Technics SL-7 Latch Repair and Refurbish

[loudnoises]

I'm grateful mine didn't take nearly this much work to get running, you've got determination.

Don't know if you settled on a cart yet, I'm going to encourage you to test out an m92 with one of the biradial brush styli. It does sit against the side of the lid when at rest, but it's not stressed. Very very nice match IMHO.


Also, if you've scratches on the lid, this stuff was magical.

 

[revox-b77]

Fun read. Sounds like you are having a good time with your SL7.

 

[Myscion]

Loudnoises, To be fair it's working right now, just missing the left channel and I could easily attach a new connector. I just enjoy tinkering and making things juuuust "right". I have a cheap AT85EP in there right now. It came with an Ortofon cart but the stylus was destroyed.

I've been considering a Grado black or blue. I've had trouble finding out if there is any real difference between the two other than that the red has a 4 piece cantilever vs the blacks 3 piece. Not really sure what the practical difference is. The SL-7 should be safe from hum due to how much freaking metal is in this thing.
The Shure cartridge is probably a great option I'd just prefer to support a company that's still making p mount cartridges. I underestimated how few manufactures make P mount carts when I bought the SL-7 and would like to help keep the remaining few in business.


Thankfully the lid is free of any real scratches. There is very minor surface blemishes/wear but I can't pick it up on camera. I think I'll leave it for now, with how minor the blemishes are I'm worried I would do more harm than good.

Revox, Thanks! It's been a fun process. Better than buying one of those cheapos on amazon, Not a bad player for 90$



I've been looking at P mount carts for 78 rpm and there is a surprising number of options.

There is the BN78RPM for 47$ 1.25g - 1.5 grams tracking force with a tip diameter of 3mil.

Grado makes one for 90$. The 78C with 2.5g of tracking force with a tip diameter of 3mil.

Ortofon also makes a 78 rpm stylus I could put on the Ortofon cart I have. It needs 1.75g - 2.25g of tracking force. It's 62$. It's tip diameter is 2.55 mil.​

The tracking force for the first one seems too good to be true. Every thing I've read on 78's indicates that they need high tracking force so I'll take it with a grain of salt. The grado seems a bit pricey for a 78 stylus. Would a 78 really benefit from a higher quality stylus? Does 3 mil vs 2.55 mil mater for tip diameter? I suspect the answer vary's depending on the condition of the record.
Right now I'm leaning towards either the BN78RPM or the Ortofon stylus due to price.

 

[timind]

Wonderful refurb, congrats,

This caught my eye as I just bought an SL 7 with broken latches. According to the seller, everything else works properly so hopefully it won't require anything more than a good cleaning and lube. We'll see.

 

[loudnoises]

Wonderful refurb, congrats,

This caught my eye as I just bought an SL 7 with broken latches. According to the seller, everything else works properly so hopefully it won't require anything more than a good cleaning and lube. We'll see.

If you're going to do any cleaning in there, just buy a new tonearm belt. Odds are incredibly good that it's not up to spec anymore. $7 very well spent. If the tonearm isn't behaving this is more likely the solution than just lube and cleaning.

 

[antpaubarcar]

If you're going to do any cleaning in there, just buy a new tonearm belt. Odds are incredibly good that it's not up to spec anymore. $7 very well spent. If the tonearm isn't behaving this is more likely the solution than just lube and cleaning.

You're quite right, that is one of the things I did when I cleaned my SL L 1

 

[zebra03]

Loudnoises, To be fair it's working right now, just missing the left channel and I could easily attach a new connector. I just enjoy tinkering and making things juuuust "right". I have a cheap AT85EP in there right now. It came with an Ortofon cart but the stylus was destroyed.

I've been considering a Grado black or blue. I've had trouble finding out if there is any real difference between the two other than that the red has a 4 piece cantilever vs the blacks 3 piece. Not really sure what the practical difference is. The SL-7 should be safe from hum due to how much freaking metal is in this thing.
The Shure cartridge is probably a great option I'd just prefer to support a company that's still making p mount cartridges. I underestimated how few manufactures make P mount carts when I bought the SL-7 and would like to help keep the remaining few in business.


Thankfully the lid is free of any real scratches. There is very minor surface blemishes/wear but I can't pick it up on camera. I think I'll leave it for now, with how minor the blemishes are I'm worried I would do more harm than good.

Revox, Thanks! It's been a fun process. Better than buying one of those cheapos on amazon, Not a bad player for 90$



I've been looking at P mount carts for 78 rpm and there is a surprising number of options.

There is the BN78RPM for 47$ 1.25g - 1.5 grams tracking force with a tip diameter of 3mil.

Grado makes one for 90$. The 78C with 2.5g of tracking force with a tip diameter of 3mil.

Ortofon also makes a 78 rpm stylus I could put on the Ortofon cart I have. It needs 1.75g - 2.25g of tracking force. It's 62$. It's tip diameter is 2.55 mil.​

The tracking force for the first one seems too good to be true. Every thing I've read on 78's indicates that they need high tracking force so I'll take it with a grain of salt. The grado seems a bit pricey for a 78 stylus. Would a 78 really benefit from a higher quality stylus? Does 3 mil vs 2.55 mil mater for tip diameter? I suspect the answer vary's depending on the condition of the record.
Right now I'm leaning towards either the BN78RPM or the Ortofon stylus due to price.

Seriously , nice work . Hope you enjoy the fruits of your labor .

 

[eyewanders]

This may well be one of the greatest SL-7 threads on the site now. Well done my good sir.
The fabricated rear connection replacement for the unit's hard-wires is enough to instill jealousy in this SL-7 owner.

FWIW, this hasn't been my main table for a while now, but it's one I've kept (only two in the house and it'll stay that way) and haven't been able to part with.
I went through quite a few linears years ago and stayed with the SL-7. I went through twice as many cart/stylus combos and the one in my sig is where I landed, preferring it hands down. The LPGear Vividline (line contact) replacement mounted on the AT85EP style cart brings those to serious life. There's some sort of great synergy between those AT carts, that stylus and that tonearm.

Great table, you've made it better. Cheers.