Semi-auto turntable recommendations?

[Squishman]

My Technics direct drive tt is around 40 years old and it is beyond time to replace it. Does anyone have a recommendation for a replacement? I'd like it to be under $500, have DD, strobe and semi-auto. There is an Audio Technica model for $299, but it's not semi-auto. I might have to get that one, unless someone can help!

 

[lovinthehd]

I would consider just having your current unit refurbished...is there something broken/not repairable?

 

[Squishman]

I could do that! It works, but the pitch knobs are a little stiff to move and it is a little hard to nail down the correct speed. I wonder if that is bearings, or just bad controls. I'd also like the RCA wires replaced. I'll look into it. Thx for the tip.

 

[lovinthehd]

I had my Technics tt gone thru by a Panasonic service center a long time ago, imagine they still can do that sort of thing, or tell you if it can't be resurrected; that particular service center closed I know so using the Panasonic site for my own model (SL1200mk2) it came up with:
PANASONIC FACTORY SERVICE CENTER
4900 GEORGE MCVAY DR, MCALLEN, TX 785038868

 

[Squishman]

Lovthhd, since your suggestion, I thought maybe I could keep this unit. I cleaned it up using q-tips, took the platter off and cleaned underneath, etc. Took the headshell off and sprayed canned air on the contacts and hit the contacts on the hs and tonearm with a pencil eraser. It previously had a little sctratchiness, perhaps or more than likely from dirty contacts. Then I sprayed canned air with the can upside down into the pitch controls. whilst turning them back and forth. Then sprayed it can upright for good measure. Strobe is spot on now and it sounds good! The only thing I'd need servicing is new RCA outs and I could do that myself someday. Long story short, thanks for suggesting this unit could be serviced.

 

[lovinthehd]

Lovthhd, since your suggestion, I thought maybe I could keep this unit. I cleaned it up using q-tips, took the platter off and cleaned underneath, etc. Took the headshell off and sprayed canned air on the contacts and hit the contacts on the hs and tonearm with a pencil eraser. It previously had a little sctratchiness, perhaps or more than likely from dirty contacts. Then I sprayed canned air with the can upside down into the pitch controls. whilst turning them back and forth. Then sprayed it can upright for good measure. Strobe is spot on now and it sounds good! The only thing I'd need servicing is new RCA outs and I could do that myself someday. Long story short, thanks for suggesting this unit could be serviced.

They're very well built and deserve to be kept working. I had to do my own servicing a while back when I last changed cartridges and went to adjust the tonearm height and found the grease had frozen the adjusting mechanism. Glad you were able to do it yourself!

 

[Mikado463]

as lovin said, job well done ! there is a reason why DJ's coveted their Technics tables, they're built like tanks !