Technics SL-1500 (MK1)

[gurdyp]

I've seen a listing (near where I live) for an updated Technics SL-1500 (MK1).

The guy wants $450. I'm wanting to know, is this a good deal? Anyone have any advice here? Thanks!

Here's all the info he provided (I'll include a picture too):

Technics SL-1500 (MK1) "National Panasonic" model in excellent condition.

Super clean platinum!

This turntable has been completely overhauled.

The platter has just been oiled, the electronics have been cleaned and the audio cables have been changed to better quality (HOSA) cables.

The arm has been cleaned, insulated and the cueing lever damping fluid has been changed.

The feet have been upgraded and the cover replaced (original and hardware also included in the sale).

The plinth has been insulated and made heavier to cut the resonance.

A beautiful, good and heavy table built like a tank!

I am including the cork mat, weight and a vintage Shure M91ed cartridge.

 

[markshan]

Seems like a good deal as long as the mods were done skillfully. Example: none of the plinth dampening will increase the operating temperature.

 

[gurdyp]

Seems like a good deal as long as the mods were done skillfully. Example: none of the plinth dampening will increase the operating temperature.

Awesome, thanks for that!

Since it's around the same price, do you think it would it be better to go with the above Technics, or a brand new entry level(ish) belt drive like the Pro-ject T1 (bhttps://www.sonos.com/en-ca/shop/pro-ject-t1-phono-sb-turntable-white.html) or an Orbit U Turn? (https://uturnaudio.com/products/orbit-plus-turntable)

Thanks again for the advice!

 

[Yodathedog]

$300-$350 sounds like a slightly better price from what I see on eBay. $450 would be the upper end of perfectness.

 

[SaSi]

Some like belt drive turntables more, but imho, it's pretty hard to beat the direct drive Technics TTs from the 70s and 80s. The tonearms were not low mass and would not mate well with very high compliance carts, something that is extinct now. But they work excellent with carts like an OM20 or any moving coil one from Ortofon, so they are a solid platform. Almost nothing beats their ultra low friction of the tonearm bearings.

The damping material added to the plinth is a must for this TT. If done correctly it will be a plus. Being a manual TT, nothing to worry about with tonearm automation.

 

[markshan]

Awesome, thanks for that!

Since it's around the same price, do you think it would it be better to go with the above Technics, or a brand new entry level(ish) belt drive like the Pro-ject T1 (bhttps://www.sonos.com/en-ca/shop/pro-ject-t1-phono-sb-turntable-white.html) or an Orbit U Turn? (https://uturnaudio.com/products/orbit-plus-turntable)

Thanks again for the advice!

I'm a huge DD guy so I would definitely go for the Technics. UTurn is a cool concept for entry level tables, but very insubstantial compared to that unit.

 

[markshan]

Some like belt drive turntables more, but imho, it's pretty hard to beat the direct drive Technics TTs from the 70s and 80s. The tonearms were not low mass and would not mate well with very high compliance carts, something that is extinct now. But they work excellent with carts like an OM20 or any moving coil one from Ortofon, so they are a solid platform. Almost nothing beats their ultra low friction of the tonearm bearings.

The damping material added to the plinth is a must for this TT. If done correctly it will be a plus. Being a manual TT, nothing to worry about with tonearm automation.

I have an AT 440 on my Denon with a similar arm.

FWIW I also use a cork mat.

 

[gurdyp]

Thanks for your words of wisdom here!

 

[gurdyp]

There’s also another turntable that’s available near me. It’s a Platine Toshiba SR-630 Turntable, All Metal by Micro Seiki.

Hard to find info — did find some here on AK. Sounds pretty cool.

Here’s what the guy said:

Brushed aluminum sides ,1/8 inch steel plate on top 100% no plastic. Direct drive, fully manual top end turntable, in mint condition. Brand new Audio Technica AT VM 95e cartridge and stylus. Spins at 33.3 quartz locked , can also be bypassed and adjusted manually. Not much info on this turntable, it weighs in at 32 pounds, has an S type tone arm, engineered and built by Micro Seiki for Toshiba. The direct drive motor is top notch.

He wants $385. He also said, though, that the light for the strobe needs replacement and the dampening fluid needs to be topped off . otherwise the table would sell for 600$ (he reckons).

I like the look of it! But in this case it feels like the Technics would be the better deal. What do you guys think?

 

[markshan]

I love 32 pound turntables. I don't know anything about that one. What is it doing or not doing that leads him to believe it needs dampening fluid?

I just read that it's quartz locked so that is a big benefit over the Technics. Since it's quartz the strobe is almost a non-issue. Do you have a preference of manual vs semi auto?

 

[gurdyp]

No preference, really! Just want best sound and value for money.

 

[XplicitActs]

Get both and set up 2 different systems in 2 different rooms.

Easy peasy.

 

[silvernutsaq]

The SL-1500 with the SME 3000 tonearm us a killer unit. Every bit as good as a SL-1200, just not a DJ table. I have a 1100a (fully manual) and a 1301 and they are well built and easy to work on. As far as price look at it this way, say you found one for $250, but the cables were suspect and it had some minor glitches with queuing or whatever. A tech would charge about $200 to bring it up to spec with fresh cables and you'd have a great unit.