The first difference I noticed between the G056C and the newer F was a separate power switch rather than it being incorporated in the target light (as it is with a real 1200). Other downgrades seem to include a terrible platter (with totally useless strobe marks), a crappy slip mat, downgraded cartridge and generally poor build quality. The only discernible upgrade in the move from the C to the F designation is the addition of a line output (presumably there is now a pre-amp in there).
The chief commonality between the old C and the new F is that they run slightly too slow at 33 1/3 rpm and far too fast at 45 rpm. A series of tweaks of the potentiometers on the underside now means it turns at the right speed; but why they can't set this correctly at the factory baffles me.
Instant upgrades involved swapping the cartridge and stylus for the one that came with my old G056C (I threw out the faulty turntable but kept the headshell/cartridge purely on a whim) and bought a better slip mat. I have the tracking weight at a smidge over 3g so it's not going to do too much damage. Following these changes the reproduction is reasonable for a machine that only costs £90. Yet I remain disappointed by the G056F. Never has the old adage of "You get what you pay for" rung more clearly in my ears.But bear in mind this turntable is within easy reach of 2 children under the age of 5 and I am quite sure it will be abused at some stage. A few years of using SL-1200s have raised my expectations of turntables, so this retrograde step was always going to disappoint; but it's better than finding my children have ruined a nice SL-1200.
Incidentally I have looked at the prices of new, old stock G056C machines on the Internet and they seem to be priced between £110 and £160. The C is definitely better than the F, but if I was spending £160 I would just continue to save up and get a SL1200 from eBay. A reasonable condition SL-1200 may be twice the price, but they are a hundred times better than the Soundlab in every single department.
I have also changed out the amp in the cheapo HiFi set up. I managed to obtain a Sony TA-FE370 for £21. Not only is this amp not damaged but it is contemporary with (and therefore matches the design of) my CDP-XE 370 CD player. The amp has a remote control that also works on the CD player - so the battered TA-F161 that started this whole thing is currently sitting idle.
Over the last couple of weeks I have also acquired a cassette deck for the princely sum of £20. However, the Sony TC-KE200 has proven so useful that it remains in my office set up and I will have to get another unit to go downstairs. If I can get another KE200 for around £20, my total spend will be £140 for a budget separates system. Not bad, not bad at all.
