Technics SP-25 any good?
- Thread starter lico
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vincei
aka MasterControlMedia
Yes it's good. Same electronics as the SL-1200MK2, but more customization possible with choice of arms and plinths. Mine below:
Technics SP-25 with new Plinth #2 by mastercontrolmedia, on Flickr
Technics SP-25 with new Plinth #2 by mastercontrolmedia, on Flickr
Mister Pig
Pigamus Maximus
Define good. And I suppose it depends on what price and with what arm.
It's respectable, had nice controls, good fit and finish. Sonically its all right, better than some worse than quite a few others. But those tables will run more money. Lets see, the last SP 25 drive unit I bought I paid $350, and thats about what they should be worth. Arm, plinth, and cartridge of course add to the price. So it depends on what it comes with, and what it costs.
You can do a lot worse, you can do better. Even in the Technics line the SP 15 and the SP 10 are superior tables. But if its priced right its a good middle tier table.
Cheers
Mister Pig
It's respectable, had nice controls, good fit and finish. Sonically its all right, better than some worse than quite a few others. But those tables will run more money. Lets see, the last SP 25 drive unit I bought I paid $350, and thats about what they should be worth. Arm, plinth, and cartridge of course add to the price. So it depends on what it comes with, and what it costs.
You can do a lot worse, you can do better. Even in the Technics line the SP 15 and the SP 10 are superior tables. But if its priced right its a good middle tier table.
Cheers
Mister Pig
AvFan
Super Member
"Technics SP-25 any good?"
My SP-25 holds speed well to my ears and I don't hear anything from it when playing. Is it top tier? Is it as good as an SP-10 MKII? No, to both questions, but it is far from being a bottom feeder and was routinely used in radio stations due to its reliability. It can also be repaired, if needed, as it shares many parts with the SL-1200MK II.
The table's overall performance is probably impacted more by the tonearm and its base than the SP-25 itself. The factory SH-B15 bases ( I have the SH-15B3) and their feet are getting pretty old and may not be isolating the turntable like they did when introduced in 1979. I'm about to build a variation on a sandbox to isolate my table but a thoughtfully designed base would probably help too. My table came with an Audio Technica ATP-12T tonearm that where commonly used in broadcast situations and it has an effective mass of about 21gr. Perfect for a Denon DL-103/103R or maybe an Ortofon SPU but many of today's cartridges are better suited to mid-mass arms of around 12gr to 15gr. I've replaced the AT with a Jelco SA-750E (10") mostly to allow more cartridge choices.
I have kept and routinely use my SP-25 because it isn't fiddly, requires minimum maintenance, allows a variety of tonearms (10" only) to be installed and mostly meets my expectations and budget for a turntable. YMMV.
My SP-25 holds speed well to my ears and I don't hear anything from it when playing. Is it top tier? Is it as good as an SP-10 MKII? No, to both questions, but it is far from being a bottom feeder and was routinely used in radio stations due to its reliability. It can also be repaired, if needed, as it shares many parts with the SL-1200MK II.
The table's overall performance is probably impacted more by the tonearm and its base than the SP-25 itself. The factory SH-B15 bases ( I have the SH-15B3) and their feet are getting pretty old and may not be isolating the turntable like they did when introduced in 1979. I'm about to build a variation on a sandbox to isolate my table but a thoughtfully designed base would probably help too. My table came with an Audio Technica ATP-12T tonearm that where commonly used in broadcast situations and it has an effective mass of about 21gr. Perfect for a Denon DL-103/103R or maybe an Ortofon SPU but many of today's cartridges are better suited to mid-mass arms of around 12gr to 15gr. I've replaced the AT with a Jelco SA-750E (10") mostly to allow more cartridge choices.
I have kept and routinely use my SP-25 because it isn't fiddly, requires minimum maintenance, allows a variety of tonearms (10" only) to be installed and mostly meets my expectations and budget for a turntable. YMMV.
Champco
Super Member
I have been here looking at mine. Always thought it was a 12" arm but you are correct. I have considered installing another arm but did not know it is limited to a 10" inch. Why is that??
AvFan
Super Member
I'm not sure why Technics designed the SH-15B bases for 10" arms but I recall reading here on AK that Japanese manufacturers favored them in the 1970s. You might be able to fit a 9" arm on a SH-15B base depending upon the shape and size of the tonearm pillar but a 12" definitely will not fit. New 10" arms are available but most seem to be higher end (e.g. Reed and Origin Live) and Jelco is no longer offering a 10" arm. They can be found in the used market on occasion.
At the time all the Technics EPA tonearms were 10", makes sense they would design it to favor their 10" arms, also a very good compromise length between 9 and 12 inch arms. Agree SP-25 wont sonically equal a SP10Mk2 but then it isn't priced like one, solid decent performing dependable motor unit considering the price, I have a couple and they will take all the KAB SL-1200 upgrades.
