Technics SL-1700 MK1 - New to me!
Mar 29, 2023 10:01:21 GMT
antonio, electronumpty, and 2 more like this
Post by optical on Mar 29, 2023 10:01:21 GMT
As my love for 70's Japanese hifi continues to dictate my ebay spending . . . I happened across this.
A cheeky bid and it's mine.
Now I wasn't only interested in the TT at first, also the Technics 205c II cartridge that was on it and with a spare needle.
Unfortunately upon arrival inspection of both needles indicated that both of them were well beyond use (a real shame). So the buyer partially refunded me after we came to an agreement.
I would have sent the entire thing back but the TT is something else . . . .
It was bought to replace my 'daily' spinner TT, an Audio Technica LP5. I know the Technics should be superior with its heavier chassis and clever sprung platter/arm assembly coupled with a powerful DD motor. The arm is also fairly decent.
So after cleaning the pitch adjust pots (there was some drift at first) and inspecting the bearings on the arm (they are perfect with no play) I put a record on.
Well it doesn't beat the LP5, it actually makes it sound like a toy in comparison.
What it offers (and in significantly more amount than most other TT's I've heard) is 'weight' of sound. It gets more information out of the record and adds a real helping of depth/texture. The speakers are much more 'alive' than with the LP5. Although the LP5 had a pretty good sound I maintain, especially for it's price.
But this is much more light on it's feet whilst also sounding more weighty. The speed is absolutely rock solid too with no drift on the strobe and only tiny adjustments required every so often, I've had to adjust it maybe 3 times in two weeks, listening every night pretty much.
Much like the Technics tape deck I recently bought, it looks like it's barely been used. No fading on the lettering, no scratches or marks anywhere. Under the platter is spotless and the motor is completely silent.
Very VERY happy with this one. (Although a shame about the carts).
It's important to me to have a 'back-up' to my SP10, although that phrase is probably doing it a disservice as it see's more use than the SP10 by a fair factor. I do play a lot of records in the background while I'm just 'doing stuff'. For this, with a decent MM cart on, it's perfect for my needs.
Another really cool feature (that also works flawlessly) is the Auto-return mechanism, it's quiet and just works. I've found this really great for late night sessions where I may be dozing only to come round and hey presto, the TT has stopped playing and moved the arm back to it's rest saving wear on the deck, magic.
A cheeky bid and it's mine.
Now I wasn't only interested in the TT at first, also the Technics 205c II cartridge that was on it and with a spare needle.
Unfortunately upon arrival inspection of both needles indicated that both of them were well beyond use (a real shame). So the buyer partially refunded me after we came to an agreement.
I would have sent the entire thing back but the TT is something else . . . .
It was bought to replace my 'daily' spinner TT, an Audio Technica LP5. I know the Technics should be superior with its heavier chassis and clever sprung platter/arm assembly coupled with a powerful DD motor. The arm is also fairly decent.
So after cleaning the pitch adjust pots (there was some drift at first) and inspecting the bearings on the arm (they are perfect with no play) I put a record on.
Well it doesn't beat the LP5, it actually makes it sound like a toy in comparison.
What it offers (and in significantly more amount than most other TT's I've heard) is 'weight' of sound. It gets more information out of the record and adds a real helping of depth/texture. The speakers are much more 'alive' than with the LP5. Although the LP5 had a pretty good sound I maintain, especially for it's price.
But this is much more light on it's feet whilst also sounding more weighty. The speed is absolutely rock solid too with no drift on the strobe and only tiny adjustments required every so often, I've had to adjust it maybe 3 times in two weeks, listening every night pretty much.
Much like the Technics tape deck I recently bought, it looks like it's barely been used. No fading on the lettering, no scratches or marks anywhere. Under the platter is spotless and the motor is completely silent.
Very VERY happy with this one. (Although a shame about the carts).
It's important to me to have a 'back-up' to my SP10, although that phrase is probably doing it a disservice as it see's more use than the SP10 by a fair factor. I do play a lot of records in the background while I'm just 'doing stuff'. For this, with a decent MM cart on, it's perfect for my needs.
Another really cool feature (that also works flawlessly) is the Auto-return mechanism, it's quiet and just works. I've found this really great for late night sessions where I may be dozing only to come round and hey presto, the TT has stopped playing and moved the arm back to it's rest saving wear on the deck, magic.
