A friend recently gave me an old (not working) Technics SL1600-SKL. I took it to get a repair estimate and it's going to take about $300 worth of work to get it operational. I am a complete beginner when it comes to turntables, so I'm looking for some advice. 1) I can pay $300 or so and get my SL1600-SKL running. It's a 1970s model, so it's about 40 years old, but as I understand it the SL1600-SKL is a great TT. 2) On the other hand, the repair guy would give me a $100 credit (what he says it's worth as is) and trade me a similar age, operational Technics SL1500 or SL1800 for about $75 out of pocket for me. What do y'all think? I don't mind the money if the TT is going to be good value and (assuming a solid repair) will continue to play for a good time. On the other hand, this will be for home use only, so I don't need quartz lock feature, so another model for cheaper may suit my needs just as well. I just don't know. Thanks for any guidance!
Need advice on a turntable
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KentTeffeteller
Gimpus Stereophilus!
I'd repair yours. What is not working on this turntable? We can assist you and you might be able to get it running by yourself for a lot less.
jeffpaletz
AK Subscriber
The Technics is worth fixing. You'd get nothing even close to the quality of it for $300. trading it in for $100 sounds way too low.
The SL-1500 and SL-1800 are fully manual, if I recall correctly. While some folks prefer a manual table (you must manually move the tonearm over the record, then drop the needle with the cueing lever, and reverse the process when the record is done playing), I suspect that you would be happier with an auto or semi-auto unit. Dropping the needle is not a big deal, since you are there putting on the record anyway...but running over to the turntable to lift the needle when it's over can get old.
$300 seems like an expensive repair, but then again we don't know what's wrong with it. If you could tell us what the tech will be doing for that $300, we might be able to provide better input. In my opinion, that's too much to put into the SL-1600; this is at the top of the price range for one in very good condition.
list of repairs...cartridge?
Thanks for all the input. The repairs as quoted:
"...Level_2 turntable service - $80 - Pitch control needs rebuilding as well as the unit needs a good tune up and servicing
New RCA wires - $60
Tonearm auto / cue mechanism repair - $80
New cartridge - $ ? ( could range from $50 to $150 depending on which cartridge you want )
so a total would be roughly $220 + cartridge cost = around $300 total to get it in playing condition..."
That brings up another good question. I have no idea what cartridge to get either. Like I said, I'm a complete beginner when it comes to TT. So thanks again for all your help.
Thanks for all the input. The repairs as quoted:
"...Level_2 turntable service - $80 - Pitch control needs rebuilding as well as the unit needs a good tune up and servicing
New RCA wires - $60
Tonearm auto / cue mechanism repair - $80
New cartridge - $ ? ( could range from $50 to $150 depending on which cartridge you want )
so a total would be roughly $220 + cartridge cost = around $300 total to get it in playing condition..."
That brings up another good question. I have no idea what cartridge to get either. Like I said, I'm a complete beginner when it comes to TT. So thanks again for all your help.
Post up a picture of the table so we can ID it and figure out whats going on.
beatcomber
AK Member
It probably needs nothing more than some DeOxIt sprayed on the speed pots.
If you have even rudimentary soldering skills, this is something you can easily do for yourself. Genuine Technics cables are available from www.kabusa.com.
Servicing the automatic features is the more difficult issue to deal with.
OPs description of the SL-1600 is quite vague re not working but I'll give him slack since he isn't knowledgable re turntables. As for the SL-1600 not working could be as simple as the cartridge stylus is damaged and needs to be replaced. The estimate for "repair" is on the high side for what may be a matter of cleaning and as Beatcomber suggested Deoxit on the speed pots.
boreas
"If it sounds good, it IS good." E.K.E.
I'm betting, since this is quartz locked, the SKL is a MK2 or a variant of one. If so, the cuing problem is probably a broken belt ($1.00 and 15 minutes work) and, as beatcomber said, the pitch instability could be as simple as cleaning the speed controls with an electronics contact aerosol.
As for the new cartridge, it's generally not necessary to replace a cartridge. Unlike the stylus (needle), cartridges don't wear out. You might just need a new stylus and, depending on what cartridge you currently have, this could be the best option, for considerations of both cost and performance.
Another cost/performance consideration is the RCA cables. Turntables require cables with relatively low capacitance. The best source for these turns out to be video component cables, the ones with red, blue and green connectors. You can get decent ones for only a few dollars. On the other hand, you can pay a lot for exotic audio cables that are entirely inappropriate for a turntable. As you can see, the wrong choice of cable could be both expensive and unsatisfactory.
Please, if you can, post pictures of your turntable and also of your cartridge (if you have one). That will allow us to start you off on the correct path.
John
As for the new cartridge, it's generally not necessary to replace a cartridge. Unlike the stylus (needle), cartridges don't wear out. You might just need a new stylus and, depending on what cartridge you currently have, this could be the best option, for considerations of both cost and performance.
Another cost/performance consideration is the RCA cables. Turntables require cables with relatively low capacitance. The best source for these turns out to be video component cables, the ones with red, blue and green connectors. You can get decent ones for only a few dollars. On the other hand, you can pay a lot for exotic audio cables that are entirely inappropriate for a turntable. As you can see, the wrong choice of cable could be both expensive and unsatisfactory.
Please, if you can, post pictures of your turntable and also of your cartridge (if you have one). That will allow us to start you off on the correct path.
John
boreas
"If it sounds good, it IS good." E.K.E.
If the table in question turns out to be an SL-1600 MK2 or a variant of one, there really isn't any new $300.00 table of comparable quality or performance. The $300.00 (US) price point is the level at which turntables worth owning begins, entry level tables of acceptable quality and performance. The Technics is several steps above that.
John
Where are you?
boreas
"If it sounds good, it IS good." E.K.E.
To the OP:
Here are photos of the two general types of SL-1600. It would help us if you could tell us which one yours looks like.
SL-1600
SL-1600 MK2
Given that yours is quartz controlled, I'm thinking that it's going to be a MK2. The SKL may refer to its particular international version. There are quite a few, all referred to by one, two or three letter groups, though SKL is one I'm not familiar with.
John
Here are photos of the two general types of SL-1600. It would help us if you could tell us which one yours looks like.
SL-1600
SL-1600 MK2
Given that yours is quartz controlled, I'm thinking that it's going to be a MK2. The SKL may refer to its particular international version. There are quite a few, all referred to by one, two or three letter groups, though SKL is one I'm not familiar with.
John
That's some broad statement there. Not sure I'd agree with you. At least not in every case, legitimate businesses. It's called making a deal. Win and making money doesn't mean that someone is losing. It's what is equitable to both parties.