Technics SL-D3 Turntable

Well, it certainly has been awhile since I last posted a page on our blog. Stuff keeps moving in and out and life keeps getting busier. However, I do have some pictures to unload!

Technics direct drive turntables are one of the most reliable turntables made and some of the easiest to service. To some it's nothing spectacular but, for those wanting a quality turntable for not a lot of coin, these turntables are some of the best out there. They are plentiful, reliable and for majority of people out there, they do the job well. The SL-D3 is the fully automatic version of their "SL-DX" line up. The SL-D1 is a pure manual table and the SL-D2 is their semi-automatic (automatic return).

Does the increase of automation make the turntable more complex? Not really, just a few more extra things to adjust, test and poke around inside but, like anything their other siblings, a breeze to go through.

A quick run down of the some features, it's a 2 speed direct drive with 33/45rpm, with automatic lead in and return for 7", 10" and 12" records with repeat feature up to 6 times. Like majority of Technics turntables they are well made with a good motor, good tone arm and I have equipped this SL-D3 with a Shure M95 cartridge with an aftermarket Jico stylus. So, it does sound quite nice.

Now, what I don't like about "these" turntables and many would probably agree is the hinge-system. They tend to break if one is not careful but, I remember seeing a decent fix-solution on Audiokarma one were to break. So, all is not lost.

As for this guy, this one found it's new home as a Christmas gift)

Some quick specifications:
https://www.vinylengine.com/library/technics/sl-d3.shtml

Pictures!

Energy Encore 2 Speakers

My family were the original owners of these speakers. We actually had the entire Energy Encore 5.1 surround set, minus the integrated stands. Slowly, the rear speakers were sold. I kept the subwoofer to use with my sound bar, and the center channel broke. All that remained were these little guys sitting on the same shelving unit for the past 15ish years. I used them for a bit for my computer setup but, opted to use my Mirage Omni 350 instead. While these are considered "big box store" speakers, they are still great little speakers. These were made in Canada. Used their hyperdome aluminum tweeter that made Energy famous from the Pro22 days (thank you Burhoe!). A super nice black piano finish and sealed box, with a 4" long throw woofer. Some Specifications that I took from the web: System Type: Magnetically shielded acoustic suspension satellite Tweeter: 1" (28mm) Aluminum dome with cloth suspension Woofers: 4" (112mm) Multi-laminated aluminum polycarbonate c

Yamaha YP-66 Turntable

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Dual CS-616Q Turntable

Finally doing a write up for a couple of turntables. So, let's start with the Dual CS-616Q. Made around the mid 80s when wood-grain design were no longer in fashion and the new sleek grey and black were in. This Dual is in really nice shape, and I mean real nice shape. While it's not from the 70s, it doesn't mean it's not quality. In comparison to other companies of the time that still made entry level turntables, this Dual is really well made. It has decent heft and it is German made so a lot of precision was still put into it. It is a direct drive, a true semi-automatic and quartz lock turntable. Why do I mean true semi-automatic? Well, before some of their earlier turntables had an auto-lift off at the end but the tonearm never returned to the rest post. So, having it returning is a nice feature to have! It also features Dual's ULM (ultra low mass) tonearm and their EDS motor. These tonearms are especially nice for higher compliant cartridges as

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