Technics with tonearm height adjustment besides SL1200-1800?

[Garven]

I really like the notion of the height adjustment ring offered by the tonearm base on the MKII and later Technics models in the SL-1200/1300/1400/1500/1600/1700/1800 (and the xx10 variants).

Other than 1200s (either at ridiculous prices or casualties of DJ wars), I rarely see the others for sale used, but there are usually lots of other Technics tables available used. Lots of these seem to have the same universal tonearm but none I've seen so far seem to have the height adjustment ring or any other way of adjusting VTA/SRA.

Are there any that do?

 

[boreas]

The SPs. I think that's it.

John

 

[68custom]

The one that started it all the SL-1100a, but they are hard to find. seems like they lack the panache of the 1200?

 

[pmdclassics]

What about other brands that have this feature?

 

[jdwk]

I have a technics 1401 that has it also.

 

[Audiobro]

What about other brands that have this feature?

My Denon DP60L has it. And I must say, it's a critical adjustment to have if you are going to deviate from the original cartridge.

 

[Garven]

The one that started it all the SL-1100a, but they are hard to find. seems like they lack the panache of the 1200?

I actually saw an SL-1100a last month at a local record store for $400. It looked good but I have to admit I'm really hesitant buying a turntable that old as I keep reading stuff from folks who've had to replace capacitors, etc.

 

[boreas]

I have a technics 1401 that has it also.

:saywhat: :headscrat :scratch2:

I have a Technics SL-1401 that doesn't.

John

 

[dutchflea]

I have a technics 1401 that has it also.

Maybe I am misunderstanding what you are trying to say here, but I think we are talking about the height adjustment of the arm base here. i.e. the ability to move the arm assembly up and down relative to the base to allow for optimal VTA (vertical tracking angle).

The SL-1401 does not have this, just like the other non-MK2 models: 1200-1800 (MK1), 1301, 1401, etc. No arm height adjustment ring or nut, it is fixed. It does have a arm lift height adjustment, but that is something totally different. Every Technics player I can think if has that, even the linear trackers (although it is implemented in a different way).

:saywhat: :headscrat :scratch2:

I have a Technics SL-1401 that doesn't.

John

No worries, I still think it is one of Technics best ones with a great balance in technical features, build quality, reliability, ergonomics, looks and price.

 

[boreas]

:saywhat: :headscrat :scratch2:

I have a Technics SL-1401 that doesn't.

John

No worries, I still think it is one of Technics best ones with a great balance in technical features, build quality, reliability, ergonomics, looks and price.

Oh, I'm not worried at all.

I'm just wondering what jdwk is thinking about.

John

 

[Garven]

No worries, I still think it is one of Technics best ones with a great balance in technical features, build quality, reliability, ergonomics, looks and price.

Are the 1400s not especially prone to cue mechanism failure? I recall last year when I was thinking of looking for a Technics and I went through the specs on all the variants of that Technics line, and I pretty much crosses the 13xx, 14xx, 15xxx off the list because of the widespread cueing issues, and then the 1700 because all it has no standard cue lever at all. I was left with the 12xx, 16xx, and 18xx. All I ever see for sale besides 1200s are occasional MkI 1600 & 1800s.

 

[dutchflea]

Only the 1400mk2 (and 1300mk2 / 1500mk2) have a widespread armlift problem, which can be solved by a replacement of the broken part. And the 1600mk2/1700mk2/1800mk2 to a lesser extent and for a different reason (IC and/or plastic gear).

The SL-1401 (and 1301 and 1501) is a different machine that does not have this issue. The mk1 series in general does not have a widespread cueing issue.

 

[boreas]

The SL-1401 (and 1301 and 1501) is a different machine that does not have this issue. The mk1 series in general does not have a widespread cueing issue.

The "01" tables have no issues at all, as far as I know. These are really solid and good sounding turntables. When I got my 1401 I retired and eventually sold my immaculate and perfectly performing 1600 MK2. I've never regretted it.

It should also be noted that the "01" tables are distinct from the "MK1" and MK2 tables. They were introduced separately from either of these series and share very little with them. Unlike the "MK1" turntables, the "01s" are quartz locked. So are the MK2s but the motor is different. The "01s" use a smaller motor with less torque. Still, it has plenty and my feeling is that its smaller size may make it quieter. I found the background to be clearer on the "01".

These are pretty hard to find, by the way, at least stateside. They were only out for a year before being replaced by the SL-Q2 and SL-Q3 which was a significantly cheaper table, using the same motor and arm but lacking the suspension of the "01s".

John

 

[Starquest]

And the 1501, I believe, was not offered in the US. (Correct me if I'm wrong.) Now there's a table I'd like to have.

 

[dutchflea]

Yep, the 1501 / 1511 must be the rarest of the bunch.

With the automatic 1301 the internal lever for the arm movement can be stuck by hardened grease, just like the 1600mk1 which has the same mechanism. That's about it. They are great and reliable. The only thing they miss is arm height adjustment (too bad really) and pitch control (don't care).

 

[jdwk]

:saywhat: :headscrat :scratch2:

I have a Technics SL-1401 that doesn't.

John

sorry 1300MKII I dont know where my brain went.

 

[2chman]

Are the 1400s not especially prone to cue mechanism failure? I recall last year when I was thinking of looking for a Technics and I went through the specs on all the variants of that Technics line, and I pretty much crosses the 13xx, 14xx, 15xxx off the list because of the widespread cueing issues, and then the 1700 because all it has no standard cue lever at all. I was left with the 12xx, 16xx, and 18xx. All I ever see for sale besides 1200s are occasional MkI 1600 & 1800s.

Reguarding cue lever, my sl1700 mkl has a cue lift lever.

 

[boreas]

Are the 1400s not especially prone to cue mechanism failure? I recall last year when I was thinking of looking for a Technics and I went through the specs on all the variants of that Technics line, and I pretty much crosses the 13xx, 14xx, 15xxx off the list because of the widespread cueing issues, and then the 1700 because all it has no standard cue lever at all. I was left with the 12xx, 16xx, and 18xx. All I ever see for sale besides 1200s are occasional MkI 1600 & 1800s.

Only the 1400mk2 (and 1300mk2 / 1500mk2) have a widespread armlift problem, which can be solved by a replacement of the broken part. And the 1600mk2/1700mk2/1800mk2 to a lesser extent and for a different reason (IC and/or plastic gear).

The SL-1401 (and 1301 and 1501) is a different machine that does not have this issue. The mk1 series in general does not have a widespread cueing issue.

Just to be totally clear about this cuing issue, the only turntables affected by this are the MK2 versions of the SL-1300, 1400 and 1500. There is a part in the cuing mechanism that fails virtually 100% of the time. This was a problem while the turntables were still in production and Technics made a service part in an effort to fix it. These failed too.

As for the replacement part mentioned by dutchflea, there are no original parts available (They'd almost certainly fail anyway.) But an enterprising AKer whose name I can't remember, had a replacement 3-D printed by a company called Shapeways. They still have the pattern and will make one for anyone who wants one. I think they cost around $30.00.

I don't know whether these are any more durable than the originals. They haven't been in use widely enough or long enough to tell but they're a way to get these very good turntables back in service, at least for a while.

John

 

[dutchflea]

Yep, they are more durable because the plastic is stronger and the unit is slightly over-dimensioned in the right places, the inner ring is thicker than the original part, which is a good thing.

I have fixed 6 of them and they are all still working after years. 4 of them I fixed by repairing the original part. 2 of them have the 3D printed part and they are still going strong after 2 years and I really do not expect them to break. Well, perhaps in 25 years, who knows.

For the ones that want to try the 3D printed part, be aware there are 2 versions. You'll need to open your turntable and check the bushing buried deep below your armbase to know which part you need.