Technics SL-1300 opinions

jhal

jhal

Titanium Bliss
I currently have an "original" SL-1200 that I like very well. The problem is, music is very relaxing, and I would like to move to a semi-automatic or automatic. I have fallen asleep:boring: more than once (thankfully, not for long) with the 'table going, and would like to avoid this in the future, as I am obviously causing wear on the stylus when this happens, and my stylus has to be factory replaced.

I have been looking at some SL-1300's, the 1200's automatic brother. What are your experiences with the turntable? Strong and weak points? Mechanical reliability, etc. Any input is welcome, John.
 
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Have not owned one, but I do have the full range of TT's from full manual to full auto stacker (Dual) and I agree that for easy listening, it is pretty important to have auto return. How you go about it is the question?

I bought a JVC QL Y5F from Hakaplan to be used as my primary (I might take a nap TT) higher end TT that will have a moderately up-scale cartridge (on the way). That TT uses a electro-magnetic system to control & return the arm. There is no mechanical connection between the drive motor and the arm to reduce the possibility motor noise feeding into the arm.

You do want to minimize unnecessary stylus wear when possible. I will also install another auto-return TT in the HT system so my wife can spin an LP without worrying about catching it when she is doing other things around the house. :)
 
Jhal: I've got an 'original' 1300MKII, Ortofon Super OM10 cart on it, that I'm currently not using. It's not in the current rotation due to acquisition of a Concept 2QD that I really like. Give me a couple of days to hook up the 1300 again and get back to you 'cause I honestly can't remember anything about its sonic capabilities, etc. I do recall that it is of course a suspended table which is not really to my liking...too damn sensitive to slight 'bumping', etc. Seems also that it had some type of quirky idiosyncracy (to me) in its operation, but again let me hook 'er up and see what happens.
 
The original 1300 is as good as your 1200. The original line of none-MkII decks from Technics were OUTSTANDING and well built machines. While not Quartz-Locked...so what...the best sounding DD I've heard over the years were non-quartz.

Joey
 
arrow 68 said:
I like semi auto, but also like fully manual. I would steer clear of most fully automatics.
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Well admittedly you've had some bad luck. Many AK members (myself included) are very satisfied with their full automatics. The better ones, with the arm movement independent of the platter, are not prone to the problems you've encountered.
 
The SL-1300 is very close in performance to the SL-1200, just a nominal step below- but not by much, via a different motor assembly that has slightly less start-up torque and running torque. And maybe a few other tiny, hair-splitting things.

The SL-1600 and SL-1700 use the same motor as the SL-1200, while the SL-1500, 1400, and 1300 (Manual, semi-automatic, fully-automatic) use a great motor, as well, but not as robust.

Again- it's nominal, and not something I'd be concerned with.

If I were a DJ, maybe then I'd be concerned about this. But for home use, the SL-1300 will have plenty of gusto.

Just so you know, I have an SL-1300, and it's a great table. I'm also soon to have an SL-1700 (a day or two), and later may acquire an SL-1100.

They are all excellent tables, and in my opinion, there's little to be concerned about.


A tweak a friend did, however, was to add a bit more mass to the already pretty heavy SL-1300 body. This resulted in an audible improvement in his sysyem.

A note- the SL-1700 is a semi-auto, the SL-1600 an auto.
 
Jeez...I'm always leaving the record spinning on my system...sometimes all day, sometimes longer :) It's probably an age thing. Now, where did I put down my teeth?
 
jhal said:
I currently have an "original" SL-1200 that I like very well. The problem is, music is very relaxing, and I would like to move to a semi-automatic or automatic. I have fallen asleep:boring: more than once (thankfully, not for long) with the 'table going, and would like to avoid this in the future, as I am obviously causing wear on the stylus when this happens, and my stylus has to be factory replaced.

I have been looking at some SL-1300's, the 1200's automatic brother. What are your experiences with the turntable? Strong and weak points? Mechanical reliability, etc. Any input is welcome, John.
Click to expand...

Having just rebuilt one,I'd recommend a Technics SL1700MKII GREAT table it's semi-automatic so no worries if you fall asleep.
I don't know how you feel about ebay but there are two on there at the moment.
By the way I use to live in New Port Richey on 136 Salem Dr.
 
I have an SL-1400 which I like alot. Semi auto and all. I do notice that tapping the table causes feedback but i have an easy fix to that. I don't tap the table :D
 
Thanks for the input guys.:thmbsp: I have been looking on Ebay, but I am scared to buy any turntable because most people don't know how to properly pack one to ship. Winning an auction for one is like a box of choc-lates.:yes: Because of that, maybe something good will come up in the AK classifieds.:scratch2:
 
I've a 1401. Nice table. No complaints.

It's an auto return.

I also have a Pioneer PL-550 (fully manual) and a PL-570 (fully auto). They're pretty much the same table, otherwise. I have the manual one in my office, as it's about a foot away from me and it's easy to tend to. The auto is in the living room.

The manual gets the most use. Which is fine, that way I'm saving the auto for the years to come when I'm feeble and old and decrepit and not to be trusted with a tonearm.
 
I used an original version SL1300 as my main player for several years and liked it a lot. About 4 years ago I was curious about a Thorens 160 and bought a nice one on audiogon. It took me a while to get the hang of the sprung suspension and get it dialed in, but it did better my 1300 noticeably. Just seemed more musical. I have concrete floors, so floor bounce was not a problem with the Thorens. Then almost 2 years ago I bought a Technics SP-25 (basically a 1200) with a different plinth and different arm and it has become my main rig, although I still have the Thorens in use. The Thorens has a low mass Linn arm, while the SP25 has a med-high mass ATP-12T tonearm. MM on the Linn, LOMC on the SP.

From my limited comparison, I think you will notice a slight audible difference between the 1200 and 1300, although I have never listened extensively to a 1200 in stock form.

If it was my choice, I would keep the 1200 and only play vinyl when you are actively listening. CD or radio for background music or possible dozing off. My 2 cents worth.
 
I have a Technics SL-1350 and a SL-1400 and I think they sound great. I prefer automatic or Semi-Auto turntables for the same reason that you mentioned. Too many times I have fallen asleep listening to music after wetting my whistle. :beer:
 
I have a SL-1300...

and it has the known loss of some sort of dampening fluid in the cueing mechanism, causing a free fall of the tone arm if you just flip the cueing lever. I don't use it much, but it works fine if you slowly cue the lever gradually. I did clean the speed adjustment control with de-oxit, curing a speed control instability issue.

It's a very nice sounding table, and functions very well...:thmbsp:

I could be talked out of it. PM me if interested...:smoke:
 
Having recently acquired a Technics SL1300Mk2 TT I can say I highly recommend this unit, I think its even better looking than the SL1200 series and it has almost the exact same drive system. But be warned, most of these units (mine included) have a defective cueing system which will also render the auto features useless. There is a fix however "Joel the turntable specialist" has a repair and replacement part procedure that will restore the unit to working status, its somewhat costly though ($150) so you may want to factor that into your budget. I paid $125 for my unit which otherwise functions perfectly and I didn't think the auto features would be missed, however I'm going to take the plunge and have the unit repaired (I too have dozed off once or twice on those late night listening sessions). I came very close to buying a new SL1200 for about 500 beans but the price on this 1300 was just too tempting so I figure $125 plus $150 still ain't bad for a beautiful looking and sounding piece of gear. Also for what it's worth I'm using a KAB/Stanton discmaster (formerly Groovemaster) cartridge and WOW does this combo sound nice and being an integrated unit its a snap to install. Anyway my vote goes to the auto unit at least in the case of the SL1300Mk2 I just don't think you'll give up any appreciable performance, good luck!
 
I had both around 1978 maybe 76 or earlier. The 1300 came after the 1200 in my system for the very purpose of going to sleep while listening to music with out waking up to, thump,thump, thump, thump. It will serve you well :thmbsp:
 
analog addict said:
...it has the known loss of some sort of dampening fluid in the cueing mechanism, causing a free fall of the tone arm if you just flip the cueing lever...
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Thanks for the heads up on that. So far mine is working perfect, but it's good to know that this could be an issue.

legalalien said:
... I paid $125 for my unit which otherwise functions perfectly and I didn't think the auto features would be missed, however I'm going to take the plunge and have the unit repaired...
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Are you going to attempt the repair yourself?
 
kermit z said:
I have an SL-1400 which I like alot. Semi auto and all. I do notice that tapping the table causes feedback but i have an easy fix to that. I don't tap the table :D
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Now that's what I call Technical Aptitude. It's the most cost-effective I've heard in a long time and NO tweeking required.

Love it!!!!

joey
 
delihaus I'm not going to attempt it myself, if you go to the website of "joel the turntable specialist" he shows photos of whats involved with the repair and its way beyond anything I would try, besides the part needed is not even available I believe they have machined their own parts needed to fix it.
 
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