Technics SL-DL1 and P-mount cartridges [Archive] - Audio & Video Forums

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squeegy200
10-03-2007, 05:01 PM
A friend recently gave me a Technics SL-DL1. I remember these decks back in the early 80s.

When I received it, It had the OEM Audiotechnica cartridge but no stylus. After a few minor repairs, cleaning, and adjustments, the table is now fully functional--sans the stylus. I decided to replace the entire cartridge but found available selection very limited.

I opted to get an Ortofon OMP10 and have hooked it up to a McIntosh MAC 1700 receiver using the internal Phono stage. The resulting sound is acceptable.

This is a fun turntable but it does not have the musicality of my other decks. I've found this quite useful in converting my vinyl into MP3s. But nonetheless find it lifeless for dedicated listening.

I would like to try it with higher end phono stages which may require better cartridges. Are there low level moving coil cartridges for the P-mount platform that are not too expensive? (Remember, this table is worth less than $100 in the used marketplace)

I am open to suggestions?

JohnMichael
10-04-2007, 08:56 AM
I do not know of any mc cartridges in P mount. The Sumiko Blue used to come in P mount as did one from Aperture but both were many years ago. Some of the P mount tonearms had adjustable tracking force and some did not. The original idea was to have cartridges track at 1.25 grams. If your tonearm has no method of adjusting tracking force it may not be the right force for the OMP 10 which is 1.5 grams. A Shure in P mount might work better since they tracked better at the lighter force. Of course I do not know if Shure still manufacturers a P mount cartridge.

nobody
10-04-2007, 10:07 AM
If the Ortofon OMP is like the standard mount Ortofon OM series, you can replace the stylus assembly to upgrade the cartridge to an OM20, OM30 or OM40.

squeegy200
10-04-2007, 06:56 PM
If the Ortofon OMP is like the standard mount Ortofon OM series, you can replace the stylus assembly to upgrade the cartridge to an OM20, OM30 or OM40.

Yes, the OMP10 does take advantage of the ortofon stylus upgrade path. So it is possible to get different stylii and still utilize the same cartridge coils.

I've got a couple of external phono stages I could try as well.

The SL-DL1 turntable does have a tracking force adjustment. The instruction manual provides some basic adjustment guidelines but nothing precise. And I can't use a tracking force gauge to verify.

This turntable does make vinyl playback almost as easy as playing a CD.
Cueing is performed with the cover down using the buttons on the front panel. And the deck mutes the cartridge output so you don't hear the needle when it drops into the groove. This really does simplify my Vinyl to CD conversions but I've just become so accustomed to the sound of my other table/phono stage setup that I was a bit disappointed at the performance of this new toy.

Thanks for your advise. Ill do some more tweeking.

Keep them spinning!

BRANDONH
10-05-2007, 09:27 AM
A friend recently gave me a Technics SL-DL1. I remember these decks back in the early 80s.

When I received it, It had the OEM Audiotechnica cartridge but no stylus. After a few minor repairs, cleaning, and adjustments, the table is now fully functional--sans the stylus. I decided to replace the entire cartridge but found available selection very limited.

I opted to get an Ortofon OMP10 and have hooked it up to a McIntosh MAC 1700 receiver using the internal Phono stage. The resulting sound is acceptable.

This is a fun turntable but it does not have the musicality of my other decks. I've found this quite useful in converting my vinyl into MP3s. But nonetheless find it lifeless for dedicated listening.

I would like to try it with higher end phono stages which may require better cartridges. Are there low level moving coil cartridges for the P-mount platform that are not too expensive? (Remember, this table is worth less than $100 in the used marketplace)

I am open to suggestions?
they don't have any MC carts but have a lot of P-mounts to choose from.
Heck they even have the V15V-P :shocked:
http://www.lpgear.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=LG&Category_Code=T4P

http://www.vinylengine.com/images/library/model/technics_sl-dl1.jpg

And if your needing a manual for it GO TO:
http://www.vinylengine.com/library_model.php?make=Technics&selected_model=SL-DL1
click instruction manual (en)

hifitommy
10-13-2007, 11:06 AM
the plastic close and play linear TTs are for non audio people, i say give it away. this has nothing to do with the pmount. this tt would be good for a teenager who hasnt had a table yet and could get started with it.

i have a technics SLB100 pivoted pmount table that someone gave me. it needs cleaning up and i am supposing that the B means belt so a new belt would be needed.

you can have it if you want to come and get it, you know i live in sylmar so that wouldnt be a prob. or i could bring it to a meeting of the audio society (from which youve been absent).

the next one is distant-redondo beach, but i will be there.

i have an old sumiko blue point pmount, the soundstaging is excellent. i didnt like the cheeeeeep plastic mount they supplied so i bought the aluminum block mod which allows mounting rigidly to a standard shell. the plastic one supplied was made of brittle styrene and easily cracked when the screws were tightened.

squeegy200
10-19-2007, 11:54 AM
the plastic close and play linear TTs are for non audio people, i say give it away. this has nothing to do with the pmount. this tt would be good for a teenager who hasnt had a table yet and could get started with it.

i have a technics SLB100 pivoted pmount table that someone gave me. it needs cleaning up and i am supposing that the B means belt so a new belt would be needed.

you can have it if you want to come and get it, you know i live in sylmar so that wouldnt be a prob. or i could bring it to a meeting of the audio society (from which youve been absent).

the next one is distant-redondo beach, but i will be there.

i have an old sumiko blue point pmount, the soundstaging is excellent. i didnt like the cheeeeeep plastic mount they supplied so i bought the aluminum block mod which allows mounting rigidly to a standard shell. the plastic one supplied was made of brittle styrene and easily cracked when the screws were tightened.

I have to concede that you are right. I was just being optimistic to the possibilities of this deck since it was given to me. Along with the fresh cartridge, I installed new feet and did a general clean up. But it still cannot compete with my other turntable.

I've not been to an LA/OC audiophile club meeting in awhile.

hifitommy
10-19-2007, 04:27 PM
that you havent attended the meetings. if youre a member, youre entitled to go to the xmas dinner, have you gotten the mails?

http://mail.google.com/mail/?auth=DQAAAG4AAAASzyQ1TEfE59ZBQPO9sHPKkBfU9CT8715u mgXs8cUzN8GsycvLEw-3KI-t6DCv9iIN3VOIUPmTD6CeOwzvDX005QYAT8i59f8Gf1IWzvQXf NVEHXs3QTQiKl-CNro3W75syYwVr3hh8UN7j2tMm82k

you didnt mention the SLB100, i could bring it to you also, as i say, the 210 is easy to duarte.

i would not have expected the sldl1 to in ANY WAY to compete with your other tt. some youngster will get his start with it.

talk to you soon. maybe in redondo?

squeegy200
10-29-2007, 03:54 PM
thank you for the offer. I may take you up on the SLB100.

I'm now working in Chatsworth so Im no longer in Burbank. However, i still drive by your house practically every day.

My weekends have been spent at the obligatory weddings, baptismals, birthday parties etc. So I've not been able to attend and don't think Ill make the Xmas party.

Whenever I have found time, I've been able to restore a couple of pieces of tubed gear. I just sold the McIntosh Receiver mentioned earlier, on eBay.

Currently working on a mono Bogen tube preamp/amp which was designed for 78rpm. Now I've got to find a source that will play the old discs!

hifitommy
10-29-2007, 04:46 PM
most of the duals will do 78. check out the audio specialist on ventura blvd in studio city:

http://audiospecialist.com/

he usually has some duals for reasonable.

hey, what about the meeting at sunny's? not far from you:

http://www.laocaudiosociety.net/calendar.html

hope to see you sometime soon.

squeegy200
10-30-2007, 02:55 PM
Thanks for the tip. Ill drop by the AudioSpecialist. (My Apt/Holman needs a little care)

I will check out the Dual turntables if they have any. Ill try to make the Sunny's event.