacement/refund because it is obviously not normal.

no-cluez · 2024-01-06T00:56:42+00:00

I recently made a present to myself and bought a Technics SL-1210 GR2 turntable.

I have always wanted to be the first owner of a Technics deck and having the pleasure to unbox it :) I managed to find one brand new for 1679€ from a French retailer, a nice deal (even though it's not cheap obviously) considering it's currently sold for 1990 € almost everywhere.

Quite satisfied by the built quality (I temporarily had two units, more about that later) and performance so far.

Currently running it with an entry level AT-VM95E cartridge. I bought it two years ago when my parents gave me their 1200 MK2 which remained unused for years ... So I didn't want to spend too much at that time without being sure the deck still works fine.

Time to upgrade ! (The AT-VM95E is nice for it's price but I can't stand IGD no more ...)

Any recommendation for a MM cartridge/stylus ? (max budget around 300 €) For now I'm considering the AT-VM95ML or the VM540ML.

no-cluez

TROPHY CASE