It was probably a cheapening thing. I think most of the machines after the Lab 80 era lacked a mute switch. The SL95 may have been among the last to have one.
The switch is also not always 100% effective, depending how its timed and what runs it. The Lab 80 has one, but it un-mutes before the mechanism completely disengages, causing a nice "thunk" to come through the speakers just after the stylus lands.
The switch is also not always 100% effective, depending how its timed and what runs it. The Lab 80 has one, but it un-mutes before the mechanism completely disengages, causing a nice "thunk" to come through the speakers just after the stylus lands.