Technics SL-150 MK2 with Syntec S-220 Tonearm General Questions

[MCM_Fan]

I just picked up a Technics SL-150 MK2 with a Syntec S-220 (also called Japan Piezo PU-402) tonearm and a Stanton 500 cartridge. This was formerly in broadcast use (until at least 1986), but is overall quite clean and fully operational.

I have downloaded the manual for both the turntable and tonearm, but have a couple basic questions.

Mine did not come with a dustcover. Will the SL-150 MK2 accept the same dustcover as other Technics models? If so, which ones?

Mine came with a very thin, dusty old felt slipmat. Did the SL-150 MK2 originally come with a rubber mat If so, which one? Same as the SL-1200?

Should I get the urge to upgrade the arm, will the SL-150 MK2 take the same arm boards as the SL-1200? <y table has the rosewood trim and the matching, original rosewood arm board - which I love. Looks great in a midcentury modern or Danish modern setting.

I have seen the Denon DL-103 recommended as a good match for this arm. Mine has the original lightweight stamped metal headshell. Due to the low compliance of the DL-103, should I replace the headshell with something a little heavier? If so, any specific recommendations?

 

[stratokaster]

I believe the turntable uses the same dustcover as the SL-1300mk2, SL-1400mk2 and SL-1500mk2, part number SFAD132-01A

The mat is part number SFTG170M01 or SFTG170-01.

The SL1200 dustcover is SFAD122-01A and the mat is SFTG172, no idea what the difference between them is The SL1200 mat is probably a bit smaller in diameter because the platter has a lip which is not present on the SL-1500 etc. platter.

 

[adnick]

It might be a good idea to change the headshell, but that’s a very good arm….

Andy

 

[MCM_Fan]

I believe the turntable uses the same dustcover as the SL-1300mk2, SL-1400mk2 and SL-1500mk2, part number SFAD132-01A

The mat is part number SFTG170M01 or SFTG170-01.

The SL1200 dustcover is SFAD122-01A and the mat is SFTG172, no idea what the difference between them is The SL1200 mat is probably narrower because the platter has a lip which is not present on the SL-1500 etc. platter.

Thanks for the detailed response. I will look for the correct mat and dustcover. I also have a nice GEM Dandy turntable mat from George Merrill that I can use until I fond the correct Technics mat.

 

[MCM_Fan]

It might be a good idea to change the headshell, but that’s a very good arm….

Andy

Thanks, I was thinking the same. I've never been a fan of the lightweight stamped steel hedshells. They seem like they would invite resonance. I do have an Orsonic AV-1 headshell I can try on the Syntec arm. It's probably a little heavier and definitely much less resonant.

 

[adnick]

Excellent headshell should work very well….

 

[Kit Carson]

The SL-150Mk2 is an excellent table and was used as you said for bradcast purposes with some having Technics EPA tonearms. Well worth bringing back to original configuration with rubber mat etc. The Orsonic headshell will be a good match for the Syntec TA. Down the road if you should choose you can swap out armboards for a different tonearm. I consider the SL-150Mk2 a sleeper that was good enough for the pros.

 

[MCM_Fan]

The SL-150Mk2 is an excellent table and was used as you said for bradcast purposes with some having Technics EPA tonearms. Well worth bringing back to original configuration with rubber mat etc. The Orsonic headshell will be a good match for the Syntec TA. Down the road if you should choose you can swap out armboards for a different tonearm. I consider the SL-150Mk2 a sleeper that was good enough for the pros.

It has a very solid feel and even thought it probably hasn't been serviced since 1986, all the functions work correctly, the speed locks quickly and it is dead silent during operation. I had it's ancestor, the original SL-1500, which I thought was a good, easy to service basic table. The biggest weakness was the lightweight composite plastic plinth. It also required cleaning the speed pots, internal and external, to get it to hold speed. In addition to the quartz lock, the SL-150MK2 is a much more elegant design with all controls accessible with the dust cover closed.

WRT to arm boards, I love the original rosewood arm board that matches the wood trim around the base of the table. It's just such and elegant looking design. I haven't taken any photos of mine yet, but for those unfamiliar with what this table looks like, here's a few I found online with various tone arms configurations:

It kind of looks like a Bang & Olufsen on steroids!

 

[MCM_Fan]

Excellent headshell should work very well….

I haven't tried mounting and aligning any cartridges on the Orsonic headshell on the Syntek tonearm, but it looks like it will also provide an additional 4 - 5mm of forward travel should I wish to try a Lofgen A alignment on the rather short tonearm. Nice to have options.

 

[MCM_Fan]

I'm thinking about getting a Denon DL-103 plus one of these for use with the Orsonic headshell and the Syntek S-220 arm. For those familiar with this tonearm, is the DL-103 a good match?

Also, I'd also like to get a cueing lever for use with this tonearm. Any recommendations?

 

[Kit Carson]

I did a Google search of the S-220 and cartridge and a few threads from AK and other audio sites popped up with recommendations, the DL-103 was one of them. As for a tonearm lift Audio Technica offers the AT-6006R Safety Raiser. I'd try to contact AK member Kent Teffeteller who maintains radio station turntables and must of run across a few S-220 and could recommend cartridges/headshells. The S-220 was a very popular broadcast tonearm and parts like headshells should still be floating around along with cartridges.

 

[adnick]

Believe @BillWojo (Bill) is running a 103 on his S-220, not sure if he’s running a lift or not…

Are you looking for a vintage lift?

VR
Andy

 

[MCM_Fan]

I did a Google search of the S-220 and cartridge and a few threads from AK and other audio sites popped up with recommendations, the DL-103 was one of them. As for a tonearm lift Audio Technica offers the AT-6006R Safety Raiser. I'd try to contact AK member Kent Teffeteller who maintains radio station turntables and must of run across a few S-220 and could recommend cartridges/headshells. The S-220 was a very popular broadcast tonearm and parts like headshells should still be floating around along with cartridges.

Believe @BillWojo (Bill) is running a 103 on his S-220, not sure if he’s running a lift or not…

Are you looking for a vintage lift?

VR
Andy

Thanks for the replies. I'm looking for a cueing lever, not a safety raiser. It doesn't have to be vintage, just the right dimensions to work with the Syntec arm. If I get a new DL-103, I'd prefer to not risk damaging the cantilever by cueing it manually. Something similar to this:

The table came with an original headshell and a Stanton 500 cartridge, but I'd prefer to move up a bit in performance. As mentioned, I have an Orsonic AV-1 headshell, but any decent SME/Technics style headshell will work with the Syntec S-220 tonearm. I'm leaning toward a DL-103 due to the fact that like the arm, it was intended for broadcast use. So, I assume they are a good match. Also, the lack of anti-skate on the tonearm has me leaning toward a conical over a more advanced stylus profile

 

[Montycat]

I think the SL-150 is a beautiful table, but then I might be biased. Here's mine.

 

[MCM_Fan]

I think the SL-150 is a beautiful table, but then I might be biased. Here's mine.

View attachment 2909144

I agree, a beautiful table that is also dead silent in operation. At one point, I had an original SL-1500 - a great basic table that is inexpensive and very easy to service, but the Mk2 takes everything to another level.

 

[Kit Carson]

MCM Fan I looked around and from what I can see originally the S-220 came with a light weight headshell and you have the original one. The Orsonic may be too heavy. Due to the weight of the tonearm antiskate shouldn't be needed. As for the cueing lever like the one you pictured they are available only problem Syntec/Pizeo never offered that option to mount a cueing lever, you would need a custom mounting bracket made to attach the lever to the tonearm. Also ran across info that the Stanton 500A cartridge was used for broadcast. If it will work out the DL-103 should be a sonic step up,

 

[mh1947]

Fantastic table from the late 1970s and early 1980s. A friend of mine had one and it sounded superb, so it had more than just the fabulous looks. I think he had a Grace arm and cartridge. Sound wise, It hung in there with some of the more expensive decks. Great find.

 

[Kit Carson]

Montycat very nice example of the SL-150Mk2.with SME arm.

 

[MCM_Fan]

MCM Fan I looked around and from what I can see originally the S-220 came with a light weight headshell and you have the original one. The Orsonic may be too heavy. Due to the weight of the tonearm antiskate shouldn't be needed. As for the cueing lever like the one you pictured they are available only problem Syntec/Pizeo never offered that option to mount a cueing lever, you would need a custom mounting bracket made to attach the lever to the tonearm. Also ran across info that the Stanton 500A cartridge was used for broadcast. If it will work out the DL-103 should be a sonic step up,

According to a recent thread on this forum, the split weights of the Syntec S-220 allow it to accommodate a wide range of headshells, from light to heavy.

From that thread:

"Fantastic design, even with the relatively short effective length, the split counter weight let’s one vary headshell weight thereby changing the arms effective mass, one can use a very light to heavy headshell."

In another post in that thread, @BillWojo mentioned the DL-103 worked well on the Syntec S-220 with a headshell + hardware that weighs 11.1g. According to my notes, the Orsonic AV-1 + hardware weighs 10.3g. So, it should work splendidly.

Edit: due to the buggy forum software, those direct links are not currently working. This link will take you to the first post in the thread. From there, you can scroll down to post #3 and #18 to read the comments I referenced.

However, adding The Cap, adds 3.5g to the weight of the already heavy DL-103 (8.5g). So, it looks like I have two choices: run the stock DL-103 in the Orsonic headshell or run it with The Cap in a lighter headshell (I have an original Technics 7g headshell that will likely work). My first attempt will be the stock DL-103 in the Orsonic headshell.

 

[JP]

syntec s-220 arm cartridge/stylus recommendations please!

I have been hunting for a tonearm for my rek o kut b12gh and have decided to pick up a syntec s-220 new. I own several shure 91ed carts and I also have a low compliance shure m7d cart. Could anyone tell me which cart would be more suitable to this tonearm/rek o kut combo? I have been...

audiokarma.org

syntec s-220 arm cartridge/stylus recommendations please!

I have been hunting for a tonearm for my rek o kut b12gh and have decided to pick up a syntec s-220 new. I own several shure 91ed carts and I also have a low compliance shure m7d cart. Could anyone tell me which cart would be more suitable to this tonearm/rek o kut combo? I have been...

audiokarma.org