Customer Ratings & Reviews

This the best turntable I had in years, I put sumiko moonstone cartridge on it , sounds so good! technics is back!

Fantastic turntable. Available at a competitive price. Available in time for the holidays

The Technics SL-1500C semi-automatic direct drive turntable is a proof of Technics' long-standing rep in the world of high-fidelity audio. It takes inspiration from its legendary predecessors, blending vintage vibes with cutting-edge tech. Build and Design The SL-1500C has a solid build, with an aluminum die-cast platter and chassis that keep vibrations in check. And let's not forget the sleek design and brushed metal finish, giving it that touch of luxury you usually find in higher-end models. Performance At the heart of this turntable is a coreless direct drive motor, eliminating any cogging and ensuring exceptionally smooth rotation. The result? Impeccably accurate and stable playback, free from any undesirable distortions. And guess what? The integrated phono preamp is a delightful addition that appeals to both seasoned audiophiles and newcomers. Features The semi-automatic feature makes sure the tonearm goes back to its resting position when the record ends, which reduces wear on the stylus and gives you added convenience. Plus, the pre-mounted Ortofon 2M Red cartridge is a great choice for detailed and dynamic sound. Pros and Cons Summary: Pros: Sturdy build quality with minimal vibrations. Coreless direct drive motor ensures smooth and distortion-free playback. Integrated phono preamp caters to a wide range of users. Semi-automatic feature adds convenience and prolongs stylus life. Comes with a high-quality Ortofon 2M Red cartridge. Cons: Pricier than some competitors in its range. Lacks some advanced features found in top-tier models. To wrap it up, the Technics SL-1500C is an awesome turntable that combines the best of both worlds: vintage charm and modern advancements. Yeah, it may cost a bit more, but its performance and build quality totally make it worth the investment if you're after a reliable and high-quality listening experience. More than worth the investment.

Started off great. Within 60 days the auto lift malfunctioned. Went back to Best Buy, what do I get, nothing. Past return window, so they make it impossible to get any help or return. Appears that Best Buy customer service is actually the department of protecting Best Buy. Won’t be doing this again.

This turntable was not my original choice. However, it has worked out extremely well.Its there basic model not a lot of bells and whistles However, it is a technics turntable!!!

This is an excellent turntable for under $2,000. Would recommend a higher end cartridge.

Bought this turntable over a year ago, has not let me down once.

This turntable is a great fit for our wireless distributed audio solution in our home. Love the ability to move it from room to room.

It is a great product that I'm enjoying every day.

Great turntable! Perfect setup for my audiophile sound system

First turntable and it works like a charm!! Now I’m able to play my dads collection and my own!

Hope it will last a lifetime. I wish for a better or no cartridge option.

Hello friends, I am reviewing the new Technics SL-1500C turntable today and I'm very excited about this one! This is for the SL-1500C new for 23', and I will be comparing it to my vintage 1978 Technics SL-1700. When I noticed that Technics was coming out with a new high-level turntable I knew I wanted to try it out. I hoped that the sound would be somewhat close to the original vintage tables, and Technics SL-1500C did not disappoint. First off, the build quality of this turntable is solid. When I picked up this turntable for the first time I was shocked by the weight of it. This table is heavy, about 42 lbs. That is exactly what you want in a quality turntable. It is close in build quality to my vintage deck, but as you might guess it's not quite that good. There are a few places where Technics cut corners, but overall I think it's a great table for the price. Now for the big question, What does it sound like? The Technics SL-1500C sounds classic and true to its original sound. When I first started playing something through this table, I thought I forgot to change my cables over to the new deck. Because these two tables sound so close to each other. This is a good thing, the classic sound is what people want to recapture. Also, it sounds true to the recording, once again a good thing. Today a lot of turntable makers are just trying to put out a product for an affordable price so they can sell a ton of them. However, folks who know better don't want a budget table that sounds thin or just okay. Most would prefer a delightful experience of marvelous sound coming from a well-made turntable. As for my sound comparison between the vintage 78 and the 23 SL-1500C. My vintage unit is fully refurbished with new cables etc.. However, it does have a cartridge on it with hundreds of hours of use. (Side note this table comes with an ortophon red cartridge that is good!) After several hours of listening to both tables, I think the new Technics SL-1500C table sounds a little bit better. GASP!! Honestly, I didn't think I would be saying that today. But what my ears heard didn't lie to me. The new Technics SL-1500C table sounded a bit better in the stereo separation department. I heard a bit more depth to the record. Overall just a clean, deep listening experience. I did think that I could hear just a bit better the quieter passages on my old table. I'm guessing that's the nuances of the two different cartridges. The big difference came into play when I used the phono preamp that is built into the turntable. This is where I could hear a lot more imperfections. The surface noise of the record was a lot more prominent. And I lost a little detail overall. This is not a bad phono preamp by any means. Most folks probably couldn't tell the difference without a side-by-side comparison. My phono stage just happens to be a lot better than what's installed in this unit, that's why I noticed it so much. Like I say you probably won't be bothered by it, but if so just pick up a better phono stage and run it. That's the last thing to mention here. This turntable can be run as a line out (e.g. a cassette deck or CD player) or you can run it straight out in phono mode. Phono mode sounds the best to me, however, you might like it line out especially if you don't have a phono preamp. Yes, I would recommend this to a friend! The Technics SL-1500C is well built, high-quality turntable that most importantly sounds wonderful! In this price range, you would be hard-pressed to find a better-sounding table.

My only complaint is the “auto lift” on the tone arm lifts too early on some records. I was able to Google and find out how to set it to the other setting to prevent this but was tricky to do. Great turntable that’s quality built from Technics.

Shipping, documentation, and product all outstanding. Totally satisfactory.

The dampening materials Rubber/Plastic inside the platter does not provide a constant thighs seal “glued” therefore it rubs against the inside edges of the unit creating friction The rubber seal isn’t seated properly and has bubbles of air inside which may create problems with the motor in the long run Could be a single case but it’s a return for me

This Technics SL-1500C turntable seamlessly blends modern convenience with timeless audio quality, creating an unparalleled vinyl experience. The SL-1500C boasts a sleek and elegant design that immediately catches the eye. Its sturdy construction exudes quality, with a heavy base that effectively minimizes vibrations and resonances. The semi-automatic operation is a fantastic addition, allowing for effortless playback without compromising on sound quality. The tonearm feels solid and precise, and the overall build inspires confidence in its durability. When it comes to sound, the Technics SL-1500C truly shines. The direct drive motor ensures consistent and accurate playback speed, eliminating the need for belt adjustments. The built-in phono preamp is a game-changer, providing a clean and transparent signal path that enhances the overall listening experience. Whether I was playing vintage classics or modern pressings, the turntable delivered rich, warm, and dynamic sound that reminded me why vinyl is cherished by audiophiles. Setting up the SL-1500C was a breeze, thanks to the well-documented user manual and intuitive design. The inclusion of the built-in phono preamp means you can easily connect the turntable to powered speakers or receivers without the need for additional equipment. While audiophiles might prefer an external phono stage for ultimate customization, the built-in preamp offers impressive performance and convenience for casual listeners and newcomers to the vinyl world. The combination of outstanding sound quality, user-friendly features, and the reputable Technics brand make it a worthwhile investment for anyone serious about their vinyl collection. In a world where digital music dominates, the Technics SL-1500C stands as a testament to the enduring allure of vinyl records. Its semi-automatic operation, impeccable sound quality, and built-in phono preamp make it a top-tier choice for both seasoned audiophiles and newcomers exploring the world of analog sound.

Great turntable, not impressed with the built-in phono.

I’ve got to say I was really excited when this turntable showed up at the door. I have used a Dual 1229 with various Shure M series styli since the 70s and have always been very attached to my Dual, being my first turntable. That being said, with the unboxing and setup of this Technics SL-1500C turntable, I am really, really impressed. The sheer weight of this monster is impressive. And the wide rubber feet, compared to the 1229s small square wooden feet…well you just know that there is going to be a lot less transmission of vibration to the cartridge. And the listening tests bear this out. Perhaps it is unfair to compare the two, since one is over 50 years older than the other, but it is the turntable that I am most familiar with (I also own an older Technics turntable.) Unboxing and setup: I picked a large work area to unpack the turntable (my kitchen table) and pulled from the box the platter and the Owner’s Manual. I noticed that the underside of the platter had some form of sound/vibration dampening material attached—another great touch. Setting the rest of the contents on the table was pretty straightforward (cords, cables, weights, dust cover, plinth, and pre-mounted cartridge), as was the assembly. I took the magnet cover off the platter, gently dropped the platter on the spindle, placed the mat on the turntable and attached the cartridge to the tonearm. I then gave the platter a spin and saw how smooth the turntable rotated. It was very smooth. Then I carefully balanced the tonearm/cartridge combination and set the tracking force to the recommended 1.8 grams and the anti-skating to the corresponding figure. This was easily accomplished since the cartridge was preinstalled and factory adjusted, though I have done this calibration numerous times with my Dual 1229. Still, I printed out an alignment protractor for this turntable and verified the overhang. When I attached the counterweight to the tonearm, I only used the larger, standard weight and not the additional auxiliary weight, believing that the additional weight was unnecessary and might add mass to the tonearm and make it less responsive. Finally, I adjusted the tonearm height by following the included instructions, and the recommended height proved accurate. My Dual also has a VTA adjustment, but it was either for single record height or set at an average of three records high which is the midpoint of a six-record stack. I should say that I only used the multiple play spindle and multiple play settings at the beginning of my ownership of the Dual 1229, before the novelty of multiple play wore off. Last, I adjusted the armlift height, as I thought the factory settings were just a bit high. Listening: Again, I was very excited to try out the new turntable and decided to first test it on my Technics system in my basement before using it with my usual system. Unfortunately, I was very disappointed at first. I picked an older recording of “Symphonie Fantastique” by Berlioz, prepared to be blown away. Instead, I was let down by the sound coming from my Technics speakers. I compared the 1500C with the older Technics turntable, and the Dual, and the Dual in particular was more mellow and produced the most listenable sound. Then I tried a recent recording of Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony and the difference was astonishing. This time the 1500C was tremendously better than the Dual and older Technics turntables, now exhibiting the excellent sonic quality I expected. I then tried an album of the Moody Blues, “A Question of Balance”, and discovered the reason for my initial disappointment…It was the quality of the recording and mastering of the recording that the 1500C could clearly bring to light. I then moved upstairs to my regular set up and tested the Dual against the 1500C and also tested with cd variations. “A Question of Balance” was definitely mastered poorly from the start, and neither turntable could rectify this, though the Dual covered up some of the imperfections. The cd was obviously remastered and sounded vastly better. It was just more obvious with the Technics SL-1500C that the recording was subpar, especially when compared with the cd playback that had a substantially wider sound field, and clearer, brighter musicality. Then I tested an album I knew frontwards and backwards, “Another Green World” by Brian Eno. Again, I have a cd to compare with as well. The Dual/Shure M97 ED was again warmer in sound quality, but this time that was not as great sounding as the Technics/Ortofon combination. The sound from the SL-1500C was cleaner and more precise without the coloring of a warmer tone. I know many believe that a cd is more sterile, and lacking in warmth, but that personality is an addition to the original recording, and takes away from the performance. Definitely, the Technics turntable produced a more accurate sound. I did not try the preamplifier that came with the turntable as both amplifiers, a Realistic tuner for my first test, and a Sony ES tuner for my later, more comprehensive tests, had preamplifiers of their own. After trying several more modern recordings of classical, Rock and Roll, Blues, and electronic music on my upstairs setup through my KEF speakers, and sometimes using headphones, I came to some conclusions about the sound quality: • The Technics/Ortofon combination is much clearer, precise and has a wide, flat frequency range that does not color the recording. • This means that any defect in a recording or in the mastering of the recording does become more evident. • The heavy plinth and platter with wide rubber feet really help to deaden any resonance, especially in comparison to my Dual 1229, which has a very heavy platter, but little isolation (spring isolated chassis) from the occasional knock on the cabinet it was installed on. You can still hear it when you tap the plinth on the 1500C, but the sound reproduction remains outstanding. • The overall pleasure of listening to most of my collection that I tested, was far superior with the Technics SL-1500C. So overall, the Technics SL-1500C Turntable with the Ortofon 2M Red cartridge is a winner. At some point I might decide to upgrade the stylus, but this is already a substantial upgrade to my system. I highly recommend this turntable, and though it is a bit pricey—I was at first looking at the Fluance RT85 with the Ortofon 2M Blue cartridge--you really can’t go wrong with this choice. The Technics build quality, the direct drive motor, and the tremendously pleasurable experience of listening to this turntable do its job so effortlessly, make this a must have. Pros: • Beautiful and impressive clean look to it in the white color. • Easy set-up. The cartridge is pre-mounted. • Direct drive motor for accurate playback speed. • Heavy unit and wide stabilizing feet for little resonance to color the sound. • Ortofon 2M Red cartridge with excellent sound reproduction and is upgradeable. • VTA set up infinitely variable within the range provided. • Damped cueing. • Sound is very clean and precise, without easily discernable coloring of the tone. • Auto lift-up function at end of record to lessen stylus wear. • An included, easy to install and remove dustcover. Cons: • Doesn’t come with a gauge for setting the correct overhang and depth of the stylus. • No strobe to verify speed or way to change the pitch. • No auto return of the turntable arm at end of record with auto stop. Not fully automatic. Again, this is an audiophile level turntable and is definitely worth considering in the plus $1k price range. You really can’t go wrong with this turntable.

I returned it. The platter had a wobble to it and the sound was far from rich. I was not impressed with the sound at all.