Technics SL1500 phono stage connection

[Gray]

I don't understand why longer cables are a requirement. Most turntable cables are that length for a reason and better screened????
If they worked well enough to be fitted in the first instance what has come along the require this?

Of course supplied TT cables are adequate*, with no need for changing - and extension best avoided.
But in that particular club there were hum issues and much disconnection / reconnection and movement by different, non- careful DJs.

The stranded-screen bootlace cable on those decks was replaced with triple screened durable cable - and longer to avoid the need for joins.

*Having said that supplied cables are adequate....despite great care, the thin, molded stuff on my Rega arm went intermittent on one channel - that's why I fitted sockets on my Thorens.

I can understand why the OP isn't keen on his captive cables - even on the king of durable turntables.

 

[RoA]

He could of course get a 1500C or, better still, a GR AND a better cartridge and phono stage 🙂

Win, win.

 

[Jasonovich]

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.

Curious, in addition to integrated phono does the 1500 TT have a line out?
If so, this entertains the possibility of adding a quality phono preamp in the near future, should you need one.

 

[Jasonovich]

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.

Curious, in addition to integrated phone does the 1500 TT have a line out.
If so, this entertains the possibility of adding a quality phono preamp in the near future, should you need one.

 

[Al ears]

Curious, in addition to integrated phono does the 1500 TT have a line out?
If so, this entertains the possibility of adding a quality phono preamp in the near future, should you need one.

It does but why buy a turntable with a phono stage that is, at some point, going to be redundant?

 

[Jasonovich]

It does but why buy a turntable with a phono stage that is, at some point, going to be redundant?

It's a good question AI 🙂
I can't speak for the OP but I'm looking at it in terms of having the option to upgrade later on.

If it were I, it would be down to costs, don't have the budget for a decent phono preamp at the moment so I'll make do with the 1500 and when I have the funds........

 

[nopiano]

It's a good question AI 🙂
I can't speak for the OP but I'm looking at it in terms of having the option to upgrade later on.

If it were I, it would be down to costs, don't have the budget for a decent phono preamp at the moment so I'll make do with the 1500 and when I have the funds........

I believe TTs with built in phono stages usually have a switch to select equalised or unamplified levels.

 

[Rui]

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..

well it´s a good way to connect it, is there any better, don´t say balanced XRL cables, it´s a turntable not a studio or outdoors mixing board, the litle ground wire would solve a problem to new turntables or record spiners owners all over the world,i know how the earth connection is made but some countries electric system won´t work with them Pro-Ject or Rega turntables ,i´m already experienced in reduce humming to new not cable earthed turntables, wherever they work, would like to see it

 

[Rui]

I believe TTs with built in phono stages usually have a switch to select equalised or unamplified levels.

i believe when the phono stage in amplifiers and really expensive ones had a good or more than one good phono stage ,this new are a product of reducing productions costs,

one as a amplifier or control aqmplifier with two independent phono inputs and in some even a litle volume knob more seen in the back for mc cartridges,

today one connects the turntables to a auxiliary input, instead of a perfect built phono stage, maybe Yamaha already knew it in the first half of the 70´s, "we are going tgo make it this way ,or in 50 years or more our amplifiers, control amplifiers, integrated amplifiers and stereo receivers would work just fine" a visionary brand,

Pioneer did it but maybe they thought people wouldn´t bend so much to have real badly built things that can play a record or vinil with horrible sound saying it´s the best,

sold like if were made entirelly of gold or titanium and at least with 70´s technology, but was only wishfull dreamin`

 

[Entrigo]

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.

I have a 1500 and with a good cartridge it's a very fine turntable. I demoed a Rega P6 last year as a potential upgrade but there wasn't anything in it between the two.

The phono stage is quite decent - I also tried a Rega Fono MK5 and while the latter was a smidgen better, but I felt it wasn't that much of a difference to justify the extra £220. If you want to better it, you need to look upwards of £300.

P.s. I now run it with two very good MC cartridges with a KAB fluid damper and a very fine phono stage (which new costs over 1.5 times the TT) and it sounds excellent.

 

[Entrigo]

Curious, in addition to integrated phono does the 1500 TT have a line out?
If so, this entertains the possibility of adding a quality phono preamp in the near future, should you need one.

It does indeed. The built in phono is pretty decent but there is definitely room to upgrade should you wish to. And if you use the line-out, you just switch off the phono so it's like it isn't even there.

 

[RoA]

I have a 1500 and with a good cartridge it's a very fine turntable. I demoed a Rega P6 last year as a potential upgrade but there wasn't anything in it between the two.

The phono stage is quite decent - I also tried a Rega Fono MK5 and while the latter was a smidgen better, but I felt it wasn't that much of a difference to justify the extra £220. If you want to better it, you need to look upwards of £300.

P.s. I now run it with two very good MC cartridges with a KAB fluid damper and a very fine phono stage (which new costs over 1.5 times the TT) and it sounds excellent.

I've looked at the KAB add-on but decided it is not worth it for me because my Technics is the bottom model and records are not my main source. As with everything on a deck, results are depending on a variety of factors, from cartridge to the record. Quite a few folks report no change or, in some cases, adverse results. Most however seem to be happy (as I guess they have to be after spending £180).

Personally I'd rather invest that into a better cartridge but without trying the KAB, I can't really comment for or against and it looks both well made and part of the turntable once fitted.

 

[Entrigo]

I've looked at the KAB add-on but decided it is not worth it for me because my Technics is the bottom model and records are not my main source. As with everything on a deck, results are depending on a variety of factors, from cartridge to the record. Quite a few folks report no change or, in some cases, adverse results. Most however seem to be happy (as I guess they have to be after spending £180).

Personally I'd rather invest that into a better cartridge but without trying the KAB, I can't really comment for or against and it looks both well made and part of the turntable once fitted.

I guess depends on the cartridge you have. For a moving magnet it will probably make little difference, but did make my AT33PTGII MC sound better, especially in the low end.

 

[TK421]

He hasn't got the 1500 yet.

I do now. Sold the 1210 and bought the 1500. First listen and the sound is smoother and rounder...to my ears.
This leads me to a connexion question. I had assumed that as I'm using a phono preamp (Cambridge audio Alva solo) that I would connect it to the "line out" of the turntable. This lead to distored noise.. So I changed it and plugged the preamp into the Phono plugs of the deck and this worked. I also connected the ground wire as described in the manual. Is this correct?
My assumption was/is that by using the TT Line Out, I would be using the Alva solo phono stage. By connecting the TT phono to the preamp, I'm making one or the other redundant.
Or is it that the Line Out uses the inbuilt phono stage?

 

[nopiano]

Or is it that the Line Out uses the inbuilt phono stage?

That would be my assumption, because ‘line’ implies at 0.5 volts rather than mere millivolts. What does the handbook say?

 

[TK421]

That would be my assumption, because ‘line’ implies at 0.5 volts rather than mere millivolts. What does the handbook say?

Makes sense as the Line Out from the TT to the preamp doesn't work and makes distorted noise...

 

[nopiano]

Makes sense as the Line Out from the TT to the preamp doesn't work and makes distorted noise...

The distortion will be the input overloading - too much signal. But you won’t damage it; it should recover!

 

[Entrigo]

I do now. Sold the 1210 and bought the 1500. First listen and the sound is smoother and rounder...to my ears.
This leads me to a connexion question. I had assumed that as I'm using a phono preamp (Cambridge audio Alva solo) that I would connect it to the "line out" of the turntable. This lead to distored noise.. So I changed it and plugged the preamp into the Phono plugs of the deck and this worked. I also connected the ground wire as described in the manual. Is this correct?
My assumption was/is that by using the TT Line Out, I would be using the Alva solo phono stage. By connecting the TT phono to the preamp, I'm making one or the other redundant.
Or is it that the Line Out uses the inbuilt phono stage?

Line out is when you use the built-in phono - line out to line in your amp. Making sure the preamp is on (can't remember what the switch says exactly). If you want to use an external phono, you need to use the phono out. Anyway the noise is always an indicator that something is not right.

 

[TK421]

Line out is when you use the built-in phono - line out to line in your amp. Making sure the preamp is on (can't remember what the switch says exactly). If you want to use an external phono, you need to use the phono out. Anyway the noise is always an indicator that something is not right.

I figured as much. Thanks for confirming.

 

[Rui]

That would be my assumption, because ‘line’ implies at 0.5 volts rather than mere millivolts. What does the handbook say?

i didn´t knew it could go up to half a volt of power , thought it were milivolts but it depends on the line,

i´m also not used to have a turntable connected to the aux. line or input line but the Phono input, normally a built for it input with diferent impedance , 47.000 Ohms are the usual on MM cartridges,

and lower values to MC cartridges improving or using it´s specified frequency response, either way it sounds good in what concerns to the sound heard,

I have new cartridges and have a thorens pre-amplifier but having good phono stages on the amplifiers in use , i think it´s better more with mc cartridges ,only had output volume in older or 70´s amplifiers ,

having a good sound output on Yamaha or Pioneer amplifiers , normally on the back or by the side on Pioneer or frontal too depending on the model, also when wanting louder volume i put on the tape monitor using the rec level knob as pre-amp on the source position of the cassette deck,

what i noticed is the size of new cartridges being smaller compared to older and better sounding cartridges,

what i´m wanting to know is what are you´re thoughts on old phono inputs with selectable impedance compared to have a regular input line in use, i´ve already done it but either way it sounds good maybe not so detailed,

like in the 2M black from Ortofon that i heard often say it was very good but the cadenza series is what it seems the old standart in Ortofon cartridges, even MM cartridges,

i guess it migh be related with age, we forget how better was our listening when young not higher or lower volume but quality wise,

as an example, i almost two years ago tried the Hana Umami red , i was satisfied and really enjoyed it´s sound, (this before checking it´s real price on a on-line store)
at a lower price also liked the Grado Prestige III Gold, it seems to have a deeper sound and it´s a MM cartridge

 

[Gray]

i didn´t knew it could go up to half a volt of power , thought it were milivolts

Half a volt = 500 millivolts 👍
(and that equals about 125x more than a MM phono input expects to get 😱.... hence the distortion).