Home Theater Systems Buying Guide
Technics SL-1500C Premium Class Series Direct Drive Turntable with Ortofon 2M Red Phono Cartridge

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

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

Customer Reviews for Technics SL-1500C Premium Class Series Direct Drive Turntable with Ortofon 2M Red Phono Cartridge
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Q&A
Customer Q & A
Have a functionality, compatibility, or otherwise product-specific question about this product? Ask it here! If you have a customer service or shipping question, please direct it to our customer service department


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