My Free Craigslist Find: Technics SL-D2

trackball02 · « **on:** 29 Dec 2012, 09:37 pm »

Found a listing this week for a Technics SL-D2. The owner mounted a new Shure M44-7 on a Technics SL-D2 and decided to sell for the cost of the cartridge. I got the turntable for free! Overall, some scratches on the plinth and dust cover, but the platter spins smoothly with a rock steady speed and the stop button and auto stop work just fine. Missing two of the feet, very dusty outside, and the RCA cord was falling apart. Needed some TLC.

I cleaned it up, polished the dust cover, oiled the bearing, replaced the RCA cable with an inexpensive Belkin RCA cable, put 5.5 pounds of plastic clay in side, and substituted the feet with rubber racket balls cut in half.

This is my first foray with a direct drive turntable. Sounds terrific, very quiet, and a clean lively sound. Not sure I would change anything at this time. Just having a lot of fun.

MaxCast · « **Reply #1 on:** 29 Dec 2012, 10:35 pm »

very nice score for the price. I bought both my tables from CL.

J Fallows · « **Reply #2 on:** 29 Dec 2012, 11:14 pm »

That's a great table. Wish mine looked that nice. Congratulations.

WireNut · « **Reply #3 on:** 29 Dec 2012, 11:44 pm »

Hi Trackballo2.

Hmm, Do I have a possible jewel in my closet?

After seeing your post I pulled this TT out of my closet. It’s a Technics SL-D20. I also have two cartridge’s, a Grado PGF3E+
and a Ortofon 10H. I haven’t used a TT in at least a decade. I don’t currently own a phono stage. I have lots of albums that
I would love to hear again. Is this TT worth my purchasing a phono stage to get it back up and running again?

Steve.

J Fallows · « **Reply #4 on:** 30 Dec 2012, 12:08 am »

Yes, and this might be ok.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Opera-Consonance-PM-6-Phono-Pre-Amplifier-/170964906089?pt=US_Home_Audio_Amplifiers_Preamps&hash=item27ce4d7069.

Not affiliated.

trackball02 · « **Reply #5 on:** 30 Dec 2012, 12:19 am »

WireNut, I would definitely get your SL-D20 spinning records again. Especially since you have albums. I assume that there is nothing major with your TT. It looks like it is in good shape. Finding a reasonably priced pre-amp should not be hard.

One question that I have is how long does a cartridge last? One audiophile friend told me that the internal motor degrades after five to ten years or so. Just replacing the stylus may not help. Is that true?

WireNut · « **Reply #6 on:** 30 Dec 2012, 12:27 am »

Quote from: trackball02 on 30 Dec 2012, 12:19 am

WireNut, I would definitely get your SL-D20 spinning records again. Especially since you have albums. I assume that there is nothing major with your TT. It looks like it is in good shape. Finding a reasonably priced pre-amp should not be hard.

One question that I have is how long does a cartridge last? One audiophile friend told me that the internal motor degrades after five to ten years or so. Just replacing the stylus may not help. Is that true?

I don't know. I haven't had mine hooked up in ten years. The cartridge and TT look to be a good shape.
I have never bought anything off of e-bay. I'm wondering way the box is marked 123 volts instead of 110?
I could swing that price.

richidoo · « **Reply #7 on:** 30 Dec 2012, 01:30 am »

Nice find! I once got a free SL-Q2 from my neighbor. There are a lot of them around and they make good music.

JackD · « **Reply #8 on:** 30 Dec 2012, 01:36 am »

A cartridge either works or it doesn't, it doesn't degrade especially in five to ten years. If need be you can buy a new stylus from the corresponding Prestige line. As for a phono preamp the best deal for a decent phone stage to get you up and running is the ART DJPRE II from Amazon for less than $40.

http://www.amazon.com/ART-II-Preamplifier-Outputs-Switchable/dp/B000AJR482/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1356831300&sr=8-1&keywords=art+phono+preamp

WireNut · « **Reply #9 on:** 30 Dec 2012, 02:55 am »

After 10 years I have lost the power cord and ground cable.
I may have to blow up the house and look thru the rubble to find them.

WireNut · « **Reply #10 on:** 30 Dec 2012, 05:28 am »

Great find Trackball02,

I appreciate any help i can get after all these years to hear some of my old vinyl again.
It's been a long time coming. Any advise on a phono pre for $300.00 or below is greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Steve

WireNut · « **Reply #11 on:** 30 Dec 2012, 07:51 am »

Trackball02,

I think I'm jealous of your tone arm. It is sexier then mine.

wisnon · « **Reply #12 on:** 30 Dec 2012, 10:22 am »

Quote from: WireNut on 30 Dec 2012, 05:28 am

Great find Trackball02,

I appreciate any help i can get after all these years to hear some of my old vinyl again.
It's been a long time coming. Any advise on a phono pre for $300.00 or below is greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Steve

For $399, you can get the well reviewd iFi Audio iPhono!
http://www.analogplanet.com/content/whats-8500-cartridge-doing-place-399-ifi-iphono-phono-preamplifier

WireNut · « **Reply #13 on:** 30 Dec 2012, 10:59 am »

I would really like to find a used phono pre that I can hook up to my living room system.
No computer interface is needed. Just RCA in/out.
Ideas for a used $300.00 or less phono pre?

Thanks,
Steve

Guy 13 · « **Reply #14 on:** 30 Dec 2012, 11:08 am »

Quote from: WireNut on 30 Dec 2012, 10:59 am

I would really like to find a used phono pre that I can hook up to my living room system.
No computer interface is needed. Just RCA in/out.
Ideas for a used $300.00 or less phono pre?

Thanks,
Steve

Hi WireNut (Steve) and all Audio Circle members.
You can buy a new Bellari VP-130 phono tube pre-amp for 250 USD
or the Bellari solid state version for 76 USD and
at Needle Doctor they have tons of phono pre-amps listed at below 300 USD.
I have the older version of the Bellari phono pre-amp,
the model VP-129 and am happy with it.
My cartridge is a Rega Exact with 5-7mv output.
Hope this help.
Guy 13

WireNut · « **Reply #15 on:** 18 Jan 2013, 01:05 am »

Hi Trackball02,

I just picked up this Technics SL-D3 TT with a Shure M95HE cart on Craigslist for $50.00.

Also picked up this Kenwood KR-6400 receiver for $50.00 on Craigslist.

trackball02 · « **Reply #16 on:** 18 Jan 2013, 02:43 am »

Nice Wirenut! Looks like the same tonearm. Now you have a sexy S shaped arm that you dreamed about. Craigslist to the rescue for only $50.
Does the receiver have a phono input?

WireNut · « **Reply #17 on:** 18 Jan 2013, 02:57 am »

Quote from: trackball02 on 18 Jan 2013, 02:43 am

Nice Wirenut! Looks like the same tonearm. Now you have a sexy S shaped arm that you dreamed about. Craigslist to the rescue for only $50.
Does the receiver have a phono input?

Yes it does. That's how I'm using the TT right now. Once I get a phono pre I'll be able to hook the TT up to my main system
and use the receiver for computer audio.

trackball02 · « **Reply #18 on:** 19 Jan 2013, 11:48 pm »

wirenut, how do you like your $50 turntable so far?

WireNut · « **Reply #19 on:** 20 Jan 2013, 12:53 am »

Quote from: trackball02 on 19 Jan 2013, 11:48 pm

wirenut, how do you like your $50 turntable so far?

It is frigging awesome. The best $50.00 I have spent in the last 30 years for the quest of Hi-FI- Nirvana.

I am extremely happy. I can't thank you enough.

Steve