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Panasonic RD-2900 - any good?

quatsino

quatsino

Active Member
I've never delved too deeply into the TT world - and as a result have had 3 players of mediocre quality. Each of these I eventually tossed into the can when they wouldn't keep constant RPM or whatever.

Currently I have a Panasonic RD-2900. I bought this because it's DD, Fully auto, surprisingly heavy and in mint condition.

I have no info on Panasonic although some info on Technics from the late 70's. I can't really find a Technics match. I don't know the year of production either.

It seems to perform OK. It came with an Ortofon FF15XE Mk2 cartridge which seems of medium quality. A sealed copy of Tango in the Night sounded excellent to my ear.

Anyone know if there is a Technics match. Opinions on quality? Good, Better, Best - Shite?
 

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I love Panasonic/Technics stuff, and this table looks like a beaut. It may never make Stereophile's recommended component list, but it's a solid performer.
 
Same drive technology as Technics...well, Technics IS Panasonic. The Tonearm is similar to those from the first line of Technics belt drive tables (SL-20 & SL-23) so it should be just fine. The ORTO FF 15 XE Mk II...well, that's a keeper on it's own.

All in all, this is a darn nice deck and should sound GREAT! So what if it doesn't make Stereophile's list. I'm about to let my subscription laps anyway.

Joey1127
 
I have one that is missing the tonearm counterweight, I've had it for over a year. It is heavy and maintains good speed.All functions work. I'm looking forward to trying mine out, as soon as I find the weight. Good Luck w/ it CC
 
quatsino said:
I've never delved too deeply into the TT world - and as a result have had 3 players of mediocre quality. Each of these I eventually tossed into the can when they wouldn't keep constant RPM or whatever.

Currently I have a Panasonic RD-2900. I bought this because it's DD, Fully auto, surprisingly heavy and in mint condition.

I have no info on Panasonic although some info on Technics from the late 70's. I can't really find a Technics match. I don't know the year of production either.

It seems to perform OK. It came with an Ortofon FF15XE Mk2 cartridge which seems of medium quality. A sealed copy of Tango in the Night sounded excellent to my ear.

Anyone know if there is a Technics match. Opinions on quality? Good, Better, Best - Shite?
Click to expand...

The closest match to any Technics I think you'll find would be the belt drive SL-23, or the direct drive SL-2000. Both pretty much bottom feeders PRICEWISE, in the Technics stable.

But that doesn't mean it can't be a very nice sounding turntable. Sure is nice looking.:thmbsp:

Jeff
 
Celt said:
The Technics had better gimbal type arms, heavier platters, etc. But those are decent tables for their price point.
Click to expand...

At least 3 Technics 'tables had the exact same arm as that Panasonic. But yes, the vast majority did have gimballed arms.:D

Jeff
 
Celt said:
Yeah, I tend to not remember their belt-drive models. Kinda equate the Technics name with direct-drive.
Click to expand...


Same here. But Technics made a zillion belt drives too. And one of the three I was alluding to was direct drive (SL-2000).:D

Jeff
 
Guess I never paid any attention to those either. We had SP-10's at the radio station and a SL-1500 at home. Other than that, I was a died in the wool AR and Dual belt-drive kind of guy.
 
Blue Meanie said:
At least 3 Technics 'tables had the exact same arm as that Panasonic. But yes, the vast majority did have gimballed arms.:D

Jeff
Click to expand...

Jeff, I believe it was three. SL20, SL-23, and SL-2000. The first two were belt drive; the 2000 was direct drive.
 
Celt said:
Guess I never paid any attention to those either. We had SP-10's at the radio station and a SL-1500 at home. Other than that, I was a died in the wool AR and Dual belt-drive kind of guy.
Click to expand...

Understood.:thmbsp: The SL-1500, and especially the SP-10 are pretty much at the opposite end of the Technics 'spectrum', from the SL-2000.:yes:

Sorry to hear of your AR/Dual affliction (just kidding).:D

I've (pretty much) always lived on the other side of the tracks (direct-drive).

I've never understood the fascination with idler-drives, though.:scratch2:

Jeff
 
hakaplan said:
Jeff, I believe it was three. SL20, SL-23, and SL-2000. The first two were belt drive; the 2000 was direct drive.
Click to expand...

Those were the only ones I could think of too. I see now that Joey1127 mentioned the '20 and '23 also.

It's nice to be right for a change!:D

Jeff
P.S. And I'll bet none of the 3 have adjustable VTA, LOL!
 
I have the exact looking Technics SL-2900. Maybe there is some differences in internal components, but I dunno. The downside of mine is that its base is made from woodgrain. I'd like to make a real wood base or maybe one made of stone. Granite, soapstone...
 
Here is a pic of the Technics SL-2900
Same look as the Panasonic RD-2900...
 

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