I believe you might be right at that. (Subsequently confirmed about the Mk 2). Yet, I seem to recall hearing it said that the original ('mk 1')1300 was basically a version of the unsuspended 1200. That might or might not have been so for the original, but apparently the Mk 2 versions
are suspended.
Still, here's an opinion from a Techie fan from the same thread I'll link below:
"
1300 and 1400 models I don't recommend. Especially Mk II models. Cueing and automation have been known issues. No parts to fix them. SL-1600 Mk II best automatic of the lot performance and reliability wise. Equal to the original SL-1200 in performance and build but not the Mk II upwards."
https://www.vinylengine.com/turntable_forum/viewtopic.php?f=16&t=41255
And, for anyone interested in the various models, I'll paste from my files a post or two;
·
Technics Direct Drive SL 1100 - 1800 models

by
Japi Roelofs » 21 Oct 2011 13:48
Hi all,
this has probably been done before, but since I keep searching for the SL-1*00 model variations (and forgetting them) I figured I'd make a summary of the seventies DD models starting with SL-110/1100 and ending with SL-1800MK2. This list is about functionality variations, I didn't include weight, year of manufacture etc. I think it's pretty accurate but I might be wrong... any suggestions are welcome. Here goes:
Technics Direct Drive Turntables SL 1100 – 1800 models
SL-110 : Manual / Servo control / without tonearm
SL-1100 : Manual / Servo control / Epa-110 tonearm
===================================================================
SL-120 : Manual / Servo control / without tonearm
SL-1200 : Manual / Servo control / Epa-120 tonearm
SL-1200MK2 : Manual / Quartz locked / pitch fader / stylus illuminator / adjustable arm height
===================================================================
SL-1300 : Fully automatic / Servo control / memo-repeat
SL-1350 : Fully Automatic / like SL-1300 + record changer mechanism
SL-1301 : Fully Automatic / Quartz locked / no pitch control / memo-repeat
SL-1300MK2 : Fully automatic / Quartz locked / digital pitch / memo-repeat / auto-return on/off / adjustable arm height
===================================================================
SL-1400 : Semi-automatic / Servo control
SL-1401 : Semi-automatic / Quartz locked / no pitch control
SL-1400MK2 : Semi-automatic / Quartz locked / digital pitch / auto-return on/off / adjustable arm height
===================================================================
SL-150 : Manual / Servo control / without tonearm
SL-1500 : Manual / Servo control
SL-1501 : Manual / Quartz locked / no pitch control
SL-150MK2 : Manual / Quartz locked / digital pitch / without tonearm
SL-1500MK2 : Manual / Quartz locked / digital pitch / adjustable arm height
===================================================================
SL-1600 : Fully automatic / Servo control / spring suspension / memo-repeat
SL-1650 : Fully automatic / like SL-1600 + record changer mechanism
SL-1600MK2 : Fully automatic / Quartz locked / spring suspension / repeat play / motor-cue (knob + lever) / infrared auto disc size detection / stylus illuminator / adjustable arm height
===================================================================
SL-1700 : Semi-automatic / Servo control / spring suspension
SL-1700MK2 : Semi-automatic / Quartz locked / spring suspension / motor-cue (no lever) / auto-return on/off / stylus illuminator / adjustable arm height
===================================================================
SL-1800 : Manual / Servo control / spring suspension
SL-1800MK2 : Manual / Quartz locked / spring suspension / stylus illuminator / adjustable arm height
All MK2 models have adjustable tonearm height, however the 1200, 1600, 1700 and 1800 MK2’s have the ‘universal’ type tonearm with a rotating ring at the base, while the 1300, 1400 and 1500 MK2’s have a knob that can be tightenend and loosened to allow up and down movement of the arm.
Fully automatic models have a device to select the disc size (either manually or, with the SL-1600MK2, automatically) and the tonearm will be raised and transported to the desired spot by a motor mechanism. They can also be operated manually.
Semi-automatic models have an auto-return function (the tonearm will be returned to the armrest after completion or interruption of play).
Name variations: “10” instead of “00” indicates different color (black): i.e. SL-1300 = silver, SL-1310 = black; SL-1400 = silver, SL-1410 = black etc. SL-1360 = black SL-1350, I'm not sure if there is an SL-1660 though.
Cheers!
Japi
·
Re: Technics Direct Drive SL 1100 - 1800 models

by
DiamondWindow » 01 Jan 2012 18:56
SL-13*0MK2
SL-14*0MK2
SL-15*0MK2
all have spring suspension/sub-chassis
SL-150MK2
suspensionless w/ thick 4-bolt, wooden armboard
NOTE: All have balanced (underside drilled) platters
https://www.vinylengine.com/turntable_forum/viewtopic.php?f=16&t=41255