There is only one bad thing about the 1500, and that is that it's not spring mounted and the "plinth" rings a bit. However, that can be totally fixed by opening it up and gluing bitumen sheets carefully cut in fitting pieces inside the top cover and the sides. Or use modelling clay, as many have done. I wouldn't risk using the latter as I am not sure how it will behave when it's dry - I fear it will ring even more, like a ceramic or porcelain pot does.
The tonearms on these 1x00 turntables are very under rated. The geometry is good and vertical and lateral friction is among the best, better than most well respected tonearms. The mass is not low so a high compliance cartridge, like a Shure V15III or IV would not be ideal. But they make a great platform for an average compliance MC cartridge.
The 1500 is FG servo rather than quartz lock but it has pich control and integrated stroboscope on the platter and it's not a big deal to fix the pitch 2-3 times a month if needed. A weak point is the pots on the plinth and the trimmers under the platter, they would need some cleaning after 30-40 years but once that is done, all is well. Having said that, w&f is non existent, rumble below the record surface noise and the DD motor has plenty of torque and offers decades of trouble free operation. The only thing it doesn't have and is not just marketing gimmick is height adjustment. So if you use a large cart, you may end up with the wrong tracking angle and that does sound different and worse when it's wrong.
On mine, I have replaced the feet with modified feet from an SL-1200MkII. They are not spring loaded but more like cushioned and that helps a lot. Totally different behavior.
And it looks good as well.
However, my favorite TT from that Technics range is the SL-1310MkII, the black version. It doesn't have the visible strobe platter (very eighties and "passe" for my taste) and instead it gives you the strobe checker under the platter through a glass prism. And pitch control is by -/+ switches with digital read-out - I kinda like that for a vintage TT. The weak spot of those TTs is the tonearm lift and a plastic part that cracks. A major issue a few years ago but a no issue now in the 3D printing days as a good replacement part (in it's version 2) is available cheaply. And it has a tonearm height adjustment which is a step up from the first version.
If you want the best in practical terms, performance and flexibility, the 1600MkII (or 1700 or 1800) are even better as they have chassis - sub chassis - with suspension, the best tonearm height adjustment system (as found on the SL-1200MkII and later) which can be adjusted even while playing a record - which is the best way to judge by ear - and a much better tonearm.
I won't go into other options for Turntables from other manufacturers or this would not be a post but a book. But the Revox B791 or B795 is my second most loved TT, even though it is arguably the most difficult TT (tonearm) to replace a cartridge. Unless you mount a P-mount socket and mount P-mount carts on it.
And about the cartridge, I am a huge fan of Ortofon MC carts. Got my first ever MC cart to listen to with a Revox B791, complete with an Ortofon step up transformer (T-30) for a price that was half for what the transformer alone goes for in these days. The cart was an MC20MkII. That combo brought me back to analog 10 years ago and made me expand my LP collection for 100 to around 1500 and my TT collection from 1 to 20. So someone could argue "stay away from these".
I sourced several different Ortofon MC carts (MC10, MC25, MC20) with various styli versions and they all, even the MC10, share a common virtue: A clear, balanced, relaxed and sweet sound. Not a good match if you want to listen to Thin Lizzy or Rory Gallagher but great for classical music, opera, acoustic jazz and folk. It was like listening to music without distortion for the first time.
An Ortofon OM20 that came as part of one of the turntables I purchased over the years sounded very very similar. Great for an MM cart. Made me add an OM40 stylus to my mental wish list.
And the DL110 I got with a Luxman PD121 with a Denon tonearm sounded just as great as the Ortofon MC carts. Perhaps a very little bit more restrained (for lack of a better word) in dynamics.
And what do I like to listen to with Rock music? My Stanton 681EEE is my favorite with a Stanton 500 used for worn LPs and 45s. 45s sound terrible with a better cart, especially the worn ones.
