Technics SL-1500 C turntable

After the success of the SL 1200 GR turntable, Technics is back with a new direct drive vinyl turntable, more accessible and more intended for "audiophiles" than for DJs: the Technics SL-1500 C turntable.

TECHNICS SL-1500 C: CHARACTERISTICS

At first sight, the new Technics SL-1500 C is similar to the mythical SL 1200 (and not really to the SL 1500 of the 80’s).

But when you take a closer look, you can notice that it has been lightened by its "Pitch" of speed! Even if it is not really useful on living room playback...

The stroboscope and the led of the stylus have disappeared! Nothing serious, because these “gadgets” are fully designed for clubs.

However, we fin the typical “Start/Stop” square button. It is accompanied with two commuters of 33 and 45 rpm speeds. A pressure on both at the same time, switches to 78 rpm.

More surprising, the SL-1500 C is equipped with a semi-automatic function! Indeed, once the tonearm reaches the end of the vinyl record, the tonearm rises by itself.

TECHNICS SL-1500 C: CHASSIS

The upper chassis is fully made of die-cast aluminium. It also removes vibrations.

The lower baseboard integrates a material made of ABS plastic, mixed with glass fibre.

It is based on four bases equipped with springs and sorbothane, offering excellent damping characteristics.

TECHNICS SL-1500 C: PLATTER AND DRIVE

The drive is made via the direct drive motor, without core and with the unique rotor SL 1200 GR.

It offers a very regular and precise rotation. This motor has an optimal control over the platter inertia.

The double layer die-cast aluminium is damped with a rubber coating that removes unwanted resonances.

TECHNICS SL-1500 C: TONEARM AND PHONO CARTRIDGE

We find the legendary “S” tonearm, important for the Japanese manufacturer.

It has the same cardan shaft suspension and high precision bearings as SL-1200 models. It welcomes more or less every phono cartridges between 6 and 16g (excluding the headshell).

Technics guarantees that its reliability has also been improved by the integration of a removable phono cable. Indeed, it was part of the previous series of regular breakdowns.

As standard, the tonearm is equipped with an Ortofon 2M Red cartridge.

TECHNICS SL-1500 C: INTEGRATED PHONO PREAMPLIFIER

The Technics SL-1500 C integrates a MM phono preamplifier.

A commuter allows the deactivating of the integrated phono stage in order to use a more powerful phono preamplifier.

TECHNICS SL-1500 C: TEST AND LISTENING

The restitution is faithful to what is offered by a Technics direct drive turntable.

We find an excellent balance and a very beautiful readability. The Technics SL-1500 C demonstrates a nice dynamic and an excellent impact in the lower end of the spectrum.

It is intended more for a listening to so-called "modern" music, than to symphonies or string quartets, where its belt-driven competitors do better in terms of nuance and articulation.

The integrated phono preamp is not as “bad”... With the 2M Red cartridge, we have excellent results. In the future, we can upgrade it with an Ortofon 2M Blue stylus.

This new Technics SL-1500 C turntable is clearly designed to music lovers nostalgic for the mythical SL 1200. It is very well designed and totally meets the nostalgia of the eighties!

An excellent direct drive turntable, offered at a very competitive price!

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