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Good to buy? Technics SL-D2 find.

C

circumpolar

New Member
Hello everyone. I'm looking to get my first turntable and have found a Technics SL-D2 locally with a $110 asking price.

The story is that the table was used in the 80s, and put back in its original box around 1990 and has sat there ever since.

Everything is described as being in good condition, it turns on and spins, but the owner hasn't tried playing anything. It comes with the original Technics cartridge and an Empire cartridge (not sure which one).

What should I be looking out for? Are there concerns with a TT that has been sitting for 20+ years? Will the lube have broken down? Is $110 a bit steep? I imagine that I will at minimum need to buy a new stylus, and perhaps upgrade the cart. I'm thinking I will go with the SL-D2 if it's good, rather that unloading more $$ for something like a Pro-ject debut carbon. Sound quality is important to me.

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Thanks for your help!
 
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The first thing to check is the dust cover hinges - notorious for breaking.

The price is (in my opinion,which isn't always Gospel) a little on the high side.
The majority of eBay sales are more like $75. For $110 I would want absolutely pristine cosmetics.
That said, a good turntable for you.
 
Make sure there is no binding in the tonearm assembly. Power it up and see if everything works, etc.
 
also make sure that output from the tonearm is working across the full sweep of the arm.

I have had issues where the output stopped when the arms was about half way, and then came back as the arm continued forward.
Thats because mine sat for a very long time without use.

Yes, the lid hinges are notorious for breaking from old age


illini said:
Make sure there is no binding in the tonearm assembly. Power it up and see if everything works, etc.
Click to expand...
 
Thanks for the quick feedback everyone! Yes, this one looks good so far and after reading the description. Hopefully it works out -- I'd much rather spend my money building my vinyl collection rather than shelling out for a new tt.

illini said:
Plus this one comes with two carts and that SME-inspired headshell.
Click to expand...

Yeah, so this isn't the Technics headshell, huh? Is this SME-inspired headshell an upgrade?

ants2au said:
also make sure that output from the tonearm is working across the full sweep of the arm.

I have had issues where the output stopped when the arms was about half way, and then came back as the arm continued forward.
Thats because mine sat for a very long time without use.

Yes, the lid hinges are notorious for breaking from old age
Click to expand...

Only way to check the output would be if it's plugged into a receiver and speakers, right? Sounds like the seller hasn't done that.
 
I can see nothing but great things going for this SL-D2. It's a LOCAL seller, not Ebay and probably the first original owner. #2 Original box and probably packing material tells me that the owner was "mature" and cared for his/her possesions. By the looks of the box the SL-D2 was probably stored in a closet and not a damp basement, doubt it suffered since the last time used in 1990. My guess both cartridges are fine and you wont need to replace the stylus, the Empire cartridge could be a decent model. As for $110 asking price I wouldn't think twice, if the SL-D2 is up to snuff which it probably is out of the box nothing new under $500 is any any better so spend the balance on records or accessories for the turntable. BUY IT!.
 
illini said:
Plus this one comes with two carts and that SME-inspired headshell.
Click to expand...

I have 3 different cartridges mounted in different headshells, 2 Technics and one generic. All work just the same. The Technics seem a little more substantial but the other is just as serviceable.
 
I like to restore vintage turntables as a hobby. The Technics D1/D2/D3 tables are quite nice. The motors are sturdy, reliable and quiet. The tonearm and tonearm bearing system are nothing exceptional, but again are quite serviceable and don't seem to have many problems.

If the unit plays without any mechanical noise, the tonearm returns properly at the end of the record, the cueing drops the stylus very gently onto the record, and the motor holds its speed (as indicated via the strobe), you should be good to go. Ideally, you would be able to plug it in to a receiver or integrated amp to verify that it has good output and no grounding problems...but problems with these functions are not common with these tables, assuming your interconnect and grounding wires are solidly attached and undamaged.

By far the most common problems with these tables is the hinge tabs, which are molded as a part of the dustcover. As noted above, they often get brittle and break. They will still be usable if some decent portion of the tab remains...otherwise, the only solution is a new dustcover (or just use it without the hinges!).
 
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Forgot to mention...I strongly agree with the previous two posts. I own (and have owned) a LOT of turntables - from mid-fi to audiophile. I believe that a Technics D2 in good condition will easily hold its own against today's entry-level high-end tables from Pro-Ject, Music Hall, Rega, etc., and can do justice to a wide range of cartridges (other than those of especially high compliance).
 
Those SL-D2's have certainly held their value. I bought one new in early 1980s and I sold it only a couple years ago still performing like the day I got it. I think the MSRP at the time about $169 but they sold typically for about $129. Wish I'd kept it actually. It performed better with a more neutral sound that some other more expensive TTs I've had. I can imagine that after setting for 20 years the speed adjustment pot might need a little deoxit but I would think all else should be good to go.
 
I can only echo what others have said. I have an SL-D2 that I picked up a thrift shop, unfortunately without a dust cover. It's very nice.
 
That was the one I let go and should not have done that . I bought it brand new and it worked flawlessly untill I traded it in on a Technics SL-7 linear tracking TT .
 
Not tuned up and with a questionable (as in throwaway) stylus and quite possibly cracked hinge tabs I would say that $110 is maybe a touch high. It's certainly top dollar for it.

That said I sold one for $150 lately and it been tuned, cleaned, polished by me. I also custom fabricated new hinge tabs that looked and worked great plus installed a brand new cartridge.

However you could do a lot worse!
 
I agree that $110 is a top price, assuming that the OP will need a new stylus for the Empire cart. The Technics-branded cart that came with the D2 is not worth salvaging. However, if the TT is in good operating condition and good cosmetic condition, and if the OP does a bit of negotiating, I would think he could get it for $90 or thereabouts. Still not a bargain at that price, but not a bad deal either. And other than perhaps deoxing the speed control pots, I doubt that it will need much in the way of maintenance.

Regarding that Empire cart....I like some of the old Empires, but stylii are pretty pricey. I've found the AT-95E do be a very good performer on the mid-line Technics direct drives, and the OP can probably get one for $50, including shipping. Like many others, I consider it to be one of the best bargains in the cartrdige marketplace.

That said I sold one for $150 lately and it been tuned, cleaned, polished by me. I also custom fabricated new hinge tabs that looked and worked great plus installed a brand new cartridge.
Click to expand...

Montycat - have you posted a thread regarding your method of repairing/replacing the cheesy dustcover tabs? I'd be very interested, if you are willing to share!
 
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