Michael T.
Active Member
What are some thoughts on a technics SL-D3 with a Pickering xv-15 cart? I've read some decent stuff and it looks like the Pickering is a decent cart. This will be my first turntable so I have nothing to compare it to.
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Technics SL-D3
- Thread starter Michael T.
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Balifly
Listening
Michael T.
Active Member
Thanks for your input. I'm picking it up tomorrow. The guy will let me see and hear it before I pay. He says it's in very nice condition.
The Technics SL-D3 is my daily player. I've read only good things about it , and I like it. Same goes for that cartridge.
Michael T.
Active Member
Also, the brush on the cart, is it a gimmick or is it useful? This is the only cart I've seen it on.
Michael T.
Active Member
I picked it up. It is in really good shape. I'll post a little video of it. I ended up taking the brush off. After readjusting the tracking weight there doesn't seem to be a difference, to my untrained ears.
Michael T.
Active Member
This is a temp setup until we get the office/media room reorganized. Just needed to test it out before my wife wrapped it up for my birthday.
WillVT
Super Member
The SL-D3 is my main table. I think it's a great table. I replaced the cables because the originals were kind of messed up. It won't win any awards in the looks department, but it's definitely a solid player. Purists may not, but I like the automatic features, and I like that the stop/start button is outside the cover.
Oh, and also if you do have the cover, the tabs will probably break if they haven't already. There is a really good tutorial here somewhere about a simple elegant fix, using aluminum angle stock.
Oh, and also if you do have the cover, the tabs will probably break if they haven't already. There is a really good tutorial here somewhere about a simple elegant fix, using aluminum angle stock.
It's not a gimmick. Some people like using them, and some don't. A Google search will no doubt result in tons of info.
Michael T.
Active Member
Thanks for all the feedback. I do have the cover, and the hinges are fine.
I think i got a decent deal for $150. I'm happy anyway.
I think i got a decent deal for $150. I'm happy anyway.
jeffpaletz
AK Subscriber
The tracking weight in your video shows it's at 2.3 grams. Did you balance the arm and is that the tracking weight recommended for that cartridge? I'm not familiar with that cartridge but most cartridges track between 1.5 and 2 grams.
Good eye! I noticed this as well and believe that the recommended tracking force is quite low, as in .75 to 1.5 grams. Did the previous owner have the user manual for the table? It contains instructions referring to how the arm is set up including how to balance with the counter-weight. I had a very similar model and never really liked this aspect of the design. I think you may well be better-served with a scale, either the mechanical Shure SFG-2 or a digital gauge. Never could get the calibrations on that tonearm to be very accurate but the gauge eliminates all that. If you need the owner/user manual, the link above that member Balifly kindly provided will have one if you scroll down a bit. Nice looking setup by the way! Enjoy!
Michael T.
Active Member
I read that the cartridge tracks at .75 to 1.5 without the brush and to add a gram for the brush, but have adjusted it back to 1.25 after removing the brush.
I've been preparing for this for a couple months and watched many videos on various topics including setting tracking weight and anti skating. Just wanted wait I thought was the best deal.
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Michael T.
Active Member
Thanks. I can't wait to get it in my media room and play it through my newly restored Ar-2ax's
Michael T.
Active Member
Since I live in small town Indiana, there isnt a good record shop within an hour or more. So I wanted to check out my stylus myself to see what kind of condition it is in. The only thing i have that can magnify more than my reading glasses is my camera. Unfortunately it doesnt seem to be quite enough. I am posting a few of the best pics i have and hopefully it will be enough for someone to give an educated guess. from what i have seen online, it seems to be pretty good. I just need a bit more magnification to really zero in on the tip.
Thank you all for your help.
Thank you all for your help.
