Technics SL 1600/1700/1800

[Techno Commander]

I have been looking at the Technics SL 1600/1700/1800 turntables on the bay and these appear to offer a lot of turntable for reasonable money. For the small ammount of vinyl I have, it probably isnt worthwhile investing in a 1210, but one of these may be a viable alternative.

I believe the difference between these is auto/semi auto/manual operation, although the auto function can be "switched off". Is either of these preferable over the others, or is it a case of just trying to find the best one for a decent price?

[Effem]

I keep eyeing these decks up as well although I don't play vinyl that often and I already have an Akai DD that I don't use much already

[DSJR]

The decks you mention have a stiffly sprung sub chassis in the form of the top plate being attached to the feet and the bottom "tray" containing motor and arm section suspended from springs attached around each foot. Isolation is better than the standard rubber "bells" on the previous range (1300/1400/1500/150 mk1) but the overall sonics are similar - big and beefy but maybe not the "grip" of the current quartz locked model.

Don't despair though, as the sound is really good, if a little "dark toned." If my 150 and memories of the numerous 1700's we sold are anything to go by, the Timestep/Herbies mat balances the bass up (the supplied heavy rubber mat works ok too, but with more bass than perhaps it should be). the arms are massier than the current ones and work perfectly with moving coil cartridges.

[Techno Commander]

Sounds ideal for some of the punishing tunes I have on vinyl.

[DSJR]

I sold loads of SL1700's (auto return) and the auto trip is very gentle - as good as a Dual IMO. These decks often were sold with Ultimo (now Dynavector) 20A's and 10X's, a great sound being achieved to me..

These decks are waking up on the used market now, so prices won't be the bargain £30 - £50 any more. They're still excellent buys at £100 though, although spares are no longer available.

P.S. Regarding spares, it's the 13/14/1500mk2 cueing devices which fail and although someone was looking into making a repair kit of some sort, I don't think this has materialised - it's a pain to strip out too. This doesn't apply to the decks above.

[jandl100]

I have a Techie SL1800 that I recently bought on eBay for £85.
My rebodied Denon 103 works superbly in it, I honestly have not heard it seeming happier - I don't miss my old Techie SL1210 at all, in fact I think it sounds better than that ever did. It gives the best sound I have ever had from vinyl, imho.

My original plan was to down-size/-price/-sq my tt cos I didn't use it much and I was getting fed up with naff used LPs ... but my love of vinyl has been reinvigorated by going from a 1210 to a 1800, not diminished.

For me, the reduction in 'grip' that Dave mentions has increased the natural musical flow giving a more relaxed and natural result.

[Hypnotoad]

I really like my SL1700 that I picked up cheaply, I also think it sounds more musical than a stock SL1200 Mk2, but that may be mental illness on my part.

The auto return part is great for me as I often fall asleep while listening to my favorite albums.

[DSJR]

The sprung suspension must help a bit over the rubber-footed examples..

The recommendation for the Herbies/Timestep mat definitely still stands though.

[Marco]

Indeed - that's why Isonoe feet (which are sprung) are an absolute must initial tweak for a stock SL-1200/1210

Marco.

[Alex_UK]

Is the PSU better sited in the 1600/1700/1800 (etc.) than the 1200/10 too? That may also explain some of the difference over the stock 1200/10?