My SL-QL1 @ Vantage Audio service

[chris@panteg]

Right folk's i originally bought this old 1980's Technics linear tracker purely for a bit of fun and for casual use in the family system ! purchased in June 2009 for £25 off eBay , here is a piccie of an SLQL1 though not mine ' just for reference.



Its 7.4 kilo's and very solidly made , a joy to use.


Now in the time i have this modest and actually half decent performer ' I've grown rather fond of it , true its not going to challenge the SL1200 or many other high quality decks , but i like it and now 25 years old give or take i quite like the idea of using it for another 25 years god willing i will last that long .

So to the point of this thread and in all honesty its more about Vantage Audio and their service's than my modest QL1 ! as its now in Richard's capable hands .


I will add updates as and when i can ! but so far Richard has done a thorough test and inspection and presented to me a list of options so take a look.

[B]Special center weight to improve overall dynamics and resonance control

Replacement footers to improve isolation

Special sub-frame mount to further improve mounting and isolation

Replacement main bearing thrust assembly to lower noise floor

Replacement phono lead set to improve signal noise rej


Pre-service listening checks:

Unit and supplied accessories as received: captive power cord, captive audio output leads, platter, mat, AT3482P cart installed (no protective cap)

Cosmetic condition: good, usual age related marks, etc

Initial power up: line power set to 220-240vac, all LEDS & buttons function OK, platter spins freely, quartz lock/strobe OK, speed change OK, test record plays OK, linear arm movemnt reasonable in all directions, servo motor settings require adjustment )cartridge is "leading" servo motor when record is tracking).

Initial listening impressions: installed AT cart tends to "meld" sound of instruments together with overall dynamics masked. Comparison listening test carried out with Technics P23 cartridge fitted with a new elliptical stylus and found the soundstage to be much more presentable and less muddled. Slight pitch waver on some notes, will compare after service. Check function of muting circuit (RH channel muted level slightly high).

Recommendations: normal motor service, replacement electrolytic pack, tighten power supply +B line with improved regualtion, service linear arm track and cueing damper.

Further recommendations: upgrade phono cartridge, upgrade captive audio output leads, consider removal of power supply components to external chassis for improved EMF reading and noise floor, consider upgraded footers and support

[DSJR]

Sounds good to me.

Good luck

[Rare Bird]

We used that very same turntable in the record shop i worked in early 80's, was reliable enough

[chris@panteg]

Thanks Guy's , i hope it may be of some interest

Now a small omission the cost of a Vantage service is £49 with an additional £33 for a full electric pack replacement kit.

The off board psu option price ' is in the region of £150 i think , there is also a main bearing upgrade for the SL1200/1210 with 2 option's either modify the original or an entirely new fabricated bearing made to order ! serious stuff .

[Marco]

You're making me worried for my Techie now, Chris!

Marco.

[chris@panteg]

Don't be Marco

Your new platter has put a big smile on your face ' that's what matter's .

Richard has 30 years experience with servicing turntables and Direct Drive is his speciality , he told me he bought an LP12 once and used it for a very very brief time , also Marco i did ask for you ' if he could contribute here ' but is absolutely not interested in online forum's , too much nastiness and willy waver's (his words) .

But a really nice bloke and even in the short time i met him , i got the impression this guy knows a hell of a lot about DD turntables and indeed turntables in general

[Darren]

Hi Chris,
Do you have some contact details for Vantage Audio Please?

I agree with much of what he says re Internet forums - they are chock full of nasty, small minded tossers. But i have to say that AOS is different.

I get the feeling that Marco doesn take much shit........

[hifi_dave]

There is very little aggression and nastiness on this Forum, unlike some where I don't contribute as much as I could because of small mindedness and aggression.

[Reid Malenfant]

There is very little aggression and nastiness on this Forum, unlike some where I don't contribute as much as I could because of small mindedness and aggression.

I totally agree Dave.

In fact i used to post on a couple of other forums to do with AV & DIY stuff, but as soon as i found AoS i found myself no longer bothering with the others

It just appears that lots of fairly like minded people (read reasonable) decided to make a home here & long may it stay that way

[Big Vern]

Hi Chris,

Glad to hear you got to meet Richard - he is one of the nicest people you could wish to meet; he regularly goes out of his way to help his customers

Over the last six years, he's done quite a bit for me, including providing me with the entire wiring loom for my system! He's one of those guys that just quietly gets on with things, adroitly turning his hand to just about anything audio related, be it repairs, tweaks or bespoke hardware items (SP 10 plinth springs to mind).

Where Richard really excels is in the engineering field - some of his armboards, for example, are works of art (see the photos of the Onkyo armboard on my PX-100M thread) and his cosmetic work is quite stunning. Take a look at some of the cracked plinth repairs he's undertaken on a number of Trio L-07Ds; they are perfection. It was Richard's amazing repair work on Howard's L-07D that gave rise to H's passion for the L-07D and ultimately saw the birth of www.l-07d.com

Bottom line - he's an enthusiast with a passion for what he does. Okay, I'm not being paid to type all of this, even if it seems like I may well be on the Vantage Audio payroll I'm just very grateful to Richard for all of the help he's given to me over the years and I appreciate him for what he is; a lovely, genuine guy

Good luck with the SL-QL1, Chris, I have no doubt it will be extra superb when you get it back...

Best Wishes,

Paul.