Why is my Technics sl qd33 considered a low end starter table?

[jobrewer1983]

That would have been the D-200.

That sounds about right, I gave it to some lady on CL for a stack of LP's. I got the table for free in original box, was brand new. I bought a packaged Adcom deal from some guy in my area. He had bought it all in 86, (I have a whole thread up on it) . Anyway, as I was loading up the Adcom gear, he asked if I wanted a table. He said it was his wife's table but they never set it up. Said it sat in a garage since 1986. I had posted it to cl for $100 bucks, put on a new belt. and that was it, sounded great. The lady who bought it was running a low end suite case one prior, she did a CL budget system and found a technics receiver for $100 bucks. She had texted me like a mad man so I told her she could have it for some LP's. She must have been really wanting to get back into LP's as she made an epic drive to pick it up. She drove an hour or 2 if I remember correctly.

She had texted me later that evening that it was the best turntable she had ever owned LOL (again perspective) and was floored with the SQ. I gave her a few freebies like a disc cleaner and a fiber brush. I was happy she got it as I knew she appreciated it, and she gave me some cool LP's. She was super happy to get to listen to her original albums. She did give me an All in the Family Skit LP that was pretty good. I think the thread is still active, now I want to see it. it was quite clean LOL

 

[spark1]

For the price, it was hard to beat the Technics tables.

 

[kirk57]

Just for reference, here is the Technics turntable lineup for 1987 as listed in the Audio Magazine Annual Equipment Directory:

 

[bluestime]

https://vintagetechnics.audio/turntables.php

 

[David_NC]

I'd say it's fair to call it a lower-end turntable based on the range of available turntables. Even within the Technics brand, one can see that it's near the lower end in the attachment above. However that doesn't mean that it's not a good turntable from a major brand.
It's like the car I bought when I was looking for a cheap one to leave at the train station near my work (I take a train and then drive a couple miles). The best car I found in the sub-$2500 range wasn't a Toyota or Honda. The one I ended up with is an old BMW 318i convertible with a body in amazing condition (one ding and no paint issues) in great mechanical condition with everything working except the cassette deck. It's a 5-speed manual with manual seats and top - three things I'd not want powered or automatic in an old BMW! It's also a low-end model with the smallest engine BMW imported for the years it was produced - a 1.9L 4 cylinder non-turbo. It's not fast, but it's comfy with lots of features and is likely the most fun car I've owned; it's just a blast to drive on twisty roads. It's also been extremely reliable and is very economical. Just like a lower-end Technics turntable, it does its job well with minimal cost, but I'll never kid myself that it's an M3... Enjoy your turntable and the music you play on it, and when you're ready to upgrade, you will, and you'll appreciate the differences and improvements.

 

[OldSoul]

I'd say it's fair to call it a lower-end turntable based on the range of available turntables. Even within the Technics brand, one can see that it's near the lower end in the attachment above. However that doesn't mean that it's not a good turntable from a major brand.
It's like the car I bought when I was looking for a cheap one to leave at the train station near my work (I take a train and then drive a couple miles). The best car I found in the sub-$2500 range wasn't a Toyota or Honda. The one I ended up with is an old BMW 318i convertible with a body in amazing condition (one ding and no paint issues) in great mechanical condition with everything working except the cassette deck. It's a 5-speed manual with manual seats and top - three things I'd not want powered or automatic in an old BMW! It's also a low-end model with the smallest engine BMW imported for the years it was produced - a 1.9L 4 cylinder non-turbo. It's not fast, but it's comfy with lots of features and is likely the most fun car I've owned; it's just a blast to drive on twisty roads. It's also been extremely reliable and is very economical. Just like a lower-end Technics turntable, it does its job well with minimal cost, but I'll never kid myself that it's an M3... Enjoy your turntable and the music you play on it, and when you're ready to upgrade, you will, and you'll appreciate the differences and improvements.

Is it really, though? I'd say in that chart, 5 of the top 6 turntables are for professional, while the SL-M tables are upper end for the home market. The SL-QD33 seems to be second only to the linear tracker in what I'd consider the typical consumer bracket.

 

[spark1]

Is it really, though? I'd say in that chart, 5 of the top 6 turntables are for professional, while the SL-M tables are upper end for the home market. The SL-QD33 seems to be second only to the linear tracker in what I'd consider the typical consumer bracket.

Yes. It really is.

 

[David_NC]

Is it really, though? I'd say in that chart, 5 of the top 6 turntables are for professional, while the SL-M tables are upper end for the home market. The SL-QD33 seems to be second only to the linear tracker in what I'd consider the typical consumer bracket.

I'd still call it a lower-end model. Note I did not say low-end, and this does not make it a bad turntable. Just like my old 318i, lots of things were given up to reach a price point, but lots of what makes it fun were retained. I'd say lower and middle models have simply had more design compromises than upper models and fewer than the lowest models.

 

[59volvo]

I have a technics sl-1600 mk1 and qd33 and the sl-1600 mk1 sounds much much better - order of magnitude better. I have an AT95SE on the 1600 and grado green and AT311 pmounts on the qd33.

 

[muovimies]

It's all a matter of perspective, one person's "wow I really went out on this one and got something nice" is below another's "entry level". For someone "entry level" is the cheapest thing you can buy from a mass retailer, for someone else a $1000 moving coil cartridge might be "entry level".

We are on a hobbyist forum, albeit on a generally frugal one, but still a hobbyist forum. I don't think in the 80s, someone who was into turntables and audio as a hobby, would've bought a turntable from the Technics SL-QD range. That doesn't mean there's anything wrong with the unit and the technology was popular at that time, which means value for money. From my perspective, decent is a perfectly adequate word to describe a SL-QD33. "Decent" implies that - it's decent. It doesn't eat your vinyl for breakfast and it produces a perfectly enjoyable, decent sound. But if you come from a modern day Crosley or a plastic-fantastic 60s suitcase unit, an SL-QD33 is high end.

 

[KentTeffeteller]

In Technics all T4p mount consumer line, in this era, this was the best non linear tracking Technics available. Nothing junk about one in good order. Their only real disadvantage today is the dwindling availability of T4p mount cartridges. And the sometimes issues with cueing and automation on some examples.

 

[4-2-7]

I just think tables like mine being described as only "decent "might persuade potential buyers to steer away from what I feel is quality table.

But this feeling you have is just your reference point, reference points are established with experience and use of many different levels of components. If this is your best table and the best you ever owned you just have not experienced anything better to forum a solid opinion that's based in facts. However to you and in your world it's top of the line and just as good as anything else, clearly by your post. You or anyone can enjoy anything you want and your shouldn't worry about your status in the hobby owning it.

Now if you took that table and put it in my house it would be the worst table here and bottom of the line. But that doesn't mean others would not enjoy it even though it would be the last resort for me to used.

Welcome to AK and have a great 4th...

 

[Grenadeslio]

My perspective.

Started my journey decades ago with a Dual idler drive. In the early 80's I jumped on the DD wagon, over the yrs a plethora of mediocre ($180 - $250) tables came and went until I found an AR XA at a garage sale for $15. Needed a belt, contacted AR, they still had belts so I ordered one. The little $15 table thrashed ALL of the direct drive tables I had, I swore off DD for the next 20 yrs.

Jump forward to 2014, I see a Kenwood DD on eBay I remembered from my youth that always intrigued me, it was The Rock. Price was right so I decided to give DD tables another shot, glad I did. My Thorens, AR, etc are now sitting the bench.

Moral of the story, you won't know just how good or bad your table is until you try something better.

As for the table in question's place in the Technics lineup, it appears to be second from the bottom of their DD tables, I would hope their better decks had more to offer.

With that said, picked up a pristine Technics SL1200 MKII for a friend, nice table but the little AR and my Thorens would have it sitting the bench, ya the Kenny is that much better. This might give you some perspective on where the lower Technics are in the world of DD tables.

 

[Stone2266]

But this feeling you have is just your reference point, reference points are established with experience and use of many different levels of components. If this is your best table and the best you ever owned you just have not experienced anything better to forum a solid opinion that's based in facts. However to you and in your world it's top of the line and just as good as anything else, clearly by your post. You or anyone can enjoy anything you want and your shouldn't worry about your status in the hobby owning it.

Now if you took that table and put it in my house it would be the worst table here and bottom of the line. But that doesn't mean others would not enjoy it even though it would be the last resort for me to used.

Welcome to AK and have a great 4th...

Thanks for your comments. No,I grew up with turntables and I'm not naive enough to think I have a top of the line machine. But as someone older and on a fixed income I believe this record player is a great option for someone in my position or perhaps someone just starting out in listening to records and do look to upgrade eventually. I've enjoyed reading the comments and believe they certainly will be a huge help if someone is interested in buying this record player. You have a great 4th also.

 

[spark1]

In Technics all T4p mount consumer line, in this era, this was the best non linear tracking Technics available. Nothing junk about one in good order. Their only real disadvantage today is the dwindling availability of T4p mount cartridges. And the sometimes issues with cueing and automation on some examples.

I don't think anyone said it was junk.

 

[RickeyM]

I always thought the Technics belt drive models were the "low end" decks. That's what I started with (SL-B2). I think there's been some blurring of the terms low-end and entry level. While the SL-QD33 might be entry level in the Technics lineup IMO it's definitely not low end.
Back in the day, 70's early 80's, most average people just wanted something to play records on. Something of decent quality. Even tho' there were those with deeper pockets that sought out higher level gear most folks didn't buy the pricier stuff.

 

[4-2-7]

I believe this record player is a great option for someone in my position or perhaps someone just starting out in listening to records

Well yeah, and in reality there is thousands of budget used table out there that fit that bill. Most people know on this site that one is better off with limited funds to shop old decks opposed to new because you can get better for less money. But in this hobby that is called entry level, it's just what it is and you shouldn't be offended by it.

We all find the level at where we need to stop elevating in this hobby, to some it's not even a hobby. When it all boils down, it's just a tool and to have something in the home that plays music for when we want to listen to some.

You have a great 4th also.

Thank you

 

[spark1]

I always thought the Technics belt drive models were the "low end entry level" decks. That's what I started with (SL-B2). Back in the day, 70's early 80's, most average people just wanted something to play records on. Even tho' there were those with deeper pockets that sought out higher level gear most folks didn't buy the pricier stuff. If someone wants consider the SL-QD33 a low end deck let 'em. That thinking will keep prices reasonable for us that know.

That know what?

 

[Grenadeslio]

I always thought the Technics belt drive models were the "low end entry level" decks. That's what I started with (SL-B2). Back in the day, 70's early 80's, most average people just wanted something to play records on. Even tho' there were those with deeper pockets that sought out higher level gear most folks didn't buy the pricier stuff. If someone wants consider the SL-QD33 a low end deck let 'em. That thinking will keep prices reasonable for us that know.

Don't make the mistake of equating price with level of performance. Belt drives are MUCH cheaper to build equating to a lower retail price within the same lineup, this doesn't change the tables position within the Technics DD table tier.

 

[Stone2266]

Well yeah, and in reality there is thousands of budget used table out there that fit that bill. Most people know on this site that one is better off with limited funds to shop old decks opposed to new because you can get better for less money. But in this hobby that is called entry level, it's just what it is and you shouldn't be offended by it.

We all find the level at where we need to stop elevating in this hobby, to some it's not even a hobby. When it all boils down, it's just a tool and to have something in the home that plays music for when we want to listen to some.


Thank you

Thanks, no offense taken.