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I have an old Technics SL-1500 laying around and I was thinking about replacing the cartridge and putting it back in commission. Is this an O.K. table? My budget for the cartridge is around $100. With the new cartridge will I get a good sound out of this turntable or should I be looking at getting something new?
I have an old Technics SL-1500 laying around and I was thinking about replacing the cartridge and putting it back in commission. Is this an O.K. table? My budget for the cartridge is around $100. With the new cartridge will I get a good sound out of this turntable or should I be looking at getting something new?
It's a very good turntable and can be upgraded much like the SL1200.
The best cartridge match would be a Denon like the DL-110 which should be available for around your budget price. This is a high output moving coil so should work with just about any phonostage, assuming you have one of those already right? a vintage reciever kicking around somewhere maybe?
Longterm you can upgrade the tonearm by removing the current arm and mount and fitting a new one like those supplied here soundsupports
A popular choice would be to a upgrade to Rega RB250 which will cost around 300USD.
It's also worth checking out the upgrades for the SL1200 at Kabusa as most of them should work on the SL1500. The outbard electronic PSU is meant to be a good upgrade and they also supply the Isonoe Audio Isolation System feet which replace the stock ones.
The Sound Dead Steel platter mat is another good upgrade to the standard rubber one.
The most important thing to bear in mind straight away though is that the Technics needs a solid platform to sit on in order to work properly. So unless you have concrete or stone floors then it's probably going to be better off on it's own wall mounted shelf like the ones made by Target or Apollo.
A fully upgraded Technics will be the equal of any modern turntable well into the thousands of dollars price bracket.
This post was very helpful thank you very much! I am currently a student and can only afford to upgrade the cartridge and have the table re-tuned right now, but I will keep all upgrades In mind for the future. What makes old technics so good, can you reference me a website to read up on?
It's actually a bit of a controversial subject . Most of what you'll find online is about the SL1200 because of it's modern iconic status but technically the SL1500 is almost identical.
Sorry for the stupid questions but is the rb250 upgrade for DJ use or is it also beneficial for everyday listening?
Better for everyday use too. If you plan carefully you should be able to find a cart that will be an OK match for either arm. I would ABSOLUTELY get the new cart first, I think its much more significant than the arm.
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Originally Posted by mkmelt
ACHTUNG - ALLES KOPFPHONERLISTENERS
Alles kopfphonerlisteners non-technischens! Das tubenmachine is nicht for gefengerpoken und mittengrabben. Oderwise is easy schnappen der springenverk, blowenfus, und poppencap, mit spitzensparken, und smokentubes. Geverken inside der tubenmachine is fur der experten only. Is nicht fur geverken inside by das dumpkopfen. Das rubbernecken amateuren keepen das cotton-picken hands in das pockets. Just relaxen, enjoyen der musik, und vatchen das pretty glowentubes.
Sorry for the stupid questions but is the rb250 upgrade for DJ use or is it also beneficial for everyday listening?
It should benefit for both, but in this context it was meant for listening. The tonearm is widely thought of as the one weak point on these Technics tables.
Technics SL 1500
. Most of what you'll find online is about the SL1200 because of it's modern iconic status but technically the SL1500 is almost identical.
Linear Mode
