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Technics SL-Q2 vs. SL-Q3

Estring

Estring

Shepherd
I was planning on having the rca cables on my sl-q3 replaced by an rca jack in order to use higher grade cables. I have an opportunity to purchase an sl-q2 and I see that it already has the rca input jacks present. All things being equal, what is the quality comparison between these two tables? I found that brand new, the sl-q3 went for about 40 dollars more. Any help would be appreciated.
 
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AFAIK, the only difference it that the SL-Q3 has an auto repeat function, with the corresponding switch on the front panel.
 
Hi,

The SL-Q 2 is semi-automatic (Auto return) and the SL-Q 3 is fully automatic. Both are otherwise the same machine which is excellent.
 
urizen and kent are both correct.
the Q2 is a semi-auto with no auto repeat.
the Q3 is a fully-auto with auto repeat.
those are the only differences.
 
Try damping the unit by packing 5-6 lbs of non hardening clay under the platform, take care not to interfere with the tonearm return mechanism or restrict air flow to the motor. This made quite a difference in my old SL-Q2!
 
I've also got an SL-Q3 that I bought new many moons ago that has been in storage. I'm planning on pulling it out and getting it setup again to give me some more vinyl options. What are you guys using for cartridges on yours and have you been happy with them?

The Shure V15 mk.V that I currently have mounted in my AR started on Technics, but went to the AR when I upgraded tables. I have an older Grado MTE+ currently mounted on the SL-Q3, but the compliance of the cartridge doesn't seem to be a good match for the arm. So, I'm looking for recommendations at around $100 or so. My listening preferences are classical, chamber music, jazz, blues, bluegrass, rock & roll, etc.
 
I've got an SL-Q2 and installed an Ortofon OM 10 Super Phono Cartridge. It ran me about $70 about a year ago. Sounds great, but it was a pain to install and until I got the alignment just right, I had some problems with distorted sound, especially on the inner portions of records. After the adjustment, though, I couldn't be happier. It has a really nice, crisp quality to it.
 
SLQ2DDTT.jpg
 
I have a SL Q2 also-it's a very nice table with great specs and excellent quality. It came with a Shure M97HE from back in the day. I bought a new stylus for it. I also use an Ortofon OM 10, AT440MLa, and Shure V15 III, which is my standard. I bought a second SL Q2 for my son, which arrived with an AT14, so people were using fairly high end cartridges when these came out. I have a number of headshells to interchange.
 
great pic, thx

My ProJect tt took a dump last week, I will be recruiting my fathers 1980 SL-Q3 as a back up.

Quick question: does this unit have detachable interconnects?
 
Just returned home with the SL-Q3. It's flawless even after 12 years of storage. Not too bad for free..really pleased.

Wondering if the tonearm can manage my 6.0 gram Clearaudio Aurum Beta wood cart, instead of the stock 5.3 g AudioTechnica...:scratch2:
 
I'd give the Clearaudio a shot! I've had good luck with the OM 10, DL-110, & Grado Black on the same table. If you search the AK archives, there's a post about using a cheap component video cable to replace the OEM RCA cables- I'm going to give it a try!
 
I thought the factory installed cart was an AudioTechnica ...I pulled the black sleeve thing down and the logo is not AT. Looks like a bird or something. Ortofon have these pivoting stylus protectors that swing down...

This pic was as close as I could get before my POS camera goes out of focus, even on macro....look like anything anyone has seen before?
 

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