Review Technics SL-1500C – playing vinyl seriously easy

Getting the Technics SL-1500C up and running

Unpacking and installing the turntable is not complicated. The provided instruction manual is clear and it helps if you watch this video, it will give you a clear idea of the steps to take.

Using the built-in turntable pre-amplifier

We use the built-in preamp in the Technics SL-1500C. You buy this table for this capability in the first place: install and play, no frills. Any phono MM input on your amplifier can be used as well, which we will come back to later in this review.

The installation process

My review copy was apparently used with a different cartridge than the supplied Ortofon 2M Red, because the settings were not as supposed to be. I did adjust the turntable, which is the same proces as setting it up. It is an easy job if you follow the manual step by step:

• Start by attaching the power cable and signal cables. These are located deep under the turntable and are difficult to reach.
• The signal cable goes into the LINE indicated sockets on the turntable and at the amplifier side into a regular analogue RCA socket. Not into the record player input, should your amplifier have one!
• Place the turntable at its final location and connect the signal cable, but do not connect the power cable yet.
• Make sure the turntable is completely level. You can turn the Technics’ feet to get it levelled.
• Ortofon’s website lists the recommended weight for the 2M Red cartridge: 1.8 grams.
• Connect the included headshell, which is the perforated piece of metal with the element screwed onto it, onto the tone arm.
• With the review record player the weight was already on the tone arm, but I rebalanced the arm. Fresh out of the box, you need to screw it onto the tone arm. The extra weight provided is not needed and can stay in the box. Balancing is very simple: take the arm off the armrest, and turn the weight until the arm floats horizontally by itself.
• Set the black disc with the scale attached to the weight at 0 above the measure line grooved on the top of the tone arm, without turning the weight itself.
• Now turn the weight, the black disc rotating with it, to the measure line that reads 1.8 grams.
• Set the anti-skating dial on the side of the tone arm to 1.8.
• Check on the scale, which is on the front left side of the large circular plate on which the tone arm sits, that it is set to 4 mm height. That is the height recommended for the Ortofon 2M Red. The manual shows you the location of the measure scale with clear drawings. I had to raise the arm, it was set at 2 mm by a previous user. You elevate or lower the tonearm by first unlocking the arm with the crank, lifting it or lowering it to the correct height and lock it again. If you read about turntables, you will come across the term ‘VTA’. That is the abbreviation for ‘Vertical Tracking Adjustment’ and this mean that you are able to adjust the height of the tone arm.
• Carefully remove the protective cap from the cartridge and you are ready to play, after plugging in the power cable.

Take your time if this is your first installation of a record player and it cannot go wrong. Everything you set can be easily corrected afterwards, that is the nice thing about turntables.