Technics SL1500 phono stage connection

[TK421]

Morning all,
Quick question as I'm looking at purchasing a Technics SL1500 which has an integrated phono stage.
My amp doesn't have a phono connection (Cambridge Audio CXA81) so does this mean that it doesn't need one and the integrated stage on the turntable will suffice?
Thanks

 

[RoA]

Correct. Just connect to a line in.

 

[TK421]

Correct. Just connect to a line in.

Thanks!

 

[RoA]

Great TT. I went for the model without included phono stage after a Rega P3. Whilst the Technics doesn't feel as nice to use it sounds great and the interchangeable head shells are very useful.

 

[TK421]

Great TT. I went for the model without included phono stage after a Rega P3. Whilst the Technics doesn't feel as nice to use it sounds great and the interchangeable head shells are very useful.

Thanks!
I have a early 2000s Technics 1210 MK2 with an old Technics mixing table SH-DJ1200 which currently serves as the phono stage.
As I'm no DJ, I'm going to replace with the SL1500 which seems to be more plug and play...

 

[Gray]

Thanks!
I have a early 2000s Technics 1210 MK2 with an old Technics mixing table SH-DJ1200 which currently serves as the phono stage.
As I'm no DJ, I'm going to replace with the SL1500 which seems to be more plug and play...

Much as I've always liked the look of the 1500, I'm wondering whether you'll get sufficient sound quality increase over what you already have.
Maybe SQ isn't your top priority anyway.
No mention of cartridges so far....

 

[TK421]

Much as I've always liked the look of the 1500, I'm wondering whether you'll get sufficient sound quality increase over what you already have.
Maybe SQ isn't your top priority anyway.
No mention of cartridges so far....

SQ is a priority (within budget) but I think that using the mix table as the phono pre amp hasn't been giving me it tbh. I could invest in a seperate phono cartridge but the 1210 MK2 isn't really an "audiophile" piece of kit.

 

[Al ears]

SQ is a priority (within budget) but I think that using the mix table as the phono pre amp hasn't been giving me it tbh. I could invest in a seperate phono cartridge but the 1210 MK2 isn't really an "audiophile" piece of kit.

.....and the 1500 is??
If I owned a perfectly functional 1210 mk2 I know where my money would be going.
Having said that if a 1500 with inbuilt phono preamp and 2M Red cartridge does what you want.......

 

[Gray]

SQ is a priority (within budget) but I think that using the mix table as the phono pre amp hasn't been giving me it tbh. I could invest in a seperate phono cartridge but the 1210 MK2 isn't really an "audiophile" piece of kit.

I agree that the built-in phono preamp of the 1500 might sound better than what you've got in your Technics mixer.
The 1500 lacks the superfluous speed control of the 1210 and, I think, looks better for that.
It could also be described as being a more 'audiophile piece of kit' if only by virtue of not being intended for DJ use.

I can appreciate the attraction of a 1500....unless I already owned a (perfectly working) 1210 - personally I'd be sticking with that - and trying a few standalone phono preamps before settling on one.

 

[TK421]

If I owned a perfectly functional 1210 mk2 I know where my money would be going.
..

A phono preamp?

 

[TK421]

I agree that the built-in phono preamp of the 1500 might sound better than what you've got in your Technics mixer.
The 1500 lacks the superfluous speed control of the 1210 and, I think, looks better for that.
It could also be described as being a more 'audiophile piece of kit' if only by virtue of not being intended for DJ use.

I can appreciate the attraction of a 1500....unless I already owned a (perfectly working) 1210 - personally I'd be sticking with that - and trying a few standalone phono preamps before settling on one.

I appreciate that the 1500 isn't a 4K piece of kit but it ticks quite a few boxes. My plan was to use it's phono stage and replace the 2M Red with a 2M blue.

 

[TK421]

Also, it's always irked me that the 1210 MK2 has integrated crappy RCA cables and a ground wire that needs attaching to the amp..

 

[Al ears]

Also, it's always irked me that the 1210 MK2 has integrated crappy RCA cables and a ground wire that needs attaching to the amp..

Not too sure what you mean by crappy RCA cables.
The earth needs to be connected to something, that might be a phono preamp.
In my opinion you are doing the right thing if you intend to upgrade that 2M Red.

 

[RoA]

All new Technics decks will sound better than older 1210's. Improved Direct Drive, Platters etc.

 

[RoA]

Also, it's always irked me that the 1210 MK2 has integrated crappy RCA cables and a ground wire that needs attaching to the amp..

The 1500C still has a ground wire

 

[Al ears]

All new Technics decks will sound better than older 1210's. Improved Direct Drive, Platters etc.

As it stands quite possibly, however, what I was implying was if he took a portion of his £800 and bought a decent cartridge/headshell and phono preamp for his 1210 the sound quality might well go the other way.

 

[RoA]

As it stands quite possibly, however, what I was implying was if he took a portion of his £800 and bought a decent cartridge/headshell and phono preamp for his 1210 the sound quality might well go the other way.

Indeed

 

[Al ears]

PS: I must state that I have no idea as to the quality of the phono preamp fitted to the 1500c deck.

 

[Rui]

Thanks!
I have a early 2000s Technics 1210 MK2 with an old Technics mixing table SH-DJ1200 which currently serves as the phono stage.
As I'm no DJ, I'm going to replace with the SL1500 which seems to be more plug and play...

I if the sl-1200 mk II is in good condition would sell the SL-1500 and keep the 79 model, i had two while a dj and after so many years they worked as new , it is well built, none of the more recent models of the 1200 as the same quality, several times when going to play music in parties they already had turntables but more recent than mine and only could notice it weren´t so well built but working good as it should, i also have a old technics mixing table that i had it at home to work with the two turntables was very good too, ended up selling them as i need auto-return as i fall asleep listening to music if without auto-return the stylus would keep rotating ´till i wake up ,so not good for me and also had better from Technics bought in the same year, new technics turntables are good but i compare them and none had the quality of 70´s technics, it seems they are adding more 70´s technology and selling expensive, some features are ridiculous, compared to old 70´s turntables

 

[Rui]

All new Technics decks will sound better than older 1210's. Improved Direct Drive, Platters etc.

I think it´s the reverse, not so well built ancient technology compared to second half of the 70´s general turntable technology and there a lot better from 72 at least, that i know of, direct drive in newer turntables as a lot worst engines and still to come acurate direct drive quartz engines, so i don´t understnad you´re comment about newer technics turntabçles asi bought after the 70´s technics turntables who were excelent but all also from other brands bought in 80´s or 90´s are stopped needing repairs , the reason why i´m still using 70´s technics turntables that never needed a repair either than mandatory maintenace