High-end tweeks for a vintage Technics Tuntable


Audiogoners,

I will appreciate your recommendations on all the tweeks and/or upgrades for my Vintage Technics turntable model SL-1600 MK2 from the early 80's in my home office system. My main system has a Linn LP-12 fully loaded with EKOS tonearm, Archiv cartridge, Lingo power supply, Lingo phono pre amp, circus, trampolin, etc.

I just purchased a new Shure Type V XMR cartridge for it and will like to add some more upgrades like a better mat, headshell wires, record clamp, high-end phono cables, isolation devices, and more ....

Have anyone done this with this kind of turntable ?

Here is a brief description of the unit and you can connect to this internet link if you want to see a picture of it: http://mark.kouts.home.mindspring.com/1600mk2.html

SL-1600Mk2

Quartz Phase-Locked Direct-Drive Automatic Turntable

ca. 1979-80

Total quartz-locked continuous (analog) pitch adjustment of +6%. Aluminum die cast cabinet with Double Insulated Suspension System utilizing TNRC (Technics Non Resonant Compound) Inner Base. Underside of turntable platter vibration-damped with specially-fabricated rubber matting. Integral rotor/platter motor with full-cycle detection FG delivers 1.5 kg/cm starting torque, allowing platter to reach 33 RPM within 0.7 seconds. All front-panel controls, including start/stop, cueing, speed, and LED pitch variation display. Control buttons are precision-designed to require a moderate but definite amount of pressure for activation, providing a sense of positive control while minimizing the possibility of accidental operation. Automatic disc-size selection and Repeat Play Control with infrared sensor. High sensitivity, low-mass gimbal-suspension tonearm. Fully automatic tonearm operation controlled by microprocessor. Muting circuit eliminates unwanted noise at needle touch-down and lift-off at beginning and end of record. Universal interchangeable headshell design. Gold plated contacts. Helicoid arm-height adjustment over a range of 6 mm to accommodate varying cartridge dimensions. Stylus illuminator for low-light conditions. Quick stops achieved with a fully electronic braking system. Red LED strobe illumination controlled by the extremely stable quartz oscillator rather than potentially unstable AC line frequency.

This player came out as an updated and improved version of the SL-1600, and in the process replaced the SL-1300Mk2. Unlike the relatively minor changes from the SL-1300 to the SL-1600, the second Mk2 series was a complete redesign from the ground up, incorporating a new motor, new quartz-controlled electronics, and new tonearm. Like the rest of its series, the SL-1600Mk2 was marketed as a high-end "professional" item, much like the SL-1300Mk2, but differed from that model in several important respects. Firstly, it utilized an analog (vs. digital) pitch control system. Secondly, the tonearm was redesigned, and the trouble-prone arm-lift mechanism was replaced by a more reliable and smoother-operating microprocessor-controlled, motor-driven assembly. Lastly, through tighter electronic integration and manufacturing advances, it was also significantly cheaper to produce and sell than the SL-1300Mk2.

Thanks,
128x128tube_guy

Showing 2 responses by binaural

Hi Tube guy,
I've got this exact turntable (although it has been boxed up for nearly 15 years). Brings back memories... that orange/red strobe light in the dark kinda' looks like a glowing tube. :^)
Re: caveat #1 in Psychicanimal's post. I know it's been 15 years since I've used the 'table, but my SL-1600MKII had VTA adjustment... via a large ring at the base of the tonearm. Great post though, makes me want to go break that bad boy out of storage (built like a tank).