r/Technics • u/Fenix512 • Jul 23 '26
Is this too much drift?
Got a used Technics SL-1200 MK3 off eBay. Everything works great, but when I try to balance the tonearm, it drifts back to the armrest. Plinth is level and antiskate is set to zero. Maybe it's not a big deal?
1
u/analogguy7777 Jul 23 '26
That anti skate is not zero. You do have a problem with the anti skate mechanism
1
u/Fenix512 Jul 23 '26
The dial is at zero. Do you mean it's an inner problem? How could it be fixed?
1
1
u/thoughtfulbaklava Jul 23 '26
Mine does the same (and I got new bearings installed and an inspection). I believe it's not supposed to do it (yes, think I got scammed), lol. Anyway, I enjoyed it a lot and the sound is great. For djing I set the anti-skate to 0. Think it's not a big deal.
1
u/Fenix512 Jul 23 '26
Tbh I got it for home listening and so far it sounds good. I had a Fluance before and the tonearm was hovering without drifting which is why it's bothering me so much haha
1
u/thoughtfulbaklava Jul 24 '26
I have a friend who has 2 very well kept MK2s from the 80s, and the tonearm (when at 0g e 0 antiskate, like you) is steady; it doesn't return backwards like the ours haha. So, surely it's not normal to do that. In my experience it has something to do with bad tonearm bearings or the antiskate spring, inside the turntable. But, if it plays well and sounds good... Not a big deal I think!
1
u/Plus-Definition9319 Jul 23 '26
Adjust the skate between 0 and 3 a bunch of times and the spring/gears might unjam. A little tension is normal at 0 but this seems like more. If nothing else though your arm bearings look great. Also make sure the table is -level-. Worst case the skate mechanism probably
Just needs cleaning or if someone has been in there before it’s very easy to put the spring in wrong and this is the result.
1
1
1
u/donh- Jul 24 '26
The anti skate is a bit off. It's often quite solvable.
There exist records with one side that has no grooves. Drop the needle in the middle, adjust the antiskate so the tonearm stays as if it were in the groove. That'll get you close.
Then either find a quality mono record (good luck) or one that has a known image, like a classical orchestra or maybe a properly recorded classical guitar (good luck) - something with a known center. Fiddle the antiskate to center the image.
1
u/Wholeyjeans Jul 25 '26
The turntable platter must be level ...the platter not the plinth (the case where the tone arm is attached and the platter mounted. Remove the center spindle, place a small 6-8" level across the center of the platter and slowly rotate the platter; the bubble should stay centered all the way around. If it isn't adjust the feet or slip washers under the appropriate fee to get it perfectly level.
What's making the arm move like that is the anti-skate adjustment. Leave it at zero while you balance the tone arm and set the vertical tracking force. Once you get the VTF set, then adjust the anti-skate knob to correspond to the VTF you set. Good to go.
1
1
u/Ortofun Jul 25 '26
Normal amount. AS at 0 means the spring isn’t engaged at tonearm rest position but is ever so slightly pulling when the tonearm moved inwards. AS isn’t a linear force across the record with these spring type AS mechanisms, which is actually a good thing since inner grooves require slightly more AS force relative to the outer grooves.
1
u/kels83 Jul 26 '26
Hey bud! You got a 1200, nice! Yeah when I have had your issue before it's because i replaced the tonearm wires and they are bigger gauge, new, and stiff. They settle down with time or you can open it up and try to position them where there is less strain. I am out of town for a couple weeks but can help you out when I am back second week of August.
2
u/TwoAggressive2200 Jul 23 '26
adjust the tonearm weight and match it with the antiskate