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Questions about Technics SL-1500

badfinger74

badfinger74

New Member
Hi all,

I have recently acquired a manual Technics SL-1500 that I'm trying to restore. I upgraded to this turntable from a Technics P-mount so I am still fairly new to the process of calibrating everything perfectly.

For starters, I am using an Audio Technica AT95E cartridge with the green stylus it came with. I have balanced the tonearm at the recommended 2 grams and adjusted the anti-skate accordingly. I know it might not be the greatest cartridge/stylus choice sonically, but I am on a budget and am satisfied with it for now. However, it seems like whatever I do, I can't get rid of the inner groove distortion.

I bought a Technics overhang gauge and have positioned the stylus tip at 52mm. I bought a turntable protractor from Hudson HiFi and have spent hours aligning the cartridge. I recently bought an alignment mat to see if that would serve me better, but I'm still having no luck. The rest of the LP sounds fantastic to my ears, but the distortion on the last song or two on every side just drives me crazy.

Currently, I am using the Technics headshell that came with my SL-1500. It's the kind with a single screw on top. I briefly tried using a Technics headshell from a different turntable, with the dual screw system, but had no luck with that either. When I measured the overhang, I noticed that the entire headshell seemed to be warped inward. The original headshell seems warped as well, but not as severely. I can align the stylus tip with the edge of the gauge, but it hangs to the left.

Is a warped headshell where my problem lies? Or so I need to buy a specific type of alignment tool? I know how difficult it is to be rid of inner groove distortion entirely, but I feel like there has to be something I can do to improve the sound.

Thanks for bearing with me. I appreciate any and all help!
 
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Here's a photo for reference of my cartridge on the overhang gauge. Note how the stylus doesn't line up with the center. Is this a headshell problem?
 

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I don't even bother with a protractor on my SL-1800. Just set overhang with gauge and make sure cart is centered and straight in the headshell and I have no issues. I hve done this with both the AT-95E and the MP-110. Seams to work fine.
 
cmorr said:
I don't even bother with a protractor on my SL-1800. Just set overhang with gauge and make sure cart is centered and straight in the headshell and I have no issues. I hve done this with both the AT-95E and the MP-110. Seams to work fine.
Click to expand...
When I align the stylus with the overhang gauge, the cartridge sticks out of the headshell at a very odd angle. I just can't imagine that its correct. Maybe I should just buy a new headshell and see if that makes a difference.
 
badfinger74 said:
When I align the stylus with the overhang gauge, the cartridge sticks out of the headshell at a very odd angle. I just can't imagine that its correct. Maybe I should just buy a new headshell and see if that makes a difference.
Click to expand...
Maybe post a pic of that. My MP-110 hangs out the front of my headshell but it is straight. Not at an odd-angle. But the top of the cart extends beyond the front of the headshell a little bit.
 
badfinger74 said:
But when I move the cartridge to make the stylus line up with the overhang gauge, it is wildly off alignment according to my protractor
Click to expand...

I'm guessing your protractor and the overhang gauge are for two different types of alignment. Possibly Baerwald for the protractor and Stevenson for the overhang gauge. If so you need to use one or the other, not both. When using the overhang gauge, it is up to you to center the stylus/cantilever and mount it square in the headshell. When I look at the photo you posted it looks like the stylus is way off center and the cartridge twisted in the headshell. That's not the proper way to use the Technics overhang gauge.
 
badfinger74 said:
Hi all,


Is a warped headshell where my problem lies? Or so I need to buy a specific type of alignment tool? I know how difficult it is to be rid of inner groove distortion entirely, but I feel like there has to be something I can do to improve the sound.

Thanks for bearing with me. I appreciate any and all help!
Click to expand...

There is a flaw with that particular model of alignment tool.

The arrow on the white plastic is not centered. :no:
 
Balifly said:
There is a flaw with that particular model of alignment tool.

The arrow on the white plastic is not centered. :no:
Click to expand...

I'd only rely on the Technics gauge for setting the 52mm shoulder to tip distance. I actually don't even rely on it for that. I use a set of calipers, but I don't think the OP has a set. I then square and center the cartridge within the headshell. That Technics overhang gauge isn't a precision piece of equipment, but it should be close enough for getting the shoulder to tip distance set at 52mm. I suspect the center pointer location may vary a bit from batch to batch due to manufacturing tolerances. I just dug mine out and checked it with my calipers, and the center indicator was off by 0.2mm.

I prefer headshells that have a center line inscribed down the front of the headshell (like my Harman Kardon T60 headshells or the Pioneer Magnesium headshell I have). I trust their accuracy more than a $6.00 piece of plastic.
 
Yeah, use one method or another but not both. The Technics tool is a quick easy way to get their recommended position. Other gauges and protractors will give different results which you might prefer.

You can take the Google maps suggested route to your favourite pub, or you can take the scenic route, the one with the gas station along the way, another which bypasses the construction or whatever. They all get there but you can't do more than one of them at the same time.
 
JMelton said:
Align using a protractor. Ignore the alignment tool and the overhang value. See if that sounds better.
Click to expand...

Weird alignment with that cartridge/headshell and alignment tool. You would happen to have another tool to try? Anyhow, I'd go with the two null-point protractor. Good luck! :thumbsup:
 
badfinger74 said:
Here's a photo for reference of my cartridge on the overhang gauge. Note how the stylus doesn't line up with the center. Is this a headshell problem?
Click to expand...

I have to agree with others that it is turned in at a strange angle. Have you tried, as others have suggested, centering it with the overhang tool? I would try that first and see how that works. I have the auto return 1700 and just used the overhang of 52mm, centered. It checks out with the protractor. Also, have you set your vtf and anti-skate? Try 2.0g or 2.1 and set the anti-skate to match. Also, you might want to try Stevenson if you haven't.

I've never had a problem with a Technics table from that family once set to 52mm and centered. Works every time for me & Technics 1700, 1800, etc. Let us know what's happening.

P.S. might sound silly, but make sure you have a clean stylus. I use the Mr. Clean white pad to get stylus clean. Dirt can cause a lot of distortion.
 
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