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Technics Turntable Decision

J

Joe Hughes

Active Member
Have two turntables, Technics 1700mk2 and 1610mk2, both in excellent condition been serviced up to specs. Can only keep one, must sell the other. Probably just a personal preference both similar in performance for the exception one is semi and the other is fully automatic. Hard decision.
 
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Joe Hughes said:
Have two turntables, Technics 1700mk2 and 1610mk2, both in excellent condition been serviced up to specs. Can only keep one, must sell the other. Probably just a personal preference both similar in performance for the exception one is semi and the other is fully automatic. Hard decision.
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Top of the line in that series was the SL-1600 MKII , second from the top was the SL-1700 MKII.

The semi -auto SL-1700 MKII has slightly less features and parts.

I kept both. :naughty:
 
Would like to keep both, but realistically can only use one in our present set up in our home. Unless we decide to use one and keep other in storage.
 
The 1610 and the 1700 are essentially the same turntable except that the 1610 is full auto. If one has to go, assuming they're both in good condition, I'd sell the 1610 because I'm partial to auto return and it's by far the more valuable, not only because the full autos bring more but also because the dark gray color is quite rare in North America and therefore very desirable.

John
 
Tough decision, but the mat for the 1600/1610mk2 is a tough one to replace for when it inevitably goes hard and cracks. The the optical cutouts in the mat are very difficult to replicate. You can use a standard 1200mk2 mat on the 1700mk2.

The auto mech nylon gears always break and will need repair. My 1600mk2 is on borrowed time with the gear cracked all around, but still holding (for now)

The floating suspension is prone to spring sag and most of those decks are now sitting on the transit posts will little or no real isolation. I love the look and style of the 1600mk2, but the 1700mk2 might be a better long term option. For all out longevity, the 1200mk2 kills them all.

I recently did a full restoration on my 1600mk2 and the operational buttons all had to be pulled down and apart to clean the silver plated copper contacts (fun job), replace a single pitch red LED (they are epoxied in a plastic block) and re-tension the suspension springs, replace the RCA captive lead (it had an intermittent issue right on the cable clamp) etc.
 
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