New to TTs and bought a NOS Technics SL-QD33. Anything I should check before using it?

[Ldsc2002]

Hi,

After wanting to get into vinyl for quite some time, I finally decided to buy a Technics SL-QD33. I really liked the idea of getting a NOS Technics turntable after buying a pair of NOS Technics speakers, and I am now waiting for my turntable to arrive.

The manual states that the turntable comes without a cartridge, so I bought an AT85EP to get started. I also have a Technics EPC-P30 cartridge that my grandpa gave to me when he changed his cartridge, but it needs a new stylus.
- Any recommendations for a replacement stylus for the Technics cartridge?
- Or should I just keep using the AT85EP until I can upgrade to something better?

I know that electronics can degrade with time, especially electrolytic capacitors, so I am ready to do some preventive maintenance to the turntable.
- Is there anything I should check on the turntable before using it?
- Any capacitors known to fail with time?
- Is there any grease or oil I should change?

I have never used a turntable before, is there anything else I should know to enjoy my new turntable?

Thanks for taking the time to read my post, any advice is appreciated.

 

[kermit z]

Welcome to AK. The P-Mount cartridges are limited on what you can buy. I don;t have much experience with many, so I say go with what you got and see what you think. As for the NOS table, are you saying the box is sealed and never opened? I would lubricate the motor shaft before firing up. Sewing machine oil has worked for me over the years. Have fun with your new table and tells us what you think once your up an running.

 

[Fritz411]

Your rubber mat will have two small holes in it. Make sure it is aligned properly on top of the platter.
There is a small tab that should protrude through the hole closest to the spindle.
This is how your table detects a 12'' or 7'' record.
Happy spinning!

 

[Ldsc2002]

Welcome to AK. The P-Mount cartridges are limited on what you can buy. I don;t have much experience with many, so I say go with what you got and see what you think. As for the NOS table, are you saying the box is sealed and never opened? I would lubricate the motor shaft before firing up. Sewing machine oil has worked for me over the years. Have fun with your new table and tells us what you think once your up an running.

The box is completely sealed and has never been opened. To lubricate the motor shaft I only need to remove the platter, right? Or do I need to take apart anything else?

Your rubber mat will have two small holes in it. Make sure it is aligned properly on top of the platter.
There is a small tab that should protrude through the hole closest to the spindle.
This is how your table detects a 12'' or 7'' record.
Happy spinning!

I will make sure to check the alignment of the rubber mat when I get it.


Thanks for your replies!

 

[bluemooze]

...I finally decided to buy a Technics SL-QD33. I really liked the idea of getting a NOS Technics turntable...

An excellent turntable, congratulations.

Try the turntable before you go fixing anything. Depending on how it was stored it may work just fine.

Sometimes you can find NOS Stanton/Pickering P-mount cartridges on eBay. $200-$400. Worth looking into.

Good luck.

 

[Tiver]

Hopefully your TT will just work from the get-go.

Having never used one you will certainly get a handle on things from the owner's manual and it appears you are doing that. Aside from the TT itself, it will pay huge dividends to start off with proper record handling. i have records I have owned for 40 years that are in perfect condition and play beautifully. I learned early how to handle them.

To start, always handle them on the edges. Using two hands is always best. Always avoid putting your fingers on the playing surface. Keep them clean and free of dust. Learn about cleaning them and they will sound amazing for a long, long time. Read about the life expectancy of a stereo needle and draw your own conclusions as to how long one lasts. There is abroad range of expectations.

Most of all relax and have fun with the new media.

 

[Ldsc2002]

Sometimes you can find NOS Stanton/Pickering P-mount cartridges on eBay. $200-$400. Worth looking into.

I will certainly consider picking up a NOS cartridge at a later date. It's too much money for me to spend now on a cartridge, but I am sure it will be a worthwhile upgrade from the AT85EP. Do you think a Stanton or Pickering cartridge would be better than buying a hyperelliptical or SAS stylus for the EPC-P30?

Aside from the TT itself, it will pay huge dividends to start off with proper record handling. i have records I have owned for 40 years that are in perfect condition and play beautifully. I learned early how to handle them.

To start, always handle them on the edges. Using two hands is always best. Always avoid putting your fingers on the playing surface. Keep them clean and free of dust. Learn about cleaning them and they will sound amazing for a long, long time. Read about the life expectancy of a stereo needle and draw your own conclusions as to how long one lasts. There is abroad range of expectations.

Most of all relax and have fun with the new media.

Thanks for the advice, I will make sure I take good care of my records. I already bought one of those amazon kits for dusting my records before I play them, is there anything else I should have to keep my records in good shape?

 

[Tiver]

I will certainly consider picking up a NOS cartridge at a later date. It's too much money for me to spend now on a cartridge, but I am sure it will be a worthwhile upgrade from the AT85EP. Do you think a Stanton or Pickering cartridge would be better than buying a hyperelliptical or SAS stylus for the EPC-P30?



Thanks for the advice, I will make sure I take good care of my records. I already bought one of those amazon kits for dusting my records before I play them, is there anything else I should have to keep my records in good shape?

Nothing to worry about so long as you practice clean handling. Fingerprints are natural magnets for dust and other unwanted build up. Never touching the playing surface goes a long way. There are a lot of good threads on AK about wet cleaning and cleaning solutions. Something like the KAB EV-1 or the Record Dr. are great entry vacuum record cleaners. If they are too expensive then there is a record vacuum wand thing. Then there is the kitchen sink.....basically free. Many people will attest to the difference a clean record makes. Also, it can be a revelation just how good that used record actually sounds when properly cleaned, thus opening up the much less expensive source of garage sale and thrift store records (getting harder to come by these days however)

Store them in a bookshelf like manner. I keep mine in 3 mil poly record sleeves (outer jacket) and the record jackets are as new for the most part. Nothing is difficult, but starting off with good habits will be doing yourself a great favor.

Last thing is to be sure you have your player set up right. Just owner's manual stuff. You can learn more as you go. There is always more to learn. Be prepared to replace you stylus after you have played around 1000 album sides, but going somewhat beyond that would probably be safe.

 

[Ken Boyd]

Welcome to the site!

Being that your table will be new their should be an owners manual with it. You should find useful info in it which will get you started.

 

[bluemooze]

...Do you think a Stanton or Pickering cartridge would be better than buying a hyperelliptical or SAS stylus for the EPC-P30?...

Sorry but I'm unfamiliar with the EPC-P30.

 

[Bourbon]

I would suggest keeping an eye on p-mount cartridges listed on Ebay. I've picked up a number of cartridges and added aftermarket styli and have almost always gotten amazing sound.

 

[Decibel_116]

Congrats on finding a NOS SL-QD33. That was Technics last fully automatic model. What I find interesting about it is that it actually uses a completely separate motor for the automatic tonearm features. This serves to eliminate the clunky mechanism that uses the platter drive motor to move the tonearm. Be careful to not force the tonearm when you handle it. The gears on the tonearm motor are notorious for getting "out-of-sync" with the button commands when you try and force things. It is best to make sure the automatic features are not engaged in a task before moving the arm manually. Speaking from experience.

Welcome to AK!

 

[Ldsc2002]

Thanks everyone for the warm welcome!

I will make sure to take good care of everything from the beginning so that I can enjoy my records for many years. I will also be keeping an eye out for P Mount cartridges on eBay. I knew my options were very limited with T4P cartridges, but eBay and NOS cartridges give me many options to chose from. I think I will buy a cheap conical stylus for the EPC-P30 cartridge I have to compare it against the AT85EP, if I like what I hear, I will buy a better stylus for it, if I don't like it, I will buy another cartridge.

Congrats on finding a NOS SL-QD33. That was Technics last fully automatic model. What I find interesting about it is that it actually uses a completely separate motor for the automatic tonearm features. This serves to eliminate the clunky mechanism that uses the platter drive motor to move the tonearm. Be careful to not force the tonearm when you handle it. The gears on the tonearm motor are notorious for getting "out-of-sync" with the button commands when you try and force things. It is best to make sure the automatic features are not engaged in a task before moving the arm manually. Speaking from experience.

Welcome to AK!

I will be careful with the tonearm, thanks for the advice. I plan to use it only as an automatic turntable, so I don't think I will be touching the tonearm to move it, but its still good to know I should be careful with it while it's moving.

 

[80sGuy]

Congrats! The SL-QD33 was the last great turntable released by Technics. It is one of the best and most reliable turntables ever built to date! I still have mine which I bought new back in the early 90s. It is a workhorse due to very heavy usage but it kept on ticking until some of the capacitors went about 10 years ago...and still actually working except for the automatic features. I've since had them replaced and everything is back to normal again. Love my SL-QD33 and you shouldn't have to worry about it too much, other than enjoying your vinyls...and yes the AT85EP cartridge goes very well with it. That is what I replaced with recently but only purchased the stylus part (ATN85EP) and it fit like a glove with my older AT 'reference' cartridge. Sounded too good!