Calling all Technics SL1500C owners - Cue lever

[Entrigo]

Looking forward to your comparison/impressions

Ha, well sadly I don't think I will do a proper A/B as I had planned, also as I'm dropping off the 1500C to his new home today at lunch (and it's a bit of faff to do anyway, which put me off).

Early impressions are a bit mixed. Played three records so far, which I know quite well or have played recently:

Syd Barrett - Barrett: sounded good but I didn't feel such a leap from the 1500C - also sounded a bit dark, but I am conscious a reviewer's comment of the 1300G sounding "dark" compared to the 1200GR2/G might have been at the back of my mind.

Pixies - Doolittle: this sounded amazing. The drums and bass especially were taut and engaging and in general there was more space and definition all across the spectrum. I did tweak loading on the phono stage (from 100 to 220 ohm) to be fair but I had also played around with loading on the 1500C and it never sounded this good.

Nice Cave - Dig Lazarus Dig - again, sounded good but not sure that much better than on the 1500C. Though it has to be said, this was the later repress, which I had never played before, so that might be it. I'll try playing the first pressing again later for a clearer comparison.

Anyway, even if it is just for the smoother and more satisfying operation, it was worth it! 😆

I now know I can press the lever all the way down and walk away, confident the arm will descend slowly and smoothly, instead of have to carefully lower it all the way down, and always with the fear it would drop too quickly anyway. Also the stop/start buttons have a slightly more reassuring feel when pressed.

 

[Entrigo]

Looking forward to your comparison/impressions

Although... Now that I think about it.

I really should do a quick A/B before selling it. Mumble mumble... And I'm working from home and have a quiet morning...

C'mon - I'll do it haha. Will revert.

 

[Entrigo]

OK, well done the A/B - it is not a night and day difference - as I'd suspected - but you can't miss it.

The SL1300G digs out a bit more detail and overall music has more presence, instruments have clearer edges and sparkle. While the SL1500C is assured in terms of pace, the 1300G is more engaging. Dynamic shifts are that tiny bit more dramatic.

The SL1500C remains a very good turntable though.

 

[RoA]

Thank you Entrigo. Glad to hear my 100C is not a (complete) write off. Vinyl is not my primary source so no need to change this but the 1300G looks like a class deck albeit at a huge difference in price.

I guess, some of the changes you've pointed out could be made by a cartridge change but the basic parameters are given by material and construction quality of the turntable.

One question though, whilst I do not like the feel of the lever I can just let it drop and it descends reasonably slowly (not Rega slowly). It will certainly never just freefall. Did you experience a damaged cartridge on your 1500 because of this?

Enjoy 👍