coachpoconnor...
I’ve had my SL23 for 42 years and love it. Yes the speed controls need cleaning once in a while. My only mods are the 6mm thick solid rubber Technics mat (which damps the platter better than the stock one), and the Pro-Ject Clamp-It record clamp (which isn’t really heavy but clamps to the spindle). I run it with a Denon DL301MkII MC and it sounds great in my system. The DL301mkII is higher compliance than the DL103. Tried the DL110 and didn’t like it, seemed uneven frequency response. I prefer the DL301mkII loaded at 476 ohms. Much more air and focus with the MC in my experience.
Good luck!
I’ve had my SL23 for 42 years and love it. Yes the speed controls need cleaning once in a while. My only mods are the 6mm thick solid rubber Technics mat (which damps the platter better than the stock one), and the Pro-Ject Clamp-It record clamp (which isn’t really heavy but clamps to the spindle). I run it with a Denon DL301MkII MC and it sounds great in my system. The DL301mkII is higher compliance than the DL103. Tried the DL110 and didn’t like it, seemed uneven frequency response. I prefer the DL301mkII loaded at 476 ohms. Much more air and focus with the MC in my experience.
Good luck!