How good / rare is a Technics SL-5B?

[smead]

FS locally, and when I search for info, I get nothing, not even any photos? What does come up is the totally different linear tracking SL-5.

This looks like a quality deck, platter and tonearm similar to 1200 series

Anyone have info on this? Thank you!

 

[smead]

Doh! Nevermind, I'm dyslexic this morning!

 

[McLoving]

You have the model incorrectly. It is SL-B5.

 

[samrobertson]

I wouldn't compare it to the 1200 as it's mid-fi belt drive vs the top-of-the-line direct drive that Technics is really famous for - but it's absolutely a quality table, no question. I have a very similar model, the SL-B2, that I just fixed up - and I'm almost sorry that I need to find a new home for it. They are rock solid, reliable performers with a good tonearm.

The B5 is an identical series to the B2, B3, so you can look up reviews of those to see the table is well-regarded. The B5 is the record changer version and it's a mild miracle to find one that includes both of the changer spindles...

 

[smead]

Thanks and sorry for my oversight, once I got over my morning dyslexia I found much info online

It does have an empire 7000e/x cart on it, I think I want that for my 1200 mkii!

 

[flavio81]

I wouldn't compare it to the 1200 as it's mid-fi belt drive vs the top-of-the-line direct drive that Technics is really famous for.

The SL-1200 (and MK2, MK3) was never a top of the line Technics table.

The top of the line was the SL-1000 in its many versions (which include the SP-10 in different versions as a motor). The SL-1100 is also superior in the SL-1200 and 1200MK2.

 

[flavio81]

This looks like a quality deck, platter and tonearm similar to 1200 series

Quality is subjective, what is the asking price? There's a chance you can do better for the same money.