After owning and loving my mid 80's AR EB101 for over 30 years, I'm finding myself intrigued by the Technics direct drive turntables from the 70's and 80's. Unfortunately, I'm not in a position to buy even a used SL 12 or 1500 as they appear to be going for four figures in working condition. I'm seeing other models from the direct drive series that I might be able to afford. Are there any that approach the 1200/1500 series!
Technics Turntables: Diamonds in the Rough?
- Thread starter jiminrockies
- Start date
-
- Tags
- direct drive technics
Register to hide this ad
Thanks for all the input everyone! You guys are the best!
BTW: I'm not replacing the EB101, just want to try something different.
BTW: I'm not replacing the EB101, just want to try something different.
I have friends who have bought tables from this guy in North Carolina- he fixes them up and sells them for reasonable money (SL-D2 for less than $300)- He does a great packing job too. Best is to call him to order one (his site usually shows his Craigslist ads)
.JPG)
turntablesbycth.com
Turntables By CTH
Discover vintage Technics turntables, expert repair services, and unique vintage audio equipment at Turntables By CTH. Shop now!
turntablesbycth.com
Well, I can recommended a Technics SL-D202.
I bought mine new back in the 80s and it still runs as good as the day I bought it.
Now don't get me wrong it's not in the same league as my SL-1210 MK2, but hey it's roughly 40 years old so I consider that in itself a overall win as I would doubt any new reasonable cost TT these days will be around and functional in 40 years.
I bought mine new back in the 80s and it still runs as good as the day I bought it.
Now don't get me wrong it's not in the same league as my SL-1210 MK2, but hey it's roughly 40 years old so I consider that in itself a overall win as I would doubt any new reasonable cost TT these days will be around and functional in 40 years.
I'd recommend the SL 1300 to 1800 series. There is also an SL-1401 which has push buttons instead of a lever for the start functions which is neat if you like that. These vintage turntables seem to last well, and come with an S arm that takes the standard Technics headshell, making it easier to change cartridges.
Well, I have a line on a D2, for what appears to be a great price. It's missing the cueing lever. How hard is it to find one?
The cuing lever is the Achilles Heel of Technics turn tables... it is a royal pain to try and fix one that has gone bad, let alone one with the lever missing... I'd find another table (a complete one).
Agree completely. No reason to buy one that needs a lot of work when the cth guy sells recapped ones for $350.
I have too many Technics. The D3 is pretty hardcore while I like the heft of the 1900. Have yet to really get one of my linears working to my satisfaction.
They are not difficult to come across and not too pricey, especially if you are the least bit handy.
Achilles heel are dust covers and hinges.
They are not difficult to come across and not too pricey, especially if you are the least bit handy.
Achilles heel are dust covers and hinges.
melofelo
Addicted Member
I have an AR-EB-101 and it would be very difficult to improve upon it without spending a decent chunk of change. However a nice direct drive as a second turntable is a welcome addition in terms of easy speed change, flipping between albums and singles etc. I'd opt for one of the Quartz lock Technics mentioned above as speed drift can be an issue with the non-quartz turntables. Stylus drag and a low mass platter which many(not all) direct drives tend to use can have you constantly tweaking the speed adjust pots as a tonearm nears the center of a record. The tonearms fitted to the SL-D2 and SL-Q2 look well made..so the main thing will be isolating the plinth from external vibrations. A simple sheet of cork can work wonders when placed under these fixed plinth tables. Also keep an eye out for the Akai AP-206, 306, 207 and 307 as these tend to fly under the radar and can sound very nice indeed.
I looked at his inventory - brother from a different mother.I have friends who have bought tables from this guy in North Carolina- he fixes them up and sells them for reasonable money (SL-D2 for less than $300)- He does a great packing job too. Best is to call him to order one (his site usually shows his Craigslist ads)
Turntables By CTH
Discover vintage Technics turntables, expert repair services, and unique vintage audio equipment at Turntables By CTH. Shop now!
For tables that are ready to go out of the box and have support the prices aren't too horrible and it appears that they (mostly) come with cartridges.
I didn't look at his whole inventory but, in some cases, he's using homemade dustcovers that might be an upgrade given their susceptibility to hinge breakage.
I like to tinker so not really my avenue but, for someone looking for a nice vintage turntable, not a bad place to start.
I bought one of the last sealed-in-box Japanese-made 1200MkII tables. A seller on eBay had two for $1000 back in 2018. I should have bought both, but I am pleased with the one I got. It is very well made and has easy adjustments. I am running an MC cartridge (using the added Technics counterbalance weight).
HIgh def upload.
Off David Bowie's "The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust." Mobile Fidelity. MFSL 1-064 . Stan Ricker cut & mastered. 1981.
Run-out: MFSL-1-064-A3 A/M SR/2 ORTOFON #1! H 1 3 1 ✱ ✱
frankmarsi
Active Member
12-2024
I’ve spoken on this topic enough times where all I need to do is offer a couple of links of mine. No sense in repeating myself though, I may a little.
Go over to two of the top magazines in the world, Stereo_hile and T_S and seek out their often mention of the Technics, especially the latest models. To paraphrase, the latest version of the all time best, period.
Although I could go out rite now and buy the latest Technics or other high-end table I don't. In 2004, I decided to try out their first model, the SL-120 as I found it at a very low price. The irony is that when they first appeared in 1972, I was in the market of a new table. But, in 1972-74 I felt the Technics looked too mechanical and tech-ish to me so, I waited.
In ’74 I purchased the newly released new Micro-Seiki Tannoy TM55 direct drive and although it served me well from ’74 to 2004 I then changed tables. I did an about face and sort out an original SL-120 sans arm. I then proceeded to mount a mint S.M.E. pre-improved and have never felt the need to replace any of it. I was so impressed by it’s performance, it even out did my Micro-Seiki. And to think, this was their introductory model all the way back in 1972 when I was 22 years young myself and routinely checking out the many 'Hi-Fi' stores in NYC.
I also enjoy two SL-1100’s in my second system. There again, I’m offered superlative performance and great sound. Admittedly, the newer version 1200's no doubt should sound and perform better somewhat but, at a substantially higher cost and, for me just using one table at a time slows my flexibility and listening sessions down.
The sound of both the SL-120 and the Sl-1100 is dynamic, fast, in two simple words. Bass is well rounded enough for me and I used to play bass guitar in bands in the '60s. Also a proud AR 12inch woofer fanatic since 1971.
Oh, and to reiterate, one of those two high-end magazines had mentioned a couple of months ago about the original Technics SL-120 (the ones I use and adore), as the kid who started it all. And that is a good feeling as I feel they need nothing more as a recognized classic that they are. Let's face it, for them to mention a ground-breaking newly introduced table that's almost 53 years old now is commendable at the very least.
So I won’t repeat myself any further, simply look here: https://audiokarma.org/forums/index.php?threads/the-sl-110-sl-1100-and-sp-owners-club.657823/page-14
For a slight sampling, look here: https://community.classicspeakerpag...eakers-really-sound-that-good-more-new-video/ scroll the page as I have two video samples.
What else could I say, I’m a confirmed vintage system type of person and, proud of it. It's not only a diamond, it "Shines on brightly, quite insane" * "Procol Harum" 1968
FM
FM
376
I’ve spoken on this topic enough times where all I need to do is offer a couple of links of mine. No sense in repeating myself though, I may a little.
Go over to two of the top magazines in the world, Stereo_hile and T_S and seek out their often mention of the Technics, especially the latest models. To paraphrase, the latest version of the all time best, period.
Although I could go out rite now and buy the latest Technics or other high-end table I don't. In 2004, I decided to try out their first model, the SL-120 as I found it at a very low price. The irony is that when they first appeared in 1972, I was in the market of a new table. But, in 1972-74 I felt the Technics looked too mechanical and tech-ish to me so, I waited.
In ’74 I purchased the newly released new Micro-Seiki Tannoy TM55 direct drive and although it served me well from ’74 to 2004 I then changed tables. I did an about face and sort out an original SL-120 sans arm. I then proceeded to mount a mint S.M.E. pre-improved and have never felt the need to replace any of it. I was so impressed by it’s performance, it even out did my Micro-Seiki. And to think, this was their introductory model all the way back in 1972 when I was 22 years young myself and routinely checking out the many 'Hi-Fi' stores in NYC.
I also enjoy two SL-1100’s in my second system. There again, I’m offered superlative performance and great sound. Admittedly, the newer version 1200's no doubt should sound and perform better somewhat but, at a substantially higher cost and, for me just using one table at a time slows my flexibility and listening sessions down.
The sound of both the SL-120 and the Sl-1100 is dynamic, fast, in two simple words. Bass is well rounded enough for me and I used to play bass guitar in bands in the '60s. Also a proud AR 12inch woofer fanatic since 1971.
Oh, and to reiterate, one of those two high-end magazines had mentioned a couple of months ago about the original Technics SL-120 (the ones I use and adore), as the kid who started it all. And that is a good feeling as I feel they need nothing more as a recognized classic that they are. Let's face it, for them to mention a ground-breaking newly introduced table that's almost 53 years old now is commendable at the very least.
So I won’t repeat myself any further, simply look here: https://audiokarma.org/forums/index.php?threads/the-sl-110-sl-1100-and-sp-owners-club.657823/page-14
For a slight sampling, look here: https://community.classicspeakerpag...eakers-really-sound-that-good-more-new-video/ scroll the page as I have two video samples.
What else could I say, I’m a confirmed vintage system type of person and, proud of it. It's not only a diamond, it "Shines on brightly, quite insane" * "Procol Harum" 1968
FM
FM
376
Last edited:
I got busy and distracted, but I did end up buying the SL-D2 with the broken cuing lever. After wondering what my next move would be, a parts table came up for sale locally with an intact lever for $40.00(!). The keeper came with an AT95e, so I took them to my local shop, Electric City, in Westminster,CO, where they replaced it and gave it a cleaning/tune up. I’m keeping the parts table just in case, but I might be running out of room. Thanks for all the info and advice!