• Please note that Audiokarma will be offline briefly for updates early on Monday morning, September 28th.

Panasonic MCS Technics SL-20/23 Hybrid?

Phase700b

Phase700b

AK Lurker & Kinsman
I don't know. . . I thought this was interesting as there isn't that much out there about the Panasonic MCS series of turntables except maybe the 6700 and a few others. Does anyone else?

I just thought I'd post this here also for anyone curious about the Panasonic MCS Technics look-a-likes. Has anyone else owned or seen this particular model? Mine was a one owner unit that just needed a new belt, some clean and lube, and some polishing work on the dust cover.

I owned this turntable for awhile and found it a curious model featuring the Auto return/shutoff feature of the Technics SL-23, but lacking the platter strobe edge treatment and pitch adjust. Also, it has a black color scheme which, really appealed to me compared to an SL-23 in silver. I also liked that it had the S shaped tonearm with universal SME type head.

Anyway, I found this Technics look-a-like interesting , and here are some pictures for Technics and Panasoninc fansfans. I also have an MCS 6700, a Technics SL-1700MK2 and a Technics SL-1710MK2 Euro model.







 

Attachments

  • 100_1492.jpg
    100_1492.jpg
    80.7 KB · Views: 16
  • 100_1493.jpg
    100_1493.jpg
    68.6 KB · Views: 18
  • 100_1496.jpg
    100_1496.jpg
    56.2 KB · Views: 22
  • 100_1503.jpg
    100_1503.jpg
    47.8 KB · Views: 15
Last edited:
Register to hide this ad
Saw one once. The thing I noticed first was that the headshell isn't slotted so cartridge alignment is what it is.

John
 
boreas said:
Saw one once. The thing I noticed first was that the headshell isn't slotted so cartridge alignment is what it is.

John
Click to expand...

Not sure what you mean. It is slotted on this one, is original. . . and I used the Technics stylus overhang gauge to aline the cartridge. The head has the pin in it and the cartridge head has slotted screw holes on top. It even has grounded copper shielding on the underside of the head.

Here is a pic:

 

Attachments

  • 100_1499.jpg
    100_1499.jpg
    39.3 KB · Views: 23
Last edited:
Technics is a brand name of Panasonic. The MCS models made by Technics are 6502/6503, if I remember correctly.

Do you see Panasonic brand stamped on the platter or Technics?
 
Last edited:
Very interesting. MCS stands for Modular Component Systems, a JCPenney brand.

In the late 70's, JC Penney and Sears tried to update their audio offerings in the catalog sales and brick and mortar stores. They had been lagging behind the trend, selling mostly all-in-one systems with BSR changers, built in 8 track players and the like, while mid-fi to hi-fi audio was going 'mainstream'. Penneys teamed up with Technics for their turntables and several manufacturers for their other gear. Sears offered LXI (their house brand) and later, Fisher gear to their customers.

This is the first time I've seen the MCS brand blatantly coupled with Panasonic (Technics parent Co.). Very interesting. Good gear, too...a friend has a whole MCS system bought from catalog and delivered by truck back in the late 70's and it's still sounding great.
 
iLUVanalog said:
The headshell on this table IS slotted.
Click to expand...

Yes, I SAW the newer photo.;) In the first set of photos it appeared to me to be un-slotted The Panasonic MCS I saw was missing the headshell and mat and the record store that had it wanted a lot for it. Meanwhile, I was only interested in the dustcover so I wanted to pay very little.

John
 
Cat's out of the bag on MCS for a lot of people. The early ones say Panasonic, kind of the way Technics by Panasonic got downplayed over time. There are a few variants of the MCS out there that are rebadged Technics machines, both belt and direct drive. I had one belt drive that was virtually identical to a Technics except black, and a few weeks later found a version that was neither Technics nor MCS, but only labeled Panasonic. That one was wood vinyl instead of black or silver. Same machine. Decent, but basic. Most use that headshell, and a lot use a Shure 2215, which is some version of another cart that seems to been made for them.

I have also found an MCS that was a CEC, and identical to other CEC machines. There is also one MCS that is a low-end BIC machine that was made in Puerto Rico, as I recall. I have photos somewhere. A funky 920-ish rig. Not too good but it did work fine with some benching, and was quiet.
 
Yes, some MCS turntables actually had platters which had "Technics" molded into the underside. . . so they apparently used parts on both brands. It seems to depend on the year and model as to how much cross parting occurred.

I have an MCS 6700 which is very similar to the Technics SL-1950, but is a darker color charcoal treatment with very nice knurled and lever type controls
that look much nicer, in my opinion:




Panasonic/MCS also made some very low end belt drive plastic turntables with integrated tone arm cartridges that had no comparable Technics models.

Anyway, the model 683-2500 pictured in post #1 was one I had not come across and made obvious use of SL-23 parts, but used a different platter and plinth. I actually like the plinth on the MCS better as it is black vinyl laminated MDF or particle board with possibly fairly good damping. The SL-23 was, I think, plastic or part plastic and silver colored with tapered undercut sides.
 
Last edited:
boreas said:
Yes, I SAW the newer photo.;) The Panasonic MCS I saw was missing the headshell and mat and the record store that had it wanted a lot for it.
John
Click to expand...


Hmmm. . I thought you said:

boreas said:
Saw one once. The thing I noticed first was that the headshell isn't slotted so cartridge alignment is what it is.

John
Click to expand...

Which is it? ;) Never mind. . . . makes no matter.:thmbsp:
 
banyanleaf said:
Technics is a brand name of Panasonic. The MCS models made by Technics are 6502/6503, if I remember correctly.

Do you see Panasonic brand stamped on the platter or Technics?
Click to expand...


Besides the 6502/6503, there is the 6700 I pictured above and I believe several others.

The one I posted in post #1. . . the 683-2500. . . did not have "Technics" nor Panasonic stamped on the underside of the platter. I checked. It seems it depends on the year and model whether that occurs or not. Also, if you Google "Panasonic MCS 683-2500, there is another hit that shows a turntable that looks more like a Technics SL-23 because it HAS the strobe edged platter and speed pitch control. Makes me wonder it was and early rebadged model?

Here is a link to another AKer that apparently found one of these back in 2011:

http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=396611


What is kind of interesting is that most if not all MCS product model numbers are preceded by the "683" prefix. But there are amplifiers and receivers also that may, or may not use that prefix. . . such as the 2500

For instance, I also have an MCS 3237 stereo receiver that was made around the 1985 to 1986 period and it also has a "683" prefix for model number on the rear, but is simply MCS 3237 on the front. Also, it was made by NEC as were some others. It actually is a very nice sounding unit for such a modest size and power output of 30 watts or so.
 
Last edited:
[QUOTE = "Phase700b, post: 7377460, member: 108500"] No lo sé. . . Pensé que esto era interesante porque no hay mucho por el que estar cerca de la serie de tornamesas MCS de Panasonic, excepto quizás el 6700 y algunos otros. ¿Alguien más?

Solo pensé en publicarlo también para cualquier otra cosa que le interese de Panasonic MCS Technics. ¿Alguien más ha tenido o visto este modelo en particular? La mía era una unidad de un solo propietario que solo necesitaba una correa nueva, algo de limpieza y lubricación, y algo de trabajo de pulido en la cubierta contra el polvo.

Poseí este tocadiscos por un tiempo y me pareció un modelo curioso que presentaba la característica de retorno / cierre automático del Technics SL-23, pero que carecía del tratamiento de borde estroboscópico del plato y el ajuste del tono. Además, tiene un esquema de color negro que, realmente me atrajo en comparación con un SL-23 en plata. También me gustó que tenía el brazo en forma de S con cabeza tipo SME universal.

De todos modos, este Technics me pareció interesante, y aquí hay algunas fotos para fanáticos de Technics y Panasoninc. También tengo un MCS 6700, un Technics SL-1700MK2 y un Technics SL-1710MK2 Euro.







[/CITAR]
[QUOTE = "Phase700b, post: 7377460, member: 108500"] No lo sé. . . Pensé que esto era interesante ya que no hay mucho por ahí acerca de la serie de tornamesas MCS de Panasonic, excepto quizás el 6700 y algunos otros. ¿Alguien más?

Solo pensé en publicarlo aquí también para cualquier persona que tenga curiosidad acerca de la apariencia de Panasonic MCS Technics. ¿Alguien más ha tenido o visto este modelo en particular? La mía era una unidad de un solo propietario que solo necesitaba una correa nueva, algo de limpieza y lubricación, y algo de trabajo de pulido en la cubierta contra el polvo.

Poseí este tocadiscos por un tiempo y me pareció un modelo curioso que presentaba la característica de retorno / cierre automático del Technics SL-23, pero que carecía del tratamiento de borde estroboscópico del plato y el ajuste del tono. Además, tiene un esquema de color negro que, realmente me atrajo en comparación con un SL-23 en plata. También me gustó que tenía el brazo en forma de S con cabeza tipo SME universal.

De todos modos, este Technics me pareció interesante, y aquí hay algunas fotos para fanáticos de Technics y Panasoninc. También tengo un MCS 6700, un Technics SL-1700MK2 y un Technics SL-1710MK2 Euro.







[/CITAR]
Estoy buscando un manual de servicio para MCS 683-2500IMG_20180713_034130_HHT.jpg
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom