Technics SL-D2 Turntable

From a vintage turntable point of view, I personally think Technics (primarily their direct drive models) are some of the best built vintage turntables available. They have excellent motors (even their slim line p-mount turntables are very good), well made, and extremely easy to service.

For the most parts, they do not require much, some oil as per the service manual and simple cleaning and adjustments of the controls.

Some negatives of these series of turntables are the hinges, well not really the hinges, they are robust. It is the plastic tabs on the dustcover that insert to the hinges. Those tend to break. There are remedies all over Audiokarma if you're looking for some.

Another sore stop is the mat. The Technics mats are generally great mats but, for some off reason I've noticed they become hard (frisbee hard) and start to leech out oil which makes cleaning an awful mess.

Thankfully, this Technics SL-D2 was in great condition. But, needed a few items. The mat had started to become hard so it was replaced with a very nice JVC QL-Y3F mat and a headshell with cartridge. The dustcover was in excellent shape and the plastic tabs were perfect as they can be for a 30+ year old table. It just needed a good cleaning to remove the built up grime.

Some basic specifications:
Platter: 312mm aluminium alloy
Speeds: 33 and 45rpm
Motor: B-FG servo controlled
Pitch control: 10%
Wow and flutter: 0.03% WRMS
Rumble: -75dB
Tonearm: static balance, tubular
Tracking force adjustment: 0 to 2.5g
Effective length: 230mm
Dimensions: 430 x 130 x 375mm
Weight: 6.9kg

The Technics SL-D2 is a 2-speed, direct drive, semi-automatic turntable. It has a pitch control, a cut/stop button and the ability to "stop" the platter by having the 33/45 switch in an neutral position. This was a very common turntable, retailing around $200USD back in the day.

I like these tables a lot. Considering the current market in Winnipeg, they are very hard to beat.

I would put this above the Akai AP-D2 and multiple others because of the overall quality and ease of servicing and maintenance of these turntables.

This Technics SL-D2 is equipped with a Spectrum branded Acutex 310IIE cartridge with a brand new aftermarket elliptical stylus. These Acutex cartridges are always nice sounding, not as dynamic as an Audio Technica but still very capable. Dynamic, a tad neutral, with good detail all around.

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