Technics 1500

[Gray]

Would be interested to know if each deck was fitted with same cartridge, I guess they were...

Yes, all 6 with AT-OC9XEN (itself a former grouptest winner) and all via Cyrus Phono Signature > CA Edge A > into Kudos Titan 505 speakers.

 

[Al ears]

Yes, all 6 with AT-OC9XEN (itself a former grouptest winner) and all via Cyrus Phono Signature > CA Edge A > into Kudos Titan 505 speakers.

Suggests how important the tonearm is in a set-up

 

[nopiano]

Suggests how important the tonearm is in a set-up

Yes, it’s all flooding back now…because however great the cartridge is, arguably it works best in the most *compatible* arm - especially moving mass. The most compatible arm might not be on the best turntable. And so on!

 

[nopiano]

It came 2nd to the winning Rega P8 - which is no disgrace, since the two decks were at opposite ends of the £1500 - £1870 tested group of six.
(And still only the opinion of one reviewer, unlike HFC group tests of old).

Thanks! I’d misinterpreted Michell‘s quote from the review to mean it had come top. Still, as you say, it’s still great value. Was the SL1210 last?

 

[Gray]

Was the SL1210 last?

Joint last with Mofi StudioDeck - with the proviso, when speaking of the group, that 'there's no bad turntable here' (and we would hope not given their prices).

He reckoned the bottom two had 'more to give from their basic spec' - but only by spending more (a better mat I think, in the case of the 1210GR )

 

[nopiano]

Joint last with Mofi StudioDeck - with the proviso, when speaking of the group, that 'there's no bad turntable here' (and we would hope not given their prices).

He reckoned the bottom two had 'more to give from their basic spec' - but only by spending more (a better mat I think, in the case of the 1210GR )

Thanks very much. There are supporters for all manner of different mats but that’s a rabbit hole I’m going to avoid at the moment!

 

[nopiano]

@plastic penguin have you seen the Black Friday deal at £899 for the white SL1500?

Black Friday turntable deal alert! £200 off the Award-winning Technics SL-1500C

Big saving on the white finish

www.whathifi.com

 

[Gray]

@plastic penguin have you seen the Black Friday deal at £899 for the white SL1500?

Black Friday turntable deal alert! £200 off the Award-winning Technics SL-1500C

Big saving on the white finish

www.whathifi.com

I like that TT (and it wouldn't be the end of the world in white).

I do though, really dislike the fact that a trumpeted 'Big Saving' is merely a price returning to what it was - not so long ago.

 

[nopiano]

I like that TT (and it wouldn't be the end of the world in white).

I do though, really dislike the fact that a trumpeted 'Big Saving' is merely a price returning to what it was - not so long ago.

I thought that as I posted it. And only fifty quid less than my GR less than a year ago.

 

[plastic penguin]

I like that TT (and it wouldn't be the end of the world in white).

I do though, really dislike the fact that a trumpeted 'Big Saving' is merely a price returning to what it was - not so long ago.

That's the issue I have most so-called "Big savings", not just in hi-fi.

 

[Rui]

Thanks very much. There are supporters for all manner of different mats but that’s a rabbit hole I’m going to avoid at the moment!

the problem is new turntables being expensive without any qualitty compared to older turntables mainly from the 70´s,if theyn have a good cartridge and still exist substitution needles it will sound better but today one as to look very well to what they are selling i got three needles that are garbage till i found a brand that make them very similar to the older ones, the pro-ject ones we made the experiment to make one sound like it was an old turntable ,well between the turntable and the cartridge it costed 14.000€ which is too much in my opinion, i was using the worst turntable that i had but looked better than regular models from the same year the PL-ES from 74 pioneer ES-2000 system which is very similar to what they called ES-3000 ,only the furniture that came with it was diferent,it had the pc-30/pn-30n cartridge and stylus that i still had a new one in the box it came with the system with japanese characteres instruction manual, it was bought in japan and no one opened it

 

[SteveR750]

Matthew, did you / are you going to jump into the world of DD?
Like you I was a belt drive disciple for decades, largely having been dazzled (sucked in?) by the 80s Linn messaging. I bought a 1977 SL-1800 mk1 a year ago, and I have to say I love it. I'm just using the original technics 270C cartridge which is surprisingly good.
I also looked at the new 1500C and 1200 and would go for the higher spec version if I was in the marker, it has a better quality motor and electronics.
Fwiw I enjoy using the technics more than my old LP12, I don't mean it's sonically superior just that the linn was a pita to keep in optimum fettle.

 

[plastic penguin]

It'll either be one of the Technics or a Clearaudio Concept MM version. It's ridiculous to spend too much....

First off I want to sort a cartridge for the Pro-ject. Haven't played any LPs in several weeks.

 

[Oxfordian]

the problem is new turntables being expensive without any qualitty compared to older turntables mainly from the 70´s,if theyn have a good cartridge and still exist substitution needles it will sound better but today one as to look very well to what they are selling i got three needles that are garbage till i found a brand that make them very similar to the older ones, the pro-ject ones we made the experiment to make one sound like it was an old turntable ,well between the turntable and the cartridge it costed 14.000€ which is too much in my opinion, i was using the worst turntable that i had but looked better than regular models from the same year the PL-ES from 74 pioneer ES-2000 system which is very similar to what they called ES-3000 ,only the furniture that came with it was diferent,it had the pc-30/pn-30n cartridge and stylus that i still had a new one in the box it came with the system with japanese characteres instruction manual, it was bought in japan and no one opened it

The problem in stating that new turntables today are expensive but lack quality is that we will only know if the item has quality in a good many years time.

I have no reason to doubt that my P3 will still be spinning in 5, 10 or more years time. I am sure that were I to spend £3k on a new TT tomorrow from Pro-Ject, Rega, Origin Live or other respected brands I am sure that it will outlive me, there is no reason to say that it won't.

It is very easy to jump on the old is better bandwagon but none of us can say how HiFi we buy today will perform in the future or how it will last.

I suspect that many turntables bought today will last the test of time.