How To replace an audio cable (and internally ground) a Technics SL-1200 series turntable

Proper way to replace the rca cable with internal ground.

[@darukhan]

Excellent video! You have included valuable information that most of these Technics 1200 RCA cable mod videos fail to mention: - Proper soldering iron wattage - The reason why a 50 watt iron is needed - Using a multi-meter to check your work. Great video!

[@tectalabyss]

Thank you Jordan. Very well explained how to and mod. All my best. Bobby

[@emorris272]

Thanks for the video! I've got a Technics SL-D5. I was having hum with mine. I unattached the ground wire from the preamp and the hum went away. The body of the cartridge was grounded through the headshell and the ground for the turntable was at different ground potentials.

[@studervista]

Very useful video ! I did it as you said: nice and clean ! Thanks for sharing it

[@skycarl]

Instructions on this was excellent. Thank you Jordan. Carl

[@louisbelfiore945]

Great video! Thanks

[@cttv90108]

does the ground modification help with hum when this turntable is used with a vacuum tube preamp? I'm using the 1200 with a tube preamp and always have a small amount of 60hz in the signal.

[@SnoW-pk9zo]

Hey I have a SL - JS 16R in great condition. We no longer have the speaker. Do you got any advice on how to change the audio cable? It's a 8 cable cord

[@suseendranbalakrishnan6529]

Hi Jordan Pier, in my Pioneer 518 TT, the original stock RCA male connectors (Yes, connectors only) are to be replaced with better quality. I could see the inside where the RCA cables soldered to the tonearm circuit board. The color code of the RCA wire as follows: Black- ground wire, the other four wires: Red-Black & White Black. Please confirm that: Are Red & White are the positive of the Left & Right channels? Both the Blacks are for Negatives? I have taken photos, but I don't know how to upload here. Please clarify for the above. Thank you.

[@JordanPier]

Suseendran Balakrishnan this should be correct.

[@suseendranbalakrishnan6529]

Jordan Pier, you mean:- Red & White are the Positives for Left and Right Channels? Thank you for the reply. Regards.

[@reneleggs]

Specifically, is that Rosin Core Solder that you are using?

[@daft9097]

do more technics repairs nice!

[@atlantargh]

can you please clarify exactly what you did with the MM at 13:03 to verify the connection? Thank you

[@JordanPier]

You're verifying continuity between the signal negatives (green and blue tonearm wire), the tonearm ground wire (black) and the chassis ground. All should be tied together

[@beyondthed]

Thanks Jordan for that, atlantargh, being a novice I found this helpful, look at the part where they talk about continuity: learn.sparkfun.com/tutorials/how-to-use-a-multimeter/all#parts-of-a-multimeter

[@jonsvideobrary]

Regarding whether to keep or get rid of external ground wire, you said "If your in a hi-fi sense, it's a good idea to keep it." I assume you meant for personal hi-fi system listening? Can you explain why keeping the external ground wire would be preferred in some situations, such as for hi-fi? I use my 1210 mk2 for personal listening and it has a hum I would like to locate and eradicate. I am thinking of unifying the ground as you did, but your comment about hi-fi gave me pause. Excellent video instructions, thanks!

[@JordanPier]

jonsvideobrary typically the ground is better in Hi Fi applications because some amps have the phono ground isolated for the phono preamp only. In this scenario an internal ground might have more him than separate. Generally, most amplifiers have both the signal and chassis ground unified already, so an internally grounded turntable is better since an extra ground wire could lead to a ground loop and possibly more hum. So....unless you have some strange, esoteric amplifier where the signal ground and chassis grounds are different, internally grounding your sl-1200 will probably yield less hum. Make sure your cartridge is wired correctly too, or this will cause hum red=right +, green=right -, white=left +, blue=left - Get a cable with good shielding. Monster cable will just break the strain relief clamper. Mcm pro signal cables are cheap, and work great www.newark.com/mcm/24-12492/6-premium-stereo-patch-cable-dual/dp/64T7438

[@jonsvideobrary]

Thanks Jordon for your reply. The receiver is a McIntosh 4100 tube amp from 1980 era, they are known to have a good phono stage. I believe the cartridge, which is an NAD 9300, is wired properly; but I will check again. Is it possible the cartridge is not compatible with the phono stage of the receiver?

[@JordanPier]

jonsvideobrary that is possible, but doesn't normally cause a hum, just poor quality sound

[@rsanchez7111]

Wow. How did you by pass the power to the power drill??

[@rsanchez7111]

I show say to the cordless drill?

[@JordanPier]

rsanchez7111 I just pulled the battery out and drilled a hole for a connector that wires to the battery terminals. I supply the drill using a 12v 10amp regulated power supply

[@rsanchez7111]

Jordan Pier cool thanks for the info

[@JohnDoe-uq3mx]

shouldn't the tonearm's cartridge ground begin at the amp and not at the turntable?

[@JordanPier]

The purpose of this is isto unify the grounds of the chassis and tonearm, previously separate. The ground wire is for the chassis ground, where the ground of the rcas is for the tonearm and cartridge. Since the majority of equipment has the rca ground at chassis potential already, unifying the grounds at the turntable (internally grounding) reduces ground loops in some equipment

[@robber576]

Youre assuming the wrong thing, a cardridge does not have a ground, it has 2x a plus and minus of a coil, no ground. The ground is specifically introduced on one side of the cable at the nd of the rca cables. What you do “unifyingthe ground” is actually hanging something at ground level what should be not at ground level at that location, this IS introducing a ground loop.

[@cjay2]

@@robber576 Exactly. Was going to write the same comment.

[@danielmetal9411]

I see all tutorials show how to replace the RCA but how about the 4 are in the tonearm ?

[@JordanPier]

Why? Are they broken?

[@danielmetal9411]

well, actually I´m not sure. I already replace the RCA but still doesn´t sound. It´s a Japanese Sony Ps X7. it used to sound great. I have another but it´s not as good as this unit.

[@JordanPier]

Using an ohm meter, remove the cartridge carrier and test the continuity of each pin to where the RCA cable attaches. Top left should be left channel + Top right should be right channel+ Bottom left should be left channel - Bottom right should be right channel - If those ohm out check wiring and continuity between terminals RCA cable solders to and end of RCA cable. You might have a bad cable Only thing left would be cartridge carrier or cartridge. Check wiring there as well

[@danielmetal9411]

I paid one guy years ago. All he had to do was change the RCA. He did, but it never worked again after that . The primary problem was It sounded just one channel. I just opened now. and i saw what it seems to be the problem. There´re 5 thin wires coming from the tonearm and one (black) is broken. but I don´t know where is was soldered.

[@danielmetal9411]

Thank you so much. This is my whatsapp .[phone]. if you send me a message through it I´m going to send you a picture of the mess.I´ll try what you told me in the meantime.

[@rickc661]

late here - good clear vid. Ha - IF I did that guarantee 2 screws would have mangled heads , I hate Phillips.... ever try to replace the 4 tiny wires that go thru the tonearm to the back of cartridge ? IF Yer t'table doesn't have the easy replace SMe / Technics head shell.... funny how soldering looks so easy.

[@JohnDoe-uq3mx]

looks like someone cut out the access hole for that cover plate.

[@davidetrombetta1624]

In questo modo non c'è bisogno di collegare la terra separatamente?

[@JordanPier]

sí, ahora es parte de la ruta de tierra RCA.

[@cjay2]

Sì. Hai ragione. La terra viene introdotta specificamente su un lato del cavo all'estremità dei cavi rca. Quello che si fa "unificando la terra" è in realtà appendere qualcosa a livello della terra che non dovrebbe essere a livello della terra in quella posizione, questo metodo che fa lui crea un loop di terra.

[@daveferris5465]

internal grounding is not a great idea. if this internal grounding hack was a good way to go then panasonic wouldnt be using an external grounding cable

[@michaelritch4441]

As a dj you should never do this...great video for the audiophile though

[@djedgroove]

Why not man?

[@oldstyleanalog6459]

Ur job is clean.But I don't like any rca cables.just Original ones.