Technics SL-1600 mk2 - running warm?

[Packy]

Hi folks, I just picked up a 1600 mkii the other day. Sounds fantastic, runs great, auto features function beautifully. It’s basically my dream table.

I’m curious, however, if something in it is generating an inordinate amount of heat. After it’s on for an hour or so the plinth gets rather warm to the touch and even a record seems slightly warm if it’s been sitting a while. It’s not like it’s melted a disc or anything, but it is warm enough to feel compelled to ask if that’s normal.

Mind you, my previous table was powered by a wall wart so maybe I’m just not used to the heat that a built-in power supply generates?

Any advice (or, hopefully, assurance that I’m just crazy) is appreciated!

 

[cafe latte]

Does bearing have oil, does it spin freely? Otherwise I wonder if transformer is getting hot, maybe change caps in psu.
Chris

 

[Packy]

Everything seems mechanically sound. I need to check again but I’m inclined to say the heat is stronger at the back left corner of the plinth.

Luckily I got it from a shop that provides a warranty, if it comes to doing a psu recap...

 

[cafe latte]

Everything seems mechanically sound. I need to check again but I’m inclined to say the heat is stronger at the back left corner of the plinth.

Luckily I got it from a shop that provides a warranty, if it comes to doing a psu recap...

Back left is the area of the transformer. One very good upgrade for sl1200mk2 is a Kabusa psu, check with them it should work with youe 1600mk2 also I think. It will eliminate the heat issue and also be a big sonic upgrade too and remove a source of vibration ans EMF from the turntable (the transformer).
Chris

 

[steve m76]

I am reading this and realize this is the EXACT thing I notice with my sl-1610 mk2. Did you ever eliminate the warmth from your table or figure out if it was normal or not? If you fixed it, what was the fix?

 

[mackat]

My stock SL-1600MK2 ran a bit warm when I had it, as does my SP-15. I have a feeling that it is simply a sign of needing do be serviced/recapped.

 

[steve m76]

Thought I would update since this seems to be a common issue and I was able to resolve it. My 1600 mk2 ran very warm previously. I changed all of the capacitors on the main circuit board (the one that surrounds the motor) and now it seems to run totally fine. I didn’t test to know exactly which one(s) were failing, I guess they were all pretty old and just needed changed.