If you remember listening to your favourite tracks on the radio in the late seventies, then the chances are they were being played on a Technics turntable.
The Technics SL-1600 Mk2 is a studio grade turntable and one of the most popular and sought after direct drive turntables amongst vintage-audio enthusiasts and is sometimes described as a fully-automatic version of Technics manual SL-1200 which to this day is the choice of many DJ’s.
Introduced sometime in late 1978 the Mk2 was released hot on the heals of the original SL-1600 and saw a number of improvements that today make it a much more attractive artefact for collectors then the original.
First and foremost the standout feature of this table is its quartz-phase-locked speed accuracy with pitch control of +-6%. The DC servo also features high-torque for fast starts and a platter braking mechanism also ensure there will be fast stops! Technics boasted the torque of the DC servo was so high that it could handle 100 tonearms each with a 2g cartridge! The fully automatic system is enhanced by an infrared sensing system built into the platter that automatically detects the record size loaded and also assists with the auto-repeat function.
The stability of this turntable is excellent. Firstly it is fitted with an aluminium plinth and secondly it has a double isolated suspension system, the outer diecast aluminium chassis is fitted with tuned set of isolators while the inner base that supports the platter, motor and tone arm, is made of TNRC anti-resonant material specially developed by Technics which is supported by another set of isolators and a double insulated platter with a rubber mat on the bottom as well as the top. This means you are very unlikely to experience feed back on this table.
The tonearm has been engineered to a high-degree of accuracy and has a wide operating tolerance including a height adjustment of 6mm allowing you to experiment with huge selection of cartridges.
Other features I love about this artefact is that all the controls are housed outside of the dustcover for easy access. It also comes with a strobe light and a stylus illuminator for use in low-light conditions.
My unit is fitted with the original Technics 270C Moving Magnet Cartridge that has a wide range of styli available for it including conical, elliptical, shibata and SAS.
Technics 270C Cartridge:
Type: Moving Magnet
Output Voltage: 3.2mV
Frequency Response:
20Hz – 25Hz
Tracking Force: 1.5 – 2.0c
Mass: 6g
Channel Separation: 25dB
Channel Balance: 2dB
Load Impedance: 47k-100k ohms
Stylus Tip: Elicptical
Dynamic Compliance: 10 x 10-6cm/Dyne
Posted In: Turntables
Dj green
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I want to order the abovecartridge technics 270 c with appropriate sulus
Can you recommend a uk supplier
Ronald Hofmeister
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Dear Sir,
I’m getting a Technics SL-1600MK2 Turntable & what do I need to play 4-Channel Records? I ordered a 4-Channel Cartridge from Japan & my Technics Reciever Model Number is
(SA-8500X) 4-Channel with built in Decoder. So could you let me know if I have to change anything on my Turntable? It was built in 1978.
Ronald
admin Author
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Hi, it sounds like you have the right parts, see if you can find a 4-channel test records to check channel separation and alignment with.
John L Levis
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I sure would really love.[ For my vinyl records collection ] To get & buy a vintage. Techincs Quartz Direct Driver Automatic SL-1400MK2 Or SL-1500 MK2 Or SL-1600MK2 Or SL-1700MK2 Or SL-1800MK2. But they are so hard to find. I have been searching for months now. With no luck so far. If any one can help me out. Then do contact me back. John L Levis 02/19
Harry McDonald
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It’s “sought after”. Not ‘sort’.