mikechang

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
3 Months to 1 year

Visitors rate this review
5.00 of 5, 2.00 votes

Price Paid:  $1050.00 from Audio Shop

Summary:
I was very lucky in find out a SL-1000mk2 in pristine condition, with EPA-100 arm , obsidian base and remote also!! Compared to all other products I´ve ever listened to, this one is for sure the better build. Impressive torque. It´s a rock. Beautiful Turntable but most important is that it sounds terrific, bass drum and transients are stupendous. Very musical with Sumiko cart.

Strengths:
Music dynamics. Bullet proof constructed

Weaknesses:
after seven months of intensive use I can´t find any

Similar Products Used:
Linn Sondek, Sumiko Project, Thorens 124

Price Paid:  $50.00 from Private

Summary:
Traded this turntable (in original SL1000 version )for a good bottle of wine, the previous owner had no way of fixing the speed fluctuations it had. Tried to repair, even bought a 2nd unit, finally the 1$ 78RPM Led was the cause. Now there's just music and the pride that comes with owning an SP10 or SL1000, this thing is built to last a lifetime, sound with Denon mc cart is Superb....... The stories about this TT are true, it's an amazing piece af craftmanship. If yo can get your hands on one buy it !

Strengths:
Absolutely neutral sound, controlled and very tight, like an analog cd player.... Immense torque, inherent clear and controlled sound, this adds to the "live " sensation of the sound i.m.h.o.

Weaknesses:
Should this ever break down it's almost impossible to repair.(parts go for insane prizes on E-Bay)

Similar Products Used:
Denon DP2000, Denon DP80, Technics SP15, Transrotor Hydraulic Reference, Dual 1229, Technics SL1200 MK1+2

Price Paid:  $250.00 from Ebay

Summary:
This is the component that took my stereo system over the top. I had been building a system over the last several years and though I was reasonably happy with the system as it developed, it was the SP10 with an EPA 100 arm and a Grado Statement Sonata cartridge that brought things to a new level. I built a cabinet for the turntable that, combined with a 1 1/2' thick lexan plinth and some lead ingots, uses mass ( well over 100 lbs. total ) to dampen unwanted resonance and stray vibrations from feeding back into the turntable. It is dead quiet. The SP10 is built like a tank and has massive torque for a turntable. I see no reason to ever trade this for a belt drive model no matter what its pedigree might be. You can find many turntables that are far more pleasing to the eye than the SP10 and you can spend a ton more money on a turntable but you will be hard pressed to surpass it's performance. Other components in my system; Cary amps Audible Illusions L1 preamp Marchant crossover North Creek Rhythm Speakers

Strengths:
massive outboard power supply built for the long run starts & stops in a fraction of a second (literally) huge torque silky smooth bearings

Weaknesses:
they do not produce them anymore so parts may be hard to come by

Similar Products Used:
several consumer grade tables

Price Paid:  $750.00 from Springair in Germany

Summary:
Bought an SP10-MKII new in box. Some small problems, though, with LED´s not burning and two screws touching the platter. I shortened the screws and built in the SP10 in a wooden base on three springs. The turntable now is suspended at a few Hz. and I can play as loud as I want, never heard any feedback at all. This player caused some sonic disaster in my system. Now I realise how UN-dynamic my other players are. The system became too analytic, but that is caused by my Tannoy Dual Concentric speakers on a Treshold amp, not by the SP10. I use it with a new Ortofon arm and AT-OC9 cartridge. Sounds very detailed. Only two priciples are right, either a belt drive with a very high mass (>10kg) platter, or a direct drive with such a strong moter like the SP10. You can brush the record while playing it, you wont even hear that. The platter is screwed to the motor, why nobody else ever thought of this good idea?

Strengths:
extremely dynamic and detailed sound, dead quite, quick start and stop is really handy! About neutrality I don´t know, because my speakers aren´t that neutral.

Weaknesses:
aluminum wears out easily unit doesn´t leave you too much space to mount an arm

Similar Products Used:
Sony TTi4000, Thorens TD 160, I also have a Garrard 401

Price Paid:  $475.00 from Private owner

Summary:
This table has to be the bargain of the century on the
used market. I bought mine about 5 years ago, on the
recommendation of a friend who has owned a vast
assortment of tables including Linn LP-12, Goldmund,
Thorens, and many others. This table is built to
over-engineered standards, unmatchable torque, speed stable,
no rumble. Just about everything you'd ask for in a quality
table. Bass is superb, music just flows. I'm using it
with a Fidelity Research FR-64 and a new Denon DL-103D
cartridge. Forget the high-priced spread.....go for
the real thing! Now....back to my music......

Strengths:
High torque, no rumble, very speed stable, indestructable
build

Weaknesses:
Can't find any

Similar Products Used:
Sony 2251, Thorens TD-124, Denon DP-60L, Rek-o-cut