Technics SL-1200MK2 + Trans-Fi Terminator T3 Pro air bearing linear tracking tonearm

[LEVLHED]

Damn, I'm practically dying to mount a linear tracking air bearing arm on my tricked out 1200. Can you tell me what it took to mount that arm? They don't happen to have an actual drop-in plate do they? Right now I'm running an Audioquest PT-9 with a plate from the seller in Greece.

BTW, I use a Bottlehead Crack headphone amp:)

[70sgitbox]

@LEVLHED This was the easiest arm mounting/alignment I've ever done. It's dead on. The armboard is from Origin Live for mounting Origin Live/Rega arms on a 1200. However, several other armboards will work, even a DIY board. When ordering the T3 Pro arm, I simply called up Trans-Fi and told them what armboard I had. They shipped it pretty much plug-n-play. Even setting up the air supply (pump) wasn't difficult. I have since moved the T3 arm to another Technics turntable; video forthcoming ;-D

[70sgitbox]

@LEVLHED BTW: I've seen your "1200 MKE" and it's pretty dang nice!! The Audioquest PT-9 is definitely one of the better 9" arms. I would certainly choose it over some others. (I'll not name them.)

Bottlehead... yeah, I'm a fan. I expected my Bottlehead builds to sound good; but, they so completely blew away all other preamplification I had in house. I wish they offered a high powered valve power amp kit. I'm sure it would be just as good or better than offerings from Dynakit & Audio Note.

[LEVLHED]

@70sgitbox thanks! I'm quite happy w my 1200 for sure. I'm trying like heck to gather the funds for a T3pro. If I can sell my Bottlehead Eros I'll be there...right now I only have enough to settle for an MG-1, but I can't get myself to do it.

[oatstao]

I read your message and had to come to your page to see this T3 arm. That seems like (as you also mention) the best upgrade. What are the immediate improvements? I would gather inner groove distortion on the ends? Now I'm going to look at the price of such a mod. ... When I find a 3rd 1200MKII It may be due time for this mod (i use 2 1200s for DJ) . I'm currently looking for a 1800MKII for my centerpiece (nostalgia reasons) which I will run with the stock arm and possibly KAB fluid damper..

[70sgitbox]

@oatstao "Anywhere on the record" groove distortion is all but wiped out. I often use linear contact / shibata type styli. They are great at detail retrieval; but, MUST be meticulously aligned in the groove to avoid distortion. No easy task on a pivoted arm. Easy as pie on the T3 (along with proper azimuth, even without a headshell that provides such an adjustment). Azimuth, VTA on the fly & VTF can be done at the arm.

The 1800MKII is a solid machine. Nothing wrong with nostalgia, either. :-)

[GuitarSlimJunior]

Johnny Guitar Watson y'all.

[cupphouse]

this is wicked lol...

[70sgitbox]

@cupphouse You might like the next video of this with a different cart, same arm. ;-) Hopefully, we'll have it up soon.

[70sgitbox]

It's an Audio Technica VS245(LP) with an aftermarket Shibata.

[aertex1]

what cart is on the T3 Pro?