Technics SL-1500C Review

And in case the own amp lacks the necessary phono branch: the SL-1500C also has that on board. In spite of this bulging equipment package, its price remains very close to the 1000 Euro threshold. Record listeners, what more could you possibly want?

And on top of that, there‘s everything in Technics‘ newest that we value. Next to the ultra-precise, quartz-controlled direct drive with short acceleration and deceleration times, it has the stable injection-moulded chassis, which is stiffened and calmed by means of a special plastic called ABS. Additionally this plastic is reinforced with glass fibre, so to speak as an „Anti-Blocking System for resonances“.

The precisely manufactured S-shaped tonearm sits in free-of-play bearings. The two-layer platter made of aluminum rests on a thick rubber mat, which protects it and thus the record from vibrations.

The list could be extended almost indefinitely, whereby the direct drive motor with single rotor is of course the heart of the turntable. Its stator does not need iron cores, which is intended to eliminate the dreaded cogging torque in propulsion, which can have negative consequences for timing because it leads to unrest in the sound image.

Thus, in combination with the engine control the torque of the engine should be applied with even thrust on the plate which weighs in at 2,2 kilograms including the rubber pad. Experience has shown that this system runs trouble-free and maintenance-free for many years, which is another advantage.

The SL-1500C is quickly assembled. It is child‘s play to place the platter underneath of which the magnetic disc of the drive is located. Also the MM pickup – the tried and tested 2M Red with elliptical diamond from the Danish specialist Ortofon, which costs 110 Euros by itself – is pre-assembled in the headshell and only needs to be attached to the arm with a union nut. Adjusting the tracking force is also a breeze.

Then you have to decide in which mode you want to operate the Technics. Either like a normal turntable at the phono-MM input of the amplifier or with the help of the internal phono amp as a „stand alone“ turntable, which is then connected like a CD player. For both alternatives there is a pair of Cinch-sockets in the recessed connector panel, while at the same time you have to set a small slide switch to the „On“ position.

A second slider activates an automatic device that lifts the pickup, for example at the end of Ravel‘s „Bolero“, out of the outlet groove after a few seconds, which is intended to prevent unnecessary wear in the event of unattended play – perhaps one might also be tied to the couch momentarily. However, following this procedure, the tone arm lift only reluctantly follows the next lowering, because the automatic lift wants to be reset with some gentle pressure.

Like its bigger brothers, the SL-1500C also has a practical height adjustment for the tone arm. But beware, it‘s tricky! While on Technics turntables they traditionally work by means of a large wheel wrapped around the base of the tone arm, the SL-1500C asks you to pull said wheel up after loosening the small locking lever. This is so unusual that even the otherwise exemplary instruction manual doesn‘t know what‘s going on and misrepresents it, so that you “go round in circles” both desperately and in vain.

Anyone who has freshly unpacked and set up the SL-1500C, which at best has small differences in quality to its bigger brothers in small details, will think: „Wow, that one‘s off the hook!“ after the first notes. In fact, Technics‘ smallest model offered a powerful dynamic and tight bass right from the start.

The impetuous impulsiveness, however, was accompanied by an emphatically tight, slim timbre that lacked warmth and commitment. But don‘t worry, they will come as the playing time progresses. If you use the internal phono preamplifier, you should also leave the Japanese switched on for one or two days when the drive is at rest, so that the equalizer/preamplifier stage remains energized, which is audibly good for its sound.