minolta1888
New Member
I'm considering getting this as my first real turntable, but I don't know much about it. I can get it for $79. Is this a solid table? Will it be no trouble getting replacement cartridges for this?
Is a Technics SL-J1 a good turntable to start out with?
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minolta1888
New Member
The description on craigslist says it has a new belt and is in excellent physical and working condition, though it doesn't mention the stylus condition. I suppose I am a little wary since I've seen the listing up for a couple weeks but no one's taken it...
It has 2 belts . audio technica has 2 cartridges for it . They are called a p-mount .
https://www.petervis.com/record_pla...-sl-j1/technics-sl-j1-drive-belt-tonearm.html
https://www.petervis.com/record_pla...-sl-j1/technics-sl-j1-drive-belt-tonearm.html
Looks like a linear tracker. There should be 2 belts, one to drive the platter and one to drive the arm. Usually its the arm one that goes bad and makes them act stupid. Easy to change, not a big deal. I've had 2 of the direct drive linear trackers with similar mechanisms. Cartridge will be a P mount of some flavor. Easy to change, only kind-of trouble is the selection isn't as good but they are certainly available.
For 80 bucks in good working shape I'd be fine with it.
For 80 bucks in good working shape I'd be fine with it.
8xlaxx
Have you ever seen a spleen that large?
https://www.petervis.com/record_players_and_turntables/technics-sl-j1/technics-sl-j1.html
^^^Says it's a reliable TT and that broken ones go for about the price that the current owner is asking. Never owned one but might be worthy to roll the dice on it.
^^^Says it's a reliable TT and that broken ones go for about the price that the current owner is asking. Never owned one but might be worthy to roll the dice on it.
deepskippy
New Member
I've owned this turntable since around 1987, and except for changing the belt and the cartridge once, it's been a solid little performer throughout the years. I've always loved the small size, and I've managed to get the "chill factor" out of a lot of my vinyl with it. It's certainly not the end all, but I'd say for the price, and if the arm is working properly, go for it. You can always get your money back on it later if you feel the need to upgrade.
eyewanders
Super Member
What Aerobat said. There really aren't any "bad" Technics tables, even the light and cheap variety tend to play well above their "value".
I had this model about 9 years ago for somewhere between 6-months and a year when I first started tinkering with linears. It was a great little table. It's lighter than most of the others but I never had issues with it of any sort.
Put a good T4p (p-mount) cartridge on it and you should be golden.
Any of these will be great: https://www.lpgear.com/category/T4PSERIES.html
(and I can *highly* recommend the VL variety of those, but you may want to start a bit more modestly)
I had this model about 9 years ago for somewhere between 6-months and a year when I first started tinkering with linears. It was a great little table. It's lighter than most of the others but I never had issues with it of any sort.
Put a good T4p (p-mount) cartridge on it and you should be golden.
Any of these will be great: https://www.lpgear.com/category/T4PSERIES.html
(and I can *highly* recommend the VL variety of those, but you may want to start a bit more modestly)