Top of the line Technics ML-3 turntable?

[jim t]

How does this Technic turntable rate?


https://chico.craigslist.org/ele/d/technics-sl-m3-direct-drive/6288420900.html

 

[SoundsAlike]

I have one and it's an awesome machine


They're actually not as difficult to work on as they may seem -- the service manual is very handy and found online

Hard to tell from the pic in the ad but it looks like it is missing a clear plastic piece that sits behind the platter. It illuminates and protects the stylus -- it's usually missing.

$400 is a fair price for the rarity -- but because it's a pmount they tend to be valued less on the merits of their sound quality

It is truly rare --- only one or two examples will pop up for sale in a given year. The ones on eBay have been up there for awhile. I bought mine 2 years ago and haven't seen another one locally yet

 

[markshan]

Run Forrest!!!

 

[Lavane]

Jim, keep an eye out in the Paradise, Magalia area too. Ive found some crazy killer deals up their.

 

[markshan]

Jim, keep an eye out in the Paradise, Magalia area too. Ive found some crazy killer deals up their.

Up their what?

 

[darkblue94]

Up their what?

 

[jim t]

Is this the Techics that has a separate power supply, what is the model # SL?, and where's the tone arm.There's an antique store in Paradise that has some Hi-End stuff, Mac etc. and records on the Skyway.

 

[AdamAnt316]

Is this the Techics that has a separate power supply, what is the model # SL?, and where's the tone arm.There's an antique store in Paradise that has some Hi-End stuff, Mac etc. and records on the Skyway.

No, the Technics with the separate power supply is the SP-10, which has a separate...everything. The SL-M3 was a rather fancy 'integrated' (i.e. all in one box) linear-tracking turntable which they made in the mid '80s. The control panel on the SL-M3 looks kinda similar to the power supply on the SP-10Mk3, but that's probably the only real similarity. One cool thing about the SL-M3 is that it's one of the few linear tracking turntables Technics made which could play a record with the dustcover open.
-Adam

 

[BillWojo]

I have a SL-M3. It was Technics last gasp as the CD was just introduced and was taking over, killing TT sales. It was a top end unit, look at the specs and compare them to the broadcast SP units, they may surprise you.
The only downside is the p-mount cartridge. Nothing wrong with a p-mount technically it's just that getting really good p-mounts is getting harder and harder today as they fell out of favor after CD's took over the scene.
They are beautifully built and rock solid performers. At this age, they should all go in for a recap to protect the processor chip that controls virtually everything. Of course any all electronic table from that era needs it as well.
That plastic piece? Mine is missing as well, been looking for a while now.

BillWojo

 

[quigz1968]

I have owned one since 1984 and it is truly a wonderful machine. It served me well and sadly - it appears to have died :-( I just posted in another thread:

http://audiokarma.org/forums/index.php?threads/technics-sl-m3-owners-help.786182/#post-10822300

But if you find a deal on this - grab it. I have had zero issues with this machine in terms of performance. Sound quality, speed, zero issues with tracking or IGD etc. And it is quite the conversation piece!

 

[djwhy60]

Well someone grabbed it....ad gone!

 

[ymarko]

Just a few second eBay search reveals that this is well above $1,000 turntable, actually close to $2,000.

Sure it's gone. Either seller recognized his $1,000 error and retracted, or buyer jumped on $1,000 gain.

By the way, original post is not correct. It's not ML-3, but rather SL-M3 model.

 

[SoundsAlike]

Just a few second eBay search reveals that this is well above $1,000 turntable, actually close to $2,000.

Sure it's gone. Either seller recognized his $1,000 error and retracted, or buyer jumped on $1,000 gain.

By the way, original post is not correct. It's not ML-3, but rather SL-M3 model.

Those tables have been on ebay for years relisted over and over again. Remember, use ebay sold listings.

Just because you see a 1992 Nissan Stanza listed for sale at $25,000 doesn't make all of them worth that.