$15.00 pandemic era Technics SL-1500 yard sale pick up here. I had it serviced and replaced the RCA cables and ground wire with new because the originals were damaged in a fire, some caps were also replaced. It works 100% today.
Picked up a SL-1600 for $50 at an estate sale last year primarily because it had a grado f3 cart, I was going to put it on my sl-1200 but I plugged it in and hooked it up to my marantz 2275 and it’s been there ever since the automatic start and stop still works flawlessly
I have a Technics SL-D2 direct drive that I bought new back when it was new. Works fine, and I've played a lot of records over the years. One issue: it doesn't know when to stop. At the end of an album, or any other time, after it lifts up and returns to the cradle, it trips into repeating the record. I press the Start button again. Same thing. Lifts up, returns, then goes back to the record. I often have to repeat pressing the button several times before it will lift up, go back, rest on the cradle so the table stops spinning. I could just lift it up manually with the lever and return it, but I want to be able to walk away and have it end the playing automatically when it's done. Do you think this is a simple counterbalance weight issue that I can try adjusting on my own? Should I ask in Discord? My analog audio repair guy, Frank, at Audio-Tronics in Cherry Hill, NJ, is great, and a 90 minute drive from home. What are your thoughts? Love your videos! Very informative, real and honest presentation. Thank you for each and every video you do!
I have read the reviews about Discord, and now I'm not eager to go there. Most say that recent changes have made it "buggy" and hard to use the UI. Others say they use it to talk to their friends. Still more info tells me it's not targeted to audio equipment, but is more general, like talking about gaming. So, no, I'm not going to deal with Discord. However, if you, or anyone reading this who happens to be knowledgeable, you're welcome to tell me YOUR thoughts on what is causing the issue I'm having of my Technics SL D-2 tonearm continually lifting up to replay an album again and again instead of just staying resting in the cradle once it returns and stopping. While we're at it, my Marantz receiver keeps abruptly losing the right channel if the volume knob is turned up about half way. That is a volume I like. But at the repair shop, my guy can't turn it up more than a quarter of the way because it is way too loud. It doesn't cut out. He says I need more efficient speakers. Maybe so, but actually my KLH 900Bs should be fine. I need to get this repaired too, if the reason why this is happening can be found. Meanwhile, I'm using a Kenwood KVR-A70R receiver that I found at a Goodwill and works fine. I can turn it up super loud and it doesn't cut out. I hope that no one is annoyed with this long reply. Again, love the videos from Skylabs! Happy listening experiences, everyone!
I have my original Technics SL-D2 with an AT155LC cartridge. My youngest musician son was able to find a nice D2 for his system and he loves it. Technics turntables indeed.
First good turntable I had was a Marantz, it had the issue with the up and down buttons. Replaced with a Technics SL-D5, solid linear turntable. I now have a Technics SL-Q1, linear turntable. I had to replace the tonearm drive belt, works great! Also own a Pioneer PL-518 and a Sansui SR-232. They have all had to have some maintenance when I bought them, but all working and sounding great now! If I knew how to work on turntables when I was younger I’d have kept the Marantz, it was a nice turntable too. I regret selling it for $5. in a garage sale. But back then, I was believing the CD hype that records were dead. I love my CD’s too, but I have always loved vinyl!
I still have my SL-1210 MK2 with the dust cover and everything, the box and manual. It works like new. I have an automatic SL-D2 for my room so I can fall asleep on my favourite record.
I own a few Technics tables The SL-2000, SL-Q3 & the SL-1200 mkII. The automatic start for 7” records tends to act up when startup occurs. Other than that they all work well.
I’ve had a few 1980s Technics, regretted selling them. I now own 2 Technics 1200s MK2 purchased brand new in 1999 & they are like brand new today, still have the original boxes with the manuals still in the envelopes, the rubber platter mats are still in the paper unused, complete with the extra weights for the back of the tonearm & the stylus hangover tools. Bulletproof turntables.
I LOVE the 1200 MKII It took me YEARS of hunting to find one, got it a a estate sale for $18 3 years ago it run performs great but 2 of the resistors get pretty hot and I am trying to track down the cause, they seem to be a common fail points because MOST of the 1200's I see online have a Bubble under the Platter on the plastic dust cover in THE SAME SPOT but NONE of the techs online EVER talk about what cause that failure gotta protect that revenue I guess
For those of you possibly looking at a new Technics, I bought an SL-1210 GR for about $450 off due to the GR2 coming out! If you see one in stock at a reputable online dealer, it doesn’t hurt to ask. I bought the second to last one at Sweetwater.
Somehow I had not seen this video! I am happy to share my 1979 Technics SL-3300 still works perfectly. They were very well built. Mine has never been serviced. Love it. It was fun watching this video. Thanks. In my bucket list, come to Iowa sometime and visit your store. Big fan.
Same here. I have 4 vintage turntables and the one I use most is my SL-1900. It was my father's table but I probably used it more than him back in the 70s and 80s. I have done normal maintenance on it and it still works perfectly.
Ihave the D-2 nice turntsble...semisuto...but I owm a 1200MK2 too and Pioneer 500...D2 with an ortfon xart...pioneer with ortofpn blue...MK2 with MC cart...❤
I am an owner of a Technics SL-D202 that I bought new back in 1982 from Pacific Stereo. How do you rate this turntable? It's in perfect condition as I have taken very good care for it over the years.
He is 100% correct regarding the 1980s Technics tts. They just work. They're easy to repair and parts are abundant and most importantly the sound is on point and clean
I love Technics. My primary deck is my near mint SL-1600 MK2, then I have a SL-D2 in another room. Yes, the D2 is a workhorse. I have owned that one for 34 years. I also have a SL-J3 linear tracking deck but it has a problem where it started suddenly running at like 100 rpm!. Not sure what the heck caused that. And I also have a belt drive Technics that I keep trying to sell in yard sales for super cheap, but nobody wants a belt drive deck.
Just picked up a SL-D2 for $35. But it has the broken hinges and another common failure is the tone are level. Trying to find one is not easy. Also had the mat issue.
Technics has always been a great value. I started with a SL-23 back in the 70’s and the reliability got me hooked on them. I love the linear trackers. My living room set-up includes a recapped SL-10 with the original moving coil EPS-310. The linear trackers aren’t for everyone, you should be prepared to do the tech work to make them functional. Overall, I have been lucky to own both ends of the Technics line and many in between.
Agree. I have an SL-7, an SL-QL15 and an SL-L1. All great, though the SL-7 is my favourite. Built like a tank and I found someone in the UK who 3d prints the wedge stands for it, so it looks fantastic. They all needed work, but it was all basic mechanical and cartridge stuff. Happily the electronics have behaved themselves so far.
My biggest regret was getting rid of my Linear tracker back when styluses were IMPOSSIBLE to find if i had known there we would be able to buy BRAND NEW stylus for LONG DEAD Carts from GOOD manufacturers i would have SEARIOUSLY held on to it
Same. Although I have not had to change the needle. The previous owner (a long time friend) had put a Ortofon Concorde (not one of the DJ cartridges). Massive turntable and massive platter.
Just a note regarding the sweaty rubber mat....that sounds gross, but working for a company that manufactured vinyl outdoor decks there was a similar thing that happened when you put a rubber backed outdoor mat on the deck material. The reaction between the vinyl and rubber caused some of the plasticizer in the rubber to coat and stain the decking and left that gooey mess you described. Since decks are exposed to lots of heat and sun, that creates a nice oven under the rubber mat for the gunk to form. I never thought a turntable mat could suffer the same fate.
I have three technics changers. When playing lps , you have to be aware of the weight of the record, if it is to heavy it won’t drop it. I have a SL-d5, SL-3350 and SL-1950 ,
I've had Technics turntables in the past and I've been pleased with them. However, I'm not letting go of my Empire troubadour turntable. It has both eye and ear appeal and is built like the Rock of Gibraltar. (I might have wished that Empire's cartridges were a worthy match to their turntable, though.)
I recently grabbed my SL1950 from my parents house. I bought it brand new back in '78, and has not been used since the early 80's when I upgraded to a linn lp12. The cue lever was locked tight, the hinges busted, and the cartridge smashed. I removed the tone arm and cleaned the cue and applied the proper silicone grease. Recapped the control board with a kit from ebay. Lubed the main bearing with special oil. Replaced the cartridge and set it up using a printed chart off the net. Replaced the hinges, and polished the dust cover. It works just like new! Thing is, it's a real pain to play records compared to streaming. I have played maybe 15 records out of my collection of 300. Now it's sits here collecting dust. oh well
Fun video. I still have the SL-D2 bought new in 1980 and it's still in excellent conditions, even the matt is in great shape. The only issue is one hinge of the dust cover that has weakened and that prevents it from staying open on its own. The speed is accurate and it's never been serviced. It is a great table and built to last and even the specs are great. Plenty on eBay although prices are creeping up.
I have a Technics SL-210 which is the manual version of the SL-220 that someone gave me for free years ago because the motor didn’t work. I kept it in my attic and used the headshell for another turntable. A couple years ago I decided to see what it would take to get it running again. Turns out all it needed was a bit of oil in the capstan. Once I did that it ran with a rock-solid speed. I’d try that to see if it fixes the motor on that SL-220. Just drop some oil down the capstan shaft (no need to disassemble anything) and turn it manually to work it down into the motor. Do that until it finally runs on its own. The oil I used is Super Lube 51010.
I used to sell hi-fi. Back in the day the SL-23 was pretty much what you got with any low to mid priced system. They sold at least 10 to 1 of all other brands combined. An industry "football", everybody sold them so you couldn't make any money selling them. Average price was about $100.00 (no cartridge) One of the best things about them was they stayed sold, and never came back defective.
The first audio component I bought, was a SL1600MK2. I was 14 and it was 1989. Paid 175$. Bought it out of The Oregonian classifieds. The owner came and picked me up in his El Camino to come to his house and check it out. THAT wouldn't happen these days 😅😅
So, I found a SL-230 at a garage sale last year for basically free, took it home and thus began my journey into vintage audio. I went ahead and disassembled the deck and got all of the automatic functions working, including the repeat function. Based on this success, I felt emboldened to start looking at vintage receivers. Since then, it has become an obsession and I've refurbished a few other turntables as well as a number of receivers. I am now in the process of building out a home hi-fi listening room for some of my favorite pieces. This journey led to me finding Skylabs Audio. Kevin, you do a great job on these videos and I really appreciate your commitment. To everyone, get out and support Skylabs Audio. I've personally purchased a number of t-shirts, not that I needed any more, but just to show my support to Kevin and the entire team! Keep up the good work!
I have a 1977 Technich SL-1710 as with a new elips Tonar Element/Cardrige/Needle but my daily driver is my 1974 Aristona 1312(Philips 312) with a new elips Tonar Element/Cardrige/Needle. The Technish has an after market light atached to the dust cover on the left side, probably for when the lights are down when people are in a romantic mood back in the day.
My first direct-drive turntable was a Panasonic SL-1100 manual they brought out as a reference design. I bought this around 1963, before Technics existed, to replace my Dual 1219. When I decided to upgrade the tonearm I had to get a new mounting plate, so it now proclaims that it is a Technics. But i know better and still have the original Panasonic box for it. A few years ago, I decided to bring it out again. It was a bit gummed up, but it didn't take long to get it in like-new working condition. It is an incredibly high quality product and has replaced my Linn Sondek LP-12. I suspect that I'll recondition my Dual and Linn Sondek when I get some time, but there isn't any rush with the SL-1100 working again.
I have several vintage techniques turntables. The only one that doesn't have broken dust cover tabs is the one that I bought brand new in the 90s. However, I have some that still have nubbins of tabs left in them. Just enough so they would sort of stay in if you didn't move it. I was able to drill tiny holes through the clip into the cover and hold the cover in place with a tiny screw. That method has worked great and I plan to fix several others that way. You just have to make sure to remove the screws before trying to rip off the desk cover.
Technics 1200 unless abused will beat any turntable out there in the audible range. I bought the newest version because of the new anti "cogging" motor, even though I dn't believe in "cogging". The same people who whined about cogging are the same people who are now into huge oversampling from .wav files. US the AT7V or the Serato Assymetrical cartridge. I have a $7200 phono preamp, Krell power Amp, Quad speakers and I still use a MM cartridge.
Ohh boy what a nostalgia rush! I remember back in the day when Technics wanted to discontinue the SL1200 series, and we DJ'S collected signatures, and got them to change their mind. The SL1210MK2 was the best turntable i've ever owned. Rugget and stable like nothing else!
I’ve got a Technics SL-1360 that has been a real pain to find parts for. My technician did a good job with it but has also been unsuccessful in sourcing parts.
That "oil" may actually be uncured vinyl chloride. Slightly toxic and it always leaches from old PVC and similar plastics that were not manufactured properly. Similar poor manufacturing is why belts, foam rubber, all the soft stuff rots.
I have two SL1200MK2 one of with has Michael Jackson's autograph and the other Janet's i own them for more then 25 years. I used them in Amsterdam in the 80's in the biggest nightclub in Europe :P (back in the day)
You remember at the beginning you said it going to be fun? Well, you were right! For certain, I will show the operation of the changer to my granddaughter. She has never seen even a record let alone a turntable. Guess I need to get a turntable---seeing it won't compare to hearing it.
Old oil. It can get gummy and I can understand that little plastic parts get broken because of the gunk (especially in AZ). WD-40 is right up there with the rest of them. I bought a Marlin 30-30 that was all gunked up with WD. I cleaned it up and doubled my money. I liked that rifle and miss it. Off topic some. Wow! I forgot all about the stacked turntable. But I'm 73, remember? Maybe I tapped one to make it fall back then.
I got a Dual 621 from the 70ths and I love it. I know you dont recomment full automatics, but fo me the automatic function is a must. And when I bought it, the automatic function was also not working, but I repaired it myself.
I still have an old B.I.C. turntable from the '70s. It still looks great, but one of the plastic gears is broken, so it would only work full-manual. I typically ran it semi-auto with the short spindle. What's everybody doing for pre-amps these days with these old turntables?
My SL-Q200 has be rock solid since I bought it in 1983. I even have the original Audio Technica DR400E with its cover - spot on with the dust cover hinges fortunately for me the hinge snapped, but the tabs held.
I love their linear tracking models, I have an SL-J33 (silver) that I got used and cleaned up, lubricated and replaced a couple of the feet. Works great, just close the lid and press play.
I just cleaned up my SL-D30 table which I bought in 1982, very similar P mount. Exact issue with hinges. Loctite makes Cyanoacrylate Plastic Bonder and I had success fixing the hinges. 8 months so far and they have not cracked. I gave it to my 13 year old son who is getting into vinly.
I worked at the Technics wholesaler in 1975. There was a SL-1100 in the box sitting on the warehouse floor getting dusty. I wanted to take it home to just you know Try it Out!
Hi Kevin, gave my sl-d2 to my daughter with a Pioneer sx-680 so she can start her vintage audio trip like her old man has. Not sure I did her a favor if she gets hooked like I am lol. Nice video!
Great video. With those early 80s models, there were three series. The belt drive B, the direct drive D, and the quartz locked direct drive Q. Then there was the level of automation with 1 being manual, 2 being semi auto, and 3 being fully auto. So a SL-D2 was direct drive semi auto, while a SL-B1 was manual belt drive. All are rugged workhorses.
I remember my Dad's SL-1950 well. He used it as a changer until the cue damper started crashing the stylus into the record. The huge problem with a changer setup is that your vertical tracking angle is only correct for one record. Look at the ridiculous angle it sits at on the top of 6 records!
I've only owned 2 turntables in my life, both were Technics, my first was a SL 220 in 1978.. never had an issue with either of them, except for replacing the rubber belt which ages out.. I think the only issue with the stackable turntable you demonstrated was it probably wasn't used for a long time, so like lots of these Technics turntables, the best thing you can do is use them often
I know how you feel about Technics turntables, and I feel the same way about Dual. I have several vintage Duals which have never been serviced and still function beautifully! Love my CS-5000s and my Golden One. And, my CS-506 has worked perfectly since new.
Great Sunday watch, it really is hard to beat the older Technics. Ill always buy a cheap Technics when I have the opportunity. Lets chip in and get Eric a soldering iron jk!
Sometimes they just need to stretch a little bit and warm up, especially if they haven't been used for a while. Then service if/where/when necessary. Nice job and thanks again.
Technics SL-D212 the best...............Technics SL-D212 pickup, Direct drive, SF-DPDIINO2-R2 boards, H1-H2 double bridge circuit similar to the Technics mkII, Magnitizer plate mechanism with central drive motor, American specifications, never has or will ever need a belt, illuminated strobe, 50-60Hz, speed adjustment with pitch switch, for faster or slower playing of songs.(1981-1983)and now and one technics sl-q2 .......
Personally, I favor vintage turntables to be manual. Easier to work on, fewer parts to go wrong, fewer complex mechanical actions that could be adversely affected by the passage of decades. Examples might be the Dual 502, 504, 506 and 510, also Pioneer PL 12D and 112D, Sansui SR 222 and Kenwood KD 1033. Do you think these examples are good performers and reliable?
I have the SL 3300 fully automatic (1978 I believe )and I love it. I bought it broken at a pawnshop for 90 bucks. After disassembling, getting rid of all the old, grease, regreasing, etc. it’s working mostly as new. I still have a few tweaks to do to it but it’s good enough. It’s amazing the quality of the motor and rotor assembly of these older decks. BTW it pairs very nicely with my 1978 NAD 3060 60 W per channel integrated amplifier. In addition to that I have a fairly mid/high range modern fully manual deck that I really love as well.
I must admit to tossing my SL-D2 in the dumpster back in the late 80s. Rather than giving up on my vinyl like nearly all of my friends had, I doubled down by purchasing a Linn table. Sadly, I literally couldn’t give my Technics away (others looked at me as if I was offering them a scratched copy of Tall Cool One). I consoled myself by purchasing plenty of cheap vinyl over the next few decades.
I bought a Technics SL1800 MK2 last year at an estate sale. Came with the Stanton 681EEE-S cartridge. Sounds amazing. It is similar to the 1200 MK2 but sits on a suspended chases.
I had a record changer back in the early 70's. It was a cheapo "Electrophonic" but it had a hook shaped arm that sat on top of the record stack that kept the records from wobbling around while they hovered above the platter. I think all of the changers had that feature and, unlike the rest of the unit, it always functioned perfectly due to its simplicity.
I bought this Technics SL-B2 on marketplace for $95 with the original dust cover and unbroken hinges. There were numerous scratches on the acrylic, but after 3+ hours polishing it with a rotary buffer it looks fresh off the 1978 assembly line: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-ekw8-UUpCWI.html
I have an old Technics DC Servo SL BD20D and was wondering would it be worth getting serviced and use it instead of mine Sony PSLX 320 BT turntable. Would it consider an upgrade ?
Vintage direct drive is good when it works. It dies, those old circuit boards are PACKED with chips no longer made => play taps, 6 gun salute, bury it in honours! Vintage belters have specs nearly as good, and the control circuits are usually simpler and much simpler. With Technics, they were so good, nobody can tell the difference. Belts are cheap, if you know where to look. On many belters, if the motor dies, a 5 dollar EG-530SD-3F can be shoe-horned in, and it is the ONE motor with self contained speed control used in practically all modern dc-motor belter turntables built today, whether a 150 dollar Crosley, or a 2-thousand dollar boutique table, and it gets amazing wow/flutter of well under 0.08% on the one table I have it in, as good as another vintage direct drive I also have, believe it or not.
Great video, I have been looking for a decent SL-D3 or D5 for a while now. Currently trying to fix my Optonica RP-5100 but cannot find a service manual or schematic - if you can help that would be fantastic.
I have three technics changers. When playing lps , you have to be aware of the weight of the record, if it is to heavy it won’t drop it. I have a SL-d5, SL-3350 and SL-1950 ,
