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Technics SL-23

tonyk

tonyk

AK Subscriber
Subscriber
I just picked this up last night for next to nothing. It needs a cart and a belt but otherwise seems to be in very good condition.

This my first foray into vinyl and I gotta admit I know nothing of cartridges and the like, but I would like to have a decent table set-up with a few albums to spin from time to time.

Any recommendations for a reasonably priced cartridge for this table?

Sources for belts?

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Nice table :) I would start with the AT95E. I use one on my SL-23 and do like the music it makes. Belts, I want to say I used eBay.
 
I think it depends on the type of music you listen. If you like pop, country, and easy listening, then even the entry level Audio Technica AT3600 or AT90 can satisfy your need. AT92E is a nice step up with AT95E is probably the highest end cartridge for this turntable. Not that it can't use more expensive cartridge, but for the turntable, I would suggest save the money because of the cost/benefits ratio. I started with a simplified version of SL23, a rebadged MCS 6502 with wood veneer and it is one of the simplest and most reliable turntable. Good find!
 
AT-95e

second the AT-95e - guaranteed to work well in that arm and replacement styli are available -even upgrade styli if you decide in the future to go up the vinyl path. I have been buying two belts for any of my belt drive tables : one to use - the second goes in a plastic bag and is taped to the table. Probably my age - but i want someone in the future to be able to use my tables . Needle doctor ,LP gear and almost everyone else who sells TT parts should have this belt and should have sold enough of them to know exactly which aftermarket belt fits the SL-23.
Before mounting the belt - wipe down the area on the platter the belt rides on with 91% alcohol and carefully with Q-tips/cotton swabs - wipe down the drive motors spindle. DO NOT FLOOD the motor spindle with alcohol -you don't want to thin out the lubricant inside the motor itself.
Q; Anybody know what the platter spindle requires in terms of lubrication ? Been about 20 years since I last worked on one and just don't remember ?
Q2: I" think?" this table uses the standard alignment jig that the SL-1200 comes with ? 52mm from base of bayonet mount to tip of needle ? These are available for something like 5 bucks from KAB and a bunch of other sites. While cart alignment and exactly which geometry is best/perfect is the subject of many passionate posts - if you start with the factory jig it will give you a good result and is pretty easy to use. Manual is at Vinyengine.
 
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It uses 23.6" medium belt. You should be able to buy one, shipping included, for less than $10 on Amazon or eBay.
 
Another advice, spend some time to learn how to adjust the turntable. If it is not adjusted correctly or not well grounded, it may sound horrible. Plus, clean the record...and many more...you are in a rabbit hole, playing vinyl is fun fun fun...
 
Thanks everyone for the suggestions.:yes:

I did watch the stickied tutorial by Arcorob, it's helped me tremendously to understand how to set this thing up correctly.
 
Yep AT95E. That's a great place to start. :yes:

banyanleaf said:
I think it depends on the type of music you listen. If you like pop, country, and easy listening, then even the entry level Audio Technica AT3600 or AT90 can satisfy your need. AT92E is a nice step up with AT95E is probably the highest end cartridge for this turntable. Not that it can't use more expensive cartridge, but for the turntable, I would suggest save the money because of the cost/benefits ratio. I started with a simplified version of SL23, a rebadged MCS 6502 with wood veneer and it is one of the simplest and most reliable turntable. Good find!
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I think that turntable is capable of sounding better than you think. As long as the main platter bearing is smooth, and the tonearm bearings are good, an AT95E is about the least of what it can handle. Down the road, an upgrade to the AT95VL would be worthy, or even stepping up to the AT7V would be a good path. The Shure M97xE and Denon DL110 should also be a great match.

I would avoid the AT92E or any of the other Pmount cartridges, because the Pmount to half inch adaptors often leave a lot to be desired, and the tonearm will be too heavy for them.
 
Just an update

I did get this table spinning and sounding good.

It had some speed issues at first. I found one large cap that was swollen, I replaced that and lubed the motor and now it holds perfect speed.:banana:

I would like to upgrade the cart sometime. Quite frankly I don't even know what kind is on there right now, as my guy at the stereo shop just handed it to me and said this will work, I was so hungry to hear the vinyl I had gotten for Christmas I didn't think to ask what kind it was. Looks like an AT cart of some sort.

Anyway here's some pics.

The swollen cap.
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In action, spinning some Little Feat Waiting for Columbus
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My first turntable was a brand new SL-23. I tried a Shure M91ED and an Acutex 310II and did not get satisfaction. Then I installed a Shure V15 Type IV and never looked back. I have since added a few other turntables to the collection, but the SL-23/V15 combo remains one of my best sounding systems. Congrats on the score. You will like the SL-23. A very solid performing table.
 
I would go back to the original headshell too, but I guess that's what he gave you?

I recently picked up an SL-23 too. It was cheap but came with no headshell and the guy was sure the motor was shot as it would not spin for him. I lubed it and worked the motor pulley up and down, started and stopped it for a couple of minutes, added more lube, and the motor spun. It works fine now.

I use a good quality 10w30 synthetic oil on motors and spindles. I'd suggest you add a bit of lube.
 
illini said:
Check out the at150mlx. And vacuum-based record cleaning machines.

What happened to the original headshell?
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I have the original headshell, it's a P-mount, but think it's missing the little spacer to mount the cart to.

Is this headshell really holding this table back?
 
Montycat said:
I would go back to the original headshell too, but I guess that's what he gave you?
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My guy tried to give me another headshell to go with the cart, but I told him I already had one, so I just took the cart.

At the time I did not know what a P-mount was, I quickly found I could not mount the cart to the shell I had, so a quick trip to guitar center netted the one that you see in the pics.
 
tonyk said:
My guy tried to give me another headshell to go with the cart, but I told him I already had one, so I just took the cart.

At the time I did not know what a P-mount was, I quickly found I could not mount the cart to the shell I had, so a quick trip to guitar center netted the one that you see in the pics.
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Well there is nothing intrinsically wrong with that Stanton shell, but the Technics is just more intrinsically right. :)
 
The original headshell is not p mount. The cart you have looks like a very entry level AT. Perhaps a 3600? I would maybe swap it out for an at95e? That should really perform well and not cost a fortune.
 
Are you sure? As I see a lot of them on the web with P-mounts.

Even this one from fellow AK'er Kermitz (I hope you don't mind me using your pic) has the P-mount which looks exactly like mine.

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