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Technics SL-23 or Technics SL-QD2

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dpg3

Well-Known Member
Which is the better TT??

The Technics SL-23:
Belt drive with pitch, anti skate and strobe.
This table is in mint, shiny new like condition.
It has Ortofon Mark II cartridge stylus combo.
Looks good, plays good, sounds great.
Cost: $100.00

Technics SL-QD2
Fully automatic, it's DD Quartz driven
p-mount cartridge
Cost: $80.00
 
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I am a fan of the SL-23. Very nice underrated table. With the ability to swap headshells, so carts is a big plus. It is semi auto so lifts at the end of the record. The plinth is not substantial, but it sounds very good. I do not have experience with the SL-QD2 but I personally am not a big fan of the p mount tables. But if ease of operation is what your looking for, that would work.
 
My very first table way back in 1976 was a SL-23. Always sounded good. I agree with the others, best to stay away from P-mount if you can.
 
Thanks everyone, I am definitely leaning towards the SL-23!! I'll let you know which one I buy. There's a local shop with about 6 TTs, that I have to checkout as well!!
 
I checked out a lot of other TT but I think I'm going to get the SL-23, which is said to be in mint condition. A little nervous about the timing issues with these but hopefully I won't have that problem!!
 
The small dc motor on the sl-23 is the achillies' heel; I have to recommend the qd2 based on that. :scratch2:
 
It's not very often a "mint condition" SL-23 comes around. I had one I purchased new in 1976 and I wish I had never sold it. I think it is the overall best Technics belt-drive turntable ever made when you consider the whole package. It's a great collector's piece if nothing else. The SL-QD2 will give you better speed stability, wow & flutter and rumble, but those are easier to find in good condition. I sold my SL-23 back in the early '80s to get an SL-7 linear tracking model. I had a Shure V15 Type IV on my SL-23 and it sounded fantastic. As a matter of fact, I had to upgrade the SL-7 with a Shure V15LT to get the same performance level I was getting out of the SL-23. If you don't like the SL-23 after you get it, PM me. I would love to have one in mint condition again.

David
 
Decibel_116 said:
It's not very often a "mint condition" SL-23 comes around. I had one I purchased new in 1976 and I wish I had never sold it. I think it is the overall best Technics belt-drive turntable ever made when you consider the whole package. It's a great collector's piece if nothing else. The SL-QD2 will give you better speed stability, wow & flutter and rumble, but those are easier to find in good condition. I sold my SL-23 back in the early '80s to get an SL-7 linear tracking model. I had a Shure V15 Type IV on my SL-23 and it sounded fantastic. As a matter of fact, I had to upgrade the SL-7 with a Shure V15LT to get the same performance level I was getting out of the SL-23. If you don't like the SL-23 after you get it, PM me. I would love to have one in mint condition again.

David
Click to expand...

Thanks David for the info, I'm definitely going to buy the SL-23 if it is still available. I really appreciate your help!!
 
Just hooked up the Technics SL-23, playing Pink Floyd-Dark Side of the Moon 180gram vinyl.Will take me a few spins to get the feel of it but sounds amazing so far.
The guy I bought it off was an engineer and he has some nice gear, could've spent the afternoon talking to him!!
Very glad I made the purchase.
 

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WOW! That really does look mint! Glad you're enjoying it and sounds good. They really are a quality built TT despite the motor. Why they skimped on the motor is a head scratcher.
 
They are pretty nice tables but I've found that a lot of the Technics of that era and maybe the same motor actually seize up so badly the motor won't spin. However if you oil it you should be fine. I've brought back at least a couple of SL-23s and some others from apparent death.
 
dpg3 said:
Just hooked up the Technics SL-23, playing Pink Floyd-Dark Side of the Moon 180gram vinyl.Will take me a few spins to get the feel of it but sounds amazing so far.
The guy I bought it off was an engineer and he has some nice gear, could've spent the afternoon talking to him!!
Very glad I made the purchase.
Click to expand...

Nice! Congratulations! Hope you enjoy it for a long time to come.

David
 
Montycat said:
They are pretty nice tables but I've found that a lot of the Technics of that era and maybe the same motor actually seize up so badly the motor won't spin. However if you oil it you should be fine. I've brought back at least a couple of SL-23s and some others from apparent death.
Click to expand...

Yeah, I put a drop of Anderol 465 into the SL-23's motor every now and then as a preventative measure to keep things running smooth. I've had no issues with it at all.
 
I got a SL-23a for free yesterday. It is the black version. It is mint condition appearance wise. When I hooked it up it wouldn't spin. I sprayed the power and pitch knobs with Deoxit which solved that problem. When I played the test record, the left channel had an annoying hum. After basic troubleshooting, I determined that the RCA cables were bad. I replaced them with a pair from my old SL-D2. Table plays good now. It came with an Audio Technica P-mount cartridge with adapter on a light aftermarket headshell. Realizing how light the headshell was, I decided to bring out my Shure V15 type III cartridge. I mounted it on the headshell and set it up. It sounds incredible on this table! The light headshell made it possible. I am very happy with this table.
 
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Joshewah said:
Yeah, I put a drop of Anderol 465 into the SL-23's motor every now and then as a preventative measure to keep things running smooth. I've had no issues with it at all.
Click to expand...


I have had sn SL-23 for a few years. Runs great. sewing machine oil once a year seems to do the trick for me. No issues.
 
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