16 - 33 - 45 - 78 RPM: a Technics SL-1200 MK2 that features all four speeds!

Although present days not only mark a huge revival of vinyl records, but also a moderate revival of shellac records and as a consequence of turntables more or less apt to play them, by the end of the XX century it became impossible to purchase a new turntable featuring the 78 RPM speed. In those years it actually became difficult to purchase a new record player at all. As I have always enjoyed listening to old tunes as well as contemporary music, the long-term reliability of old record players - for which spare parts were no longer available since decades - became for me a worrying concern. In the year 2007 I finally found out that Kevin of KAB electroacoustics, New Jersey, had engineered a module that would add the 78 RPM speed to the legendary Technics SL-1200 Mk2 turntable. I felt as I had struck gold, and although the installation of the module implied removing the entire main board from the Technics and mailing it forwards and backwards overseas, with duties and so on in between, I went for it as fast as I could and never regret it.
But 16 RPM records - although to a different degree - were still an issue. Indeed they are odd and rare, but as a matter of fact don’t we usually do our outmost in order to valorise odd and rare pieces of art? I then begun to periodically write to Kevin and ask if anything was feasible in order to add also the 16 RPM speed to the Technics SL-1200. I knew he had occasionally modified few one-off turntables for libraries, however for many years nothing was available for general customers. But recently, at last, he engineered and released the clever Half Speed module, which halves all speeds available on a Technics SL-1200, thus lowering the 33 and 1/3 RPM speed down to exactly the elusive 16 and 2/3 RPM speed. This time I felt as I had struck oil: words can’t express how thrilled I was! Unlike the 78 RPM module, the new one would come with an instruction sheet, in order to let skilled customers do the job themselves. Few weeks of uncertainty were still ahead, as seemingly the two add-ons were never assembled together, and it was unclear if they were fully compatible with each other, end even if they would physically fit the space below the turntable. For these reasons, I believe that at the time this videoclip was made my unit was the only Technics SL-1200 in the world featuring all four standard speeds. The two modules proven to work absolutely fine side by side, and their installation ended with a complete success.
To receive information or purchase the 78 RPM “Broadcast Standard” and the 16 RPM “Half Speed” modules, please consult this page:
www.kabusa.com/...

[@edwincancelii2917]

This is one of my favorite videos. I hope that this turntable will be available in the U.S.A. & Canada.

[@highinfidelity72]

Hello Edwin, thank you so much for your positive comment! Unfortunately I don't think that Panasonic/Technics will ever care about 16 RPM speed, so if you want a unit that features all four speeds I suggest that in turn you contact Kevin at KAB USA and ask him to arrange a modified unit for you. If you have the skills, you can install the extra circuitry yourself. Cheers!

[@djsven68]

@highinfidelity72 Hello Marco, since yesterday, I've also been using the two modules from Kevin at KAB Electro Acoustics in my TECHNICS SL1210MK2, namely the 78RPM mode module and the Half-Speed mode module. Kevin from KAB is truly a master when it comes to Technics SL12xx.👌

[@highinfidelity72]

Hello Sven, thanks for letting me know! I wish you many years of enjoyment with your doubly modded Technics SL-1210! 😄

[@notthatyouasked6656]

I have an Audio-Technica AT-LP120-USB which is essentially the same turntable. This model has the 78 speed built in. Just as on yours, you press the 33 and 45 buttons simultaneously to shift to 78. I do wish it also incorporated the 16 speed as I have a large stack of Seeburg 1000 discs I'd like to record. I suppose I could record them at 33 and use Audacity to cut the speed in half, but sometimes I like to listen live.

[@robfriedrich2822]

You may need a finer stylus, the so called pico groove is half the size from the initial mono microgroove introduced with the 33 rpm long play and the 45 rpm single record. The stereo stylus is in between.

[@notthatyouasked6656]

@@robfriedrich2822 Technically yes, but I have played Seeburg discs with a standard 33 stylus on another turntable without issues. I've heard that doing this repeatedly risks damage to the records, but doing it once to record a disk seems to be just fine. Thanks for the feedback.

[@neilmansfield8329]

Love these good National Panasonic turntable

[@hectorchavez1807]

It's incredible how fast this turntable accelerate and reduces it's speed

[@highinfidelity72]

Hello Héctor, thanks for your comment! Indeed it has an almost unbelieavably high peak torque. I believe this is one of the reasons why - despite having been designed for high end hi-fi applications - it became so popular with deejays as well.

[@xrdakis]

Μπράβο!!! Έχει καί τις τέσσερεις αυτές ταχύτητες!!!

[@robfriedrich2822]

The 16 rpm couldn't take over, couldn't save much cost, because on one hand the record itself from cutting the master disc to pressing and package costs 10 % of the retail price, on the other hands all the cheap "20 Hits compilations" shows, that one side can also contain 35 to 40 minutes of music. Without half speed.

[@allen-rp3gm]

I bought my last 1200 from the original owner who had the KAB 78rpm mod installed along with some other mods. I've had it for almost 10 years now and only just recently started using the 78 speed having sold my old Audiotronics player and also purchased a 3mil stylus for one of my carts. I recently saw that Kevin is offering the 16rpm half speed upgrade too. I doubt I will bother with that though. I have only one 16rpm record and I can always fix the speed on such a disc on the computer.

[@highinfidelity72]

...still, it's comforting to know that such mod exists, and that you can install it anytime in the future, should you become interested in buying more 16 RPM records! Many thanks for your comment and have a nice day!

[@rohansinha2000]

I have made this modo to play 16 and 78 rpm to alter the guartz frequency.

[@highinfidelity72]

Hello Rohan, thanks for letting me know! So we have to update the count: there are now at least TWO turntables modified in this way! 😄

[@rohansinha2000]

​@@highinfidelity72 yes sir definitely i will tell you all the process (a mini tricks). But can not explain full in here. So if u allow me your e mail i will send u all. I spent 10$ equvalent indian rupees for it. All parts i used here japanese technics/panasonic.

[@mestredigital2]

With Audio Technica AT-LP1240-USB-XP is possible to perform any speed between 16 2/3 to 117 RPM.

[@neilmansfield8329]

We need 16 rpm because they are more popular than ever

[@TheBudgie29]

I have Three SL 1210mk2's I would love just one of them to do the 78 speed. I bought one of those Audio Technica decks. But the Anti-Skate would not work. I was forced to buy one of those Suitcase ones with 78 playback and the Proper Stylus. Funny enough, It works really well.

[@highinfidelity72]

Thanks for your comment! Your desire is fortunately one of those that can be fulfilled: just contact Kevin at KAB USA and arrange a way to have the 78 RPM speed mod installed on one of your Technics unit!

[@TheBudgie29]

@@highinfidelity72 Thanks for getting back. I am In the UK, so sending a player to and from the USA, would be way to risky. Thanks anyway.

[@k333ization]

Is it possible to change the speed to 16 rpm also on a TECHNICS SL-D2? I already did the change to 78 rpm years ago.

[@toneyisaiah3556]

What is the price for the new turntable?

[@jhonwask]

This would be my favourite turntable, since I have records of all 4 speeds. Is there any way to modify newer turntables with 2 or three speeds to have all 4?

[@highinfidelity72]

Hello John, thanks for your message! I don't get exactly what you mean with "newer turntables"... If you mean newer evolutions of the SL-1200, I suggest you ask directly to Kevin at KAB USA, who engineered these add-on modules and will surely know.

[@jhonwask]

@@highinfidelity72 Thanks. I will look into that.

[@dealingwiththedarkestsideo5392]

Is this compatible with technics 1200 MK2 ? How do I get it to turn at 16 rpm ? Is ur turntable a, spécial model that has 16rpm by default ?

[@highinfidelity72]

The videoclip features exactly a Technics SL-1200 Mark II. If you take few seconds and read the description, it is explained how both 78 and 16 RPM are achieved by installing add-on modules produced by KAB USA.

[@rogerturner1881]

Can the SL 1300[which i have] be adjusted to have the 16 + 78 speeds?

[@highinfidelity72]

Hello Roger. It should be feasible, and it should also be much easier than on a 1200, as the 1300 is not quartz locked. Check this link: www.vinylengine.com/turntable_forum/viewtopic.php?f=16&t=73681

[@g.zaninicompositor2312]

Esqueceu dos modos: 8 Rpm, 120 Rpm

[@robfriedrich2822]

For 120 rpm the platter is too small, this would be an idea for a radio station phonograph, what plays the usual oversized discs.

[@hoobsgroove]

I thought you could play it anyway 16 ⅔ without modification doesn't it play it on the pitch control if you set it at 33 and the lowest pitch setting as possible no? What speed does that run at then?

[@highinfidelity72]

33 1/3 minus 8%.

[@hoobsgroove]

@@highinfidelity72 what do you mean by 8%

[@mertonnephake]

The pitch range on Technics is ±8%, so at -8% the slowest speed is 30⅔ rpm on these turntables without any modification. There is also an ultra-pitch mod, that would give you ±50% pitch range, that way you could get 16⅔ rpm, as well. Possibly in a combination with the half speed mod, you could even get the 8⅓ rpm speed to play those old audio books for the blind.

[@hoobsgroove]

@mertonnephake ok right what is it like a daughterboard you can just plug in