Technics SL-1500 channel (mostly) out

anytune

anytune

Super Member
Picked up a Technics SL-1500 at the thrift over the weekend. PLatter didn't spin at first, so sprayed all the switches and contacts with Deoxit and oiled the spindel and it started working! Here's the odd thing. While playing a second LP, the left channel pretty much quit. There is a little sound, but barely audible. Right channel is okay. Switching the cables reversed the problem. Tried two different headshell/cartridge assemblies that work on my main TT. No improvement on the SL-1500.
Just to be sure it wasn't my preamp or any other electronics in the chain, I reconnected my main TT. Sounded fine. The problem definitely is in the SL-1500's output. Does anyone have any experience with a TT channel nearly failing, not related to the cartridge/stylus? Any input appreciated.
 
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Congrates on your SL-1500. These things are tanks :) I highly recommend doing the Petra cable swap. Its not hard and sounds much better that the old originals. I did my SL-1400 last week and am thrilled with the results.
 
I will be replacing the cables on my SL1500 as well. I noticed that the same cart gives different sound on two otherwise identical SL1500 I have. Both seem to suffer from understated bass.
 
SaSi said:
I will be replacing the cables on my SL1500 as well. I noticed that the same cart gives different sound on two otherwise identical SL1500 I have. Both seem to suffer from understated bass.
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try using a home made thinner mat. will make the arm run a bit below parallel.
in other words ass down. lol:D
 
Stanton, thanks for the pic and thread. Very helpful. I tried ETI's easy fix first -- replacing the RCA plugs -- no change. So I'm off to get some Petra cables to resolder. Will report back. My thanks to all for your input.
 
We are jammin'!

Well, after a few false starts, I'm happy to report both channels are up and running. Bad Co. never sounded so good! :thmbsp: What happened along the way was a bit frustrating and kinda freaky. I first soldered in a new left-side cable, replacing the one that I knew was bad. Put it back together and wouldn't you know -- the right side wouldn't work. Took it apart and soldered a new right channel cabel. Figured we were home free. No -- the left channel was out again. How can this be? I took it all apart, rechecked the connections and sure enough, one of the left side wires had come loose. More solder. Screwed it back together. This time for sure, I'm thinking. You guessed -- right channel not working. I was this close to tossing the thing out the window.
After taking a mental break, I rechecked all the connections. Nothing amiss this time that I can see. I'm pretty much out of options. I reattached the bottom, but this time did not replace the metal plate that fits over the wiring assembly. (The cables are taped together securely.) Bingo! Both channels are cranking. Go figure. My thanks to everyone for your wisdom and assistance.
 
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