Timestep - Technics SL-1200GAE & G EVOke

We have garnered quite a reputation for our intelligent (and fully sanctioned) modifications of various iconic Technics turntables. Now, designer Dave Cawley turns his attention to the SL-1200 GAE deck and comes up with yet more cannily-crafted advancements in the form of the new Timestep EVOke. Like its predecessor the EVO, the new EVOke takes a new Technics deck, makes a number of smart revisions then adds an excellent quality tonearm and cartridge to deliver a superbly engineered ‘turnkey’ turntable package.

Early in 2016, Technics launched a brand new edition of the SL-1200: the SL-1200 GAE. In its native Japan the first several hundred models built sold out within minutes. In March 2016 we were already hard at work on  measurements and modifications, having been approached by Technics who invited us  to do so.

The measurements we achieved simply stunned us and have since been backed up by HiFi News and HiFi World.
It approaches the legendary SP-10 MKIII (the MKIII is way better than the MKII), think Continuum Caliburn turntable but without the £150K price tag !

The excellent new Timestep EVOke is the result. A Timestep-Technics tour de force, but hang on, why modify a brand new deck that’s already flying off the shelves? The standard Technics SL-1200 GAE, while superb, cuts costs in two areas: the tonearm and the power supply.

The new SL-1200 GAE is the culmination of 45 years of research by Technics and now, in its Timestep EVOke form, delivers a stunningly high measured performance at an affordable price.

The Timestep EVOke ready to go out of the box! 

Arms
The standard arm really needs replacing as this isn't a cheap turntable. For the very best performance use the T-609 Timestep arm that easily outperforms the SME IV but at a lower cost.
Or for the ultimate a Glanz MH-94S

Cartridge
Audio Technica AT33-EV, this cartridge has won awards and is our all time best value cartridge.
Miyajima Takumi or Shilabe for the ultimate sound

Record weight
Oyaide STB-MS

Armplate
Ammonite Audio Modular as shown above, SME or Linn/Jelco/Timestep or blank. Available in black and silver.  Why ?  Because They look nice, designed to mimic the outer ring of the original Technics arm mount, even replicating its tiny and delightful outer edge ‘step’. All fixings are from underneath, so no ugly bolts etc. Being CNC machined, the assembly is dimensionally correct and stable – no odd angles here. The assembly of outer ring and centre plate is strong and stiff, which does matter when you consider the tiny stylus movements required to play a record. That means you will get the very best performance from your chosen tonearm and therefore the best sound reproduction.

Platter mat
Oyaide BR-12: Inheriting the shape of MJ-12, it is made of butyl rubber which has excellent vibration damping properties. Due to its high friction coefficient and grippy material, it enhances the adhesion with the vinyl surface and ensures stable vinyl playbacks by its anti-slip property.

Tungsten, which has almost the same specific weight as gold and is known as an anti-vibration material, is mixed into butyl rubber which has excellent low-repulsion force and vibration absorbing properties. The tapered structure is angled 1.0° from centre circle to the edge for correction of warping. 18 tuning holes are arranged in spiral pattern for effective vibration attenuation.

Power supply
Timestep GAE/G This replaces the SL-1200 GAE/G's internal switch mode with an external linear PSU designed by Timestep. While the SL-1200 GAE/G's power supply is very quiet a number of reviews have mentioned a ‘haze’, which our modified supply removes. Constructed with supreme attention to detail, the Timestep power supply’s cable exits the SL-1200 GAE/G via a custom-made adapter plate; the gold-plated power connector is made by Furutech while the PSU connectors are both gold-plated Neutrik.

The EVOke PSU features audiophile grade components, the gold-plated power connector is made by Furutech and the DC connectors are both gold-plated Neutrik.

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Timestep EVOke  Turntable : ready to go out of the box ! or we modify your own

Complete turntables ready to go or we modify your own.  You can chose the options and we simply make it for you. 

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Reviews:

•  Hi Fi World review of the EVOke click here to read it.

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Notes from the web:

What HiFi 8 July 2016:  Why spend £2700 on the Technics SL-1200GAE turntable when you can spend double that on an upgraded version aimed at audiophiles? Enter the Timestep EVOke...
The best Technics deck ever made? Timestep would probably say so. Not least as Technics has already told What Hi-Fi? it believes the SL-1200GAE is a huge upgrade on previous '1200 models.

Tone Audio 8 July 2016 (Geodff Dorgay):  I have one of Dave Cawley's standard Timestep upgrades on an SL-1200 and it has completely transformed the table. Using it with an SME V arm and Koetsu Jade to excellent effect. This man knows what he's doing with Technics!

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