Technics SL-1800 ?

[Jim West PA]

I have an opportunity to get a Technics SL 1800, maybe minus cartridge, but know nothing about them other than they are manual (?)

Is this a table that I should have interest in ?

 

[illini]

Is it a mkii?

 

[Ilikevinyl]

One of the good vintage Technics, built solid.

 

[RJD257]

Hey Jim,

Welcome to the Technics Club !

1800: Made between 1977-1978
http://www.vintagetechnics.stereomanuals.com/turntables/sl1800.htm

1800MK2: Made between 1979-1981
http://www.vintagetechnics.stereomanuals.com/turntables/sl1800mk2.htm

..and here's the overview comparison chart for all of them....
http://www.vintagetechnics.stereomanuals.com/turntables/turntables2.htm

 

[Jim West PA]

Is it a mkii?

Not completely sure yet illini, but I don't think so.

 

[Jim West PA]

One of the good vintage Technics, built solid.

That's kind of what I figured. I am looking to get some owner's info on one.

 

[alexpigment]

Maybe a more apt question would be what turntable you currently have, if any. The 1800 is a great manual turntable, but it's possible it's a lateral step, or perhaps a step down from your current one.

On the other hand, if you don't mind having more than on table in your stable, it's probably a good addition if the price is reasonable.

 

[Jim West PA]

Hey Jim,

Welcome to the Technics Club !

1800: Made between 1977-1978
http://www.vintagetechnics.stereomanuals.com/turntables/sl1800.htm

1800MK2: Made between 1979-1981
http://www.vintagetechnics.stereomanuals.com/turntables/sl1800mk2.htm

..and here's the overview comparison chart for all of them....
http://www.vintagetechnics.stereomanuals.com/turntables/turntables2.htm

Thanks RJD. But i'm not there...YET.
I've been looking for a deal on a 1200 but i'm thinking that if the price and condition are right on this 1800 I should get it.Until my 1200 shows up :yes:

Can you explain the quartz vs servo control system.

I guess I should be asking this also....how does this 1800 stack against my Dual 1237 ?

 

[Jim West PA]

Maybe a more apt question would be what turntable you currently have, if any. The 1800 is a great manual turntable, but it's possible it's a lateral step, or perhaps a step down from your current one.

On the other hand, if you don't mind have more than on table in your stable, it's probably a good addition if the price is reasonable.

Don't mind at all.
Mmm..what is a reasonable price for this table ?
He didn't yet have one to tell me.

 

[alexpigment]

Don't mind at all.
Mmm..what is a reasonable price for this table ?
He didn't yet have one to tell me.

I'm probably not the one to ask, as I'm not a fan of fully manual tables. But still I'd say $200 at the very most. $100 would be a steal. $150 is about right. Others may feel differently, so I'd wait for them to chime in.

 

[Jim West PA]

I'm probably not the one to ask, as I'm not a fan of fully manual tables. But still I'd say $200 at the very most. $100 would be a steal. $150 is about right. Others may feel differently, so I'd wait for them to chime in.

Thanks, I suppose it depends on the cartridge and stylus too huh?

 

[alexpigment]

Correct. I'm was assuming it either comes with one or you have one lying around.

I find it very effective to bargain based on actual expenses you will have in getting it running. If there's no dustcover you can tell them how much that will cost you. If no headshell or cartridge you can tell them how much that will be. Someone might grok at a lowball offer initially but when you tell them your realistic total investment, they're more willing to negotiate.

For what it's worth I got a 1700MK2 for $70 and my total investment is closer to $300, perhaps more considering a few bad idea purchases

 

[montelatici]

Don't mind at all.
Mmm..what is a reasonable price for this table ?
He didn't yet have one to tell me.

Depends on the condition. Either the original or MKII are great TTs. They are both reliable workhorses and have excellent performance specs., better than what you have now in my opinion. I would rather not discuss prices here. PM me if you like.

 

[Jim West PA]

Correct. I'm was assuming it either comes with one or you have one lying around.

I find it very effective to bargain based on actual expenses you will have in getting it running. If there's no dustcover you can tell them how much that will cost you. If no headshell or cartridge you can tell them how much that will be. Someone might grok at a lowball offer initially but when you tell them your realistic total investment, they're more willing to negotiate.

For what it's worth I got a 1700MK2 for $70 and my total investment is closer to $300, perhaps more considering a few bad idea purchases

If I remember correctly, he said he had to borrow a cartridge in order to test the table for function. He did say there was a "cover".

This is all good advice on negotiating a price. Thank you alex.

 

[dtreize]

I own an MK1 SL-1800 and this is a great performer for the money (top notch reliability). If you're a good DIYer, you can also improve it without spending much.

 

[river25]

Hi,

..and here's the overview comparison chart for all of them....
http://www.vintagetechnics.stereomanuals.com/turntables/turntables2.htm

Interesting to see the comparisons. It makes you wonder why bother with the more expensive Technics TT when the specs between the models is so close. There has to be more to it than that?

 

[alexpigment]

Hi,Interesting to see the comparisons. It makes you wonder why bother with the more expensive Technics TT when the specs between the models is so close. There has to be more to it than that?

There are a lot of variables not mentioned in the chart, like weight, sound isolation method (rubberized bottoms, suspension, etc), motor torque, arm mass, etc. It's also hard to rate the build quality in that chart. Having owned several technics (SL-DD33, SL-D303, SL-1600MK2, SL-1700MK2), I can tell you that this chart is not good for comparing overall worthiness of a turntable.

That's not to say that any of them are better in all respects than others. The SL-DD33 I had was a lightweight middling-quality turntable but had some aspects that were much better than its more-revered brothers. The SL-DD33 did not need quartz IMO, and always detected disc sizes perfectly. Started at the right place, returned at the right place. Couldn't have been a better table if not for a few sonic shortcomings.

 

[river25]

Those items... rubberised bottoms, suspension, motor torque, arm mass, etc.... are they not measurable? These things must have been put in place to provide a better platform for spinning vinyl, and as such must have been tested to be advantageous.

When someone says turntable X is much better than Y is, at best, a subjective statement without technical data to back it up. Rumble, wow & flutter, etc are part of the solution, but without providing more info as to how the rubberised bottom or higher torque motor, etc, make a difference, which can be provided in technical results, it comes down to subjectiveness again.

 

[jdub071]

I'm also thinking of buying a Technics to replace my audio-technica a-t-pl120 which is a copy of 1200. I put a pretty good cart on it as I'm told that will make the biggest difference. I would like something like the 1600 and was wondering if I would notice the difference with my nagoaka mm mp 110. The rest of my analog system is emotiva bas-xa100, B&W 602 S2's and a 12 year old blu-ray player w/both analog and digital outs I use for cd playback.

 

[Van_Isle]

Nice thread resurrection!

I think you'd find the SL-1500 / 1600 / 1700 a nice and fairly significant step-up from the AT. I have not had one, but I suspect the MP-110 would work well with both the original and the Mk2 versions.

Keep in mind that the original version does not have the VTA adjustment on the tonearm, whereas the Mk2 uses the same tonearm, as well as motor, quartz-based speed control, etc. as the SL-1200 Mk2. The Mk2's might be your best bet to retain the same adjustability as the AT as well as a lot of the tweaks / upgrades that work on the SL-1200s can be used on the them as well.

Another option might be the SL-1301 / 1401 / 1501. Although rarer than the 1X00's and without VTA, they do have the quartz lock.

Keep in mind that with all these tables, they are 40 years old ... so maintenance and repairs and lack of spare parts is a potential issue. One more reason to focus on the Mk2s since there are still a lot (but not all) new parts available for the SL-1200's.