Technics SL-1500C Premium Class Series Direct Drive Turntable with Ortofon 2M Red Phono Cartridge

$1,299.99 OR

Color: Black - Out of Stock

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Model: SL-1500C-K UPC: 885170368125 Item: 3116


Winner - The Best Turntables of 2023

This product has been selected as one of The Best Turntables of 2023. Our Gear Guides are highly-curated selections which represent the best of the best in their category. From televisions and Bluetooth speakers, to marine audio and outdoor speakers—-start (or finish) your shopping journey with our Gear Guides.

Product Information

The Latest Coreless Direct Drive Motor Achieves High-precision Stable Rotation

The technologies acquired through the development of the SL-1200 Series and the high-end SL-1000R model were lavishly inserted into the motor drive unit, a key part of the turntable. The motor exclusively tunes the single-rotor, coreless direct-drive motor adopted by the SL-1200GR in order to read the high rotation accuracy and high-precision signals of the record. Optimal motor control is conducted for the inertial mass of the two-layer structure platter on which the vinyl record is placed with deadening rubber on the entire back surface to eliminate unwanted resonance in the aluminum die-cast platter to eliminate the rotation irregularity called cogging. The aluminum die-cast chassis is rigidly integrated with a special material consisting of ABS mixed with glass fiber to achieve a two-layer construction. The insulator is comprised of a spring and rubber to provide optimal vibration-damping characteristics. The tonearm is a static-balance universal S-shape tonearm, another Technics tradition. By adopting a high-precision bearing using the same gimbal suspension construction and machined housing as the SL-1200 Series, high initial sensitivity is achieved. In addition, reliability has been improved by incorporating a removable power cable and gold-plated terminals, which have less sound quality degradation, for the PHONO and LINE terminals.

Complete Turntable with a Built-in Phono Equalizer and Cartridge

Complete Turntable with a Built-in Phono Equalizer and Cartridge In order to enjoy playing analog records more comfortably, the SL-1500C features a built-in phono equalizer and bundled cartridge. There is no need to separately prepare either one, making it easy to link with a wide range of audio equipment. The shield structure of the built-in phono equalizer suppresses the effects of external noise and noise from the power supply. It is also equipped with a switch to turn the LINE output off when it is not being used. The turntable has been designed to thoroughly shut-out adverse effects to the PHONO output. The dedicated power supply for the PHONO output terminal is isolated from the power supply for the LINE output terminal and has been designed to prioritize sound quality by minimizing the wiring of the PHONO signal. The isolated terminals also prevent wiring mistakes. An Ortofon 2M RED cartridge, which is highly acclaimed as an MM cartridge, has been selected for the bundled cartridge. Combining this high-quality cartridge with the performance of the SL-1500C will maximize the sound quality of vinyl records.

Equipped with an Auto Lifter Function That Allows You to Enjoy Playing Records More Comfortably

When the tonearm reaches the end of the record, the Auto Lifter function automatically raises the cartridge. This prevents unnecessary wear on your valuable vinyl records and stylus. By embedding the Auto Lifter function in the base portion of the tonearm, it eliminates impacts to the tonearm. Due to a simple design that doesn’t use motor power, there is no electrical or vibrational impact and it will not prevent the movement of the tonearm. In response to requests from many users regarding the Auto Lifter function, a design that prioritizes sound quality was adopted. The functions required to playback records were kept to a bare minimum, achieving simple and easy-to-use operability.

Simple Design with Functional Beauty

The SL-1500C sports a simple design without unnecessary frills, while retaining the superb operating feel that is a Technics tradition. The attractive appearance lets you enjoy playing records to your heart’s content.

Specifications

Specifications

Turntable

  • Type: Direct Drive Manual Turntable
  • Turntable Speeds: 33-1/3, 45 and 78 r/min
  • Starting Torque: 0.18 N?m / 1.8 kg?cm (1.56 lbs-in)
  • Build-up Characteristics: 0.7 s. from standstill to 33 1/3 rpm
  • Wow And Flutter: 0.025 % W.R.M.S.
  • Turntable Platter
    • Aluminium diecast
    • Diameter: 332 mm (13-5/64 inch)
    • Weight: Approx. 2.0 kg (4.5 lbs) (Including Turntable Sheet)

 

Tonearm

  • Type: Universal Static Balance
  • Effective Length: 230 mm (9-1/16")
  • Overhang: 15 mm (19/32")
  • Tracking Error Angle
  • Within 2° 32' (at the outer groove of 30 cm (12") record)
  • Within 0° 32' (at the inner groove of 30 cm (12") record)
  • Offset Angle: 22°
  • Arm-height Adjustment Range: 0 - 6 mm
  • Stylus Pressure Adjustment Range: 0 - 4 g (Direct Reading)
  • Head Shell Weight: Approx. 7.6 g
  • Applicable Cartridge Weight Range
    • (without auxiliary weight) 5.6 - 12.0 g, 14.3 - 20.7 g (including head shell)
    • (with auxiliary weight)10.0 - 16.4 g, 18.7 - 25.1 g (including head shell)
  • Head Shell Terminal Lug: 1.2 mmφ 4-pin terminal lug

 

 

Terminals

  • Audio Outputs:
    • Phono (Pin Jack) x 1
    • Earth terminal x 1
    • Line (Pin Jack) x 1

 

General

  • Power Supply: AC 120 V, 60 Hz
  • Power Consumption: 8 W; Approx. 0.2W (Standby)
  • Dimensions (W x H x D): 17-27/32" × 6-21/32" × 14-21/32"
  • Weight: Approx. 21.2 lbs

What's in the Box

What's in the Box

  • SL-1500C Premium Class Series Direct Drive Turntable with Ortofon 2M Red Phono Cartridge
  • Turntable sheet
  • Dust cover
  • EP record adaptor
  • Balance weight
  • Auxiliary weight
  • Head shell
  • PHONO cable
  • PHONO earth lead
  • AC power supply cord
  • Owner's Manual

Reviews

We'd love to hear your thoughts! Please leave a review.

Customer Reviews for Technics SL-1500C Premium Class Series Direct Drive Turntable with Ortofon 2M Red Phono Cartridge

4.6 / 5.0
20 Reviews
5 Stars
4 Stars
3 Stars
2 Stars
1 Star
15
2
3
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0
Rated 5 out of 5
SL-1500C Premium Class Series Direct Drive Turntable (Black)
What a great turntable. I haven't had a Technics since the 80's. It's sounds great with my system. Love that the RCA's are not hardwired so I can use audiophile cables. Love everything about this turntable. Performance and esthetics are on point.
July 14, 2022
Rated 5 out of 5
SL-1500C Premium Class Series Direct Drive Turntable (Black)
I love this turntable. I'm very happy with it and it should meet my needs for years to come. I gave it four out of five stars on value only because it's a little more expensive than some other options out there. In my opinion it's still worth the cost.
March 21, 2022
Rated 5 out of 5
Best bang for your buck!
Worth every penny and then some.
March 4, 2022
Purchased
1 year ago
Rated 3 out of 5
Semi-suto feature sporadic, avg cartridge
I wanted a semi automatic turntable that would lift tonearm up at end of side. Most of the time this doesn’t work. When I played a Rush album it lifted the arm before last song finished. There appears to be no adjustments.

The Bundled Ortofon 2m Red cartridge was disappointing. It sounded “dull”. I bought a Ortofon 2m Black which made a huge difference in the sound. I would have rather had the option of buying the turntable w/o the Ortofon Red.

Otherwise the turntable seems solid.
November 22, 2021
Purchased
1 year ago
Rated 3 out of 5
SL-1500C Premium Class Series Direct Drive Turntable (Black)
My Shure V15 Type5-MR stylus finally failed in my Harman-Kardan T20. I really wanted to just replace the stylus - but no longer available. So I decided to upgrade my my Turntable as well. I wanted a semi-automatic and this turntable came up as highly recommended -- especially at the price point. Consensus seemed to lead me to believe I'd need to spend 2x the price to notice any real improvements.
The Turntable was fairly easy to setup. While the Ortofon came pre-installed, I did have to perform an alignment process.
The tonearm auto-lift at the end of the side is not reliable. It has lifted before the last song as finished or more time than not, it did not lift at all! Apparently, there is no adjustment -- it is either "on" or "off". So it lost a star because it was a feature I wanted. My HK T20 worked flawlessly. At the end of a side, the tonearm would lift and the platter would stop spinning.
Personally, I was disappointed in the Ortofon 2m Red cartridge. It sounded "dull". So I went out and bought Ortofon 2m Black -- impressive improvement in the sound. I understand it is a bundle, but would have preferred to have a choice. So it loses a 2nd star for bundling a mediocre cartridge with what is advertised as a really good turntable.
In my area, there are no real audiophile stores within 60 miles. So I had to rely on all the reviews I could find. Overall, its not a bad turntable and will likely be the last one I'll ever buy.
November 15, 2021
Rated 5 out of 5
SL-1500C Premium Class Series Direct Drive Turntable (Black)
Superb craftmanship!
Rated 3 out of 5
SL-1500C Premium Class Series Direct Drive Turntable (Black)
Complicated to set up and came with a bad stylus. My Cambridge Audio Alva TT took less than 2mins to setup after it was out of the box, and all worked out perfectly. No complicated setup and sounds great.
May 14, 2021
Rated 5 out of 5
Great TT & customer support
It was an upgrade for me from an entry level AT turntable. Sounded significantly better than my old TT out of the box as configured . I upgraded the cartridge and sent it through an external pre-amp and it's terrific sounding. No complaints.

Plus WW Stereo helped me with some hiccups with the set up (self-induced mind you), that I'd have resolved if I'd only read the directions.
February 26, 2021
Rated 5 out of 5
SL-1500C Premium Class Series Direct Drive Turntable (Black)
This is gonna serve me well for decades.
January 14, 2021
Rated 4 out of 5
Hi fidelity automatic jewel, for 1st time and seasoned vinyl listeners
This was purchased it thinking it would replace an older Technics I own, but after my in system comparison, it’s on par with existing Technics. It operated and sounded great! Auto run-out, was not great - a little buggy, leaves me at 4 Starr rating , though. Recommend it.
December 30, 2020
Purchased
over 2 years ago

Q&A

Customer Q & A

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Browse 18 questions Browse 18 questions and 27 answers
Why did you choose this?
World Wide Stereo Store
Features and online reviews
Stephen A on May 16, 2022
My Shure V15 type 5MR finally gave up the ghost in my equally old Herman Kardon T20. Researching replacement cartridges, I decided to modernize my turntable as well. The SL-1500 has gotten consistently good reviews.
Perry M on Oct 30, 2021
Features and online reviews
Stephen A on May 16, 2022
I already own a specials edition Technics 1200 and i wanted an automatic turntable with that same quality
Frank C on Mar 4, 2022
My Shure V15 type 5MR finally gave up the ghost in my equally old Herman Kardon T20. Researching replacement cartridges, I decided to modernize my turntable as well. The SL-1500 has gotten consistently good reviews.
Perry M on Oct 30, 2021
Great reviews. Family have been Technics turntable users for three generations
Larisa B on Jun 29, 2021
I liked the attributes and price. It comes highly acclaimed, and Technics is a quality manufacturer. One could pay much, more for just a bit more quality.
Paul G on Jun 10, 2021
Very Highly recommended
Vahan B on May 7, 2021
came highly recommended and seemed like a product that will deliver on its promises but I have yet to test it and find out for myself so we'll see about that
nicholas y on Jan 20, 2021
hi<br />you had it in stock, firstly...and lastly free shipping and your reputation as good business- thanks!
Paul K on Oct 17, 2020
reliability
T A on Jun 3, 2020
I already own a specials edition Technics 1200 and i wanted an automatic turntable with that same quality
Frank C on Mar 4, 2022
Great reviews. Family have been Technics turntable users for three generations
Larisa B on Jun 29, 2021
Does this turntable have a dust cover?
A shopper on Aug 29, 2020
  Thanks for your question. A dust cover is included with the turntable.
Do it have damp cuing ?
A shopper on Nov 20, 2021
  Thanks for your inquiry. In addition to the end of play auto lift, the cuing lever has a smooth damped lowering mechanism.
When the auto lifter raises the tonearm at the end of play will it power off as well?
A shopper on Mar 7, 2021
  Thanks for your inquiry. At end of record the arm lifts and turntable powers off.
My Onkyo receiver /. Tuner stopped producing sound. Where can I get it fixed ?
A shopper on Feb 1, 2023
  Thank you for your inquiry. Audio and video repair businesses may be found in most areas of the country by an internet search which includes your zip code.
https://www.service-center-locator.com/onkyo/onkyo-service-center.htm
Can you return it if the tone arm consistently lifts early?...For $1200 that is a deal breaker...
John F on Jun 26, 2022
Is the Auto Lifter Function adjustable? I know it can be disabled, but can it be adjusted for where it begins to lift?
A shopper on Mar 10, 2022
  Thanks for your inquiry. There is no user adjustment to change auto lift point.
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