Sl-230 New/Old Aquisition

[Classic-Sounds]

On the local CL I found this guy who was moving and had no use for this TT. Had never used it. As I was looking it over I first discovered it had no belt. Told him $20 and I'll take it. It has one of those AT budget cartridges with no name other than the yellow stylus front and a steel body. While looking under the platter I literally was pulling packing peanuts from under it to check for the belt or remnants of it. Now here's what got me. I found something to work for a belt and have it working. Took some DeOxit and cleaned things, very small amounts of lube where I could find to do so. I'll be getting some more white lithium grease to carefully go over things later.

Now there is no manual or service manual in the library. Is there another model close I can use as a basic guide? Also I'm just wondering why this TT with a cheap cartridge appears to play so much smoother and quieter than my Dual 731q with an AT12sa cartridge on it? And yes the cartridge has a new stylus so I know that's not it. I've been sort of looking around at different things to get me by as I'm so frustrated with the 731q I've about had enough. I just want a good TT that's gonna work without a lot of fuss and muss. Will the sl-230 do that well enough I can enjoy the music?

Next question is if the AT12sa a good match for the SL-230? I know it's a really good cartridge even though an older model but still works great when the 731q cooperates. And the SL-230 looks so much easier to work on but that's another story. If the AT12sa is not a good match what should I be looking for? Something more like the Shure M97 or possibly a Nagoaka I've been hearing so much about? I'm concerned the AT12sa is right on the border of the weight category and the SL-230 is a higher mass arm at a guess anyway.

And yes I've done some searching here and found it's generally a good TT for an entry level but I'm tired of all the fussing over the TT when I can be fussing over my music and testing cartridges. I know lots of questions here but any help would be appreciated BIG TIME!

Thanks!

[eddie edirol]

Now there is no manual or service manual in the library. Is there another model close I can use as a basic guide?

The sl-220 manual is in the library, I just downloaded it to see if it was the right one. The SL-235 is the changer version of the 220, and you will find alot of information on that. Also, you can easily get the technics belt on ebay for that turntable. if not now, then soon.

[Classic-Sounds]

Thanks! I appreciate that very much. I've got a belt on the way from lpgear simply because I'd heard it was risky getting one from the bay. I needed some other stuff anyway so I just got it while ordering. I'll download both of those manuals and get acquainted with it. I did find some problems with the headshell leads and the RCA interconnects so I'm looking in to that as well. I've heard these models have some really cheap RCA's on them but as I have an old Marantz TT-2200 I'm using for parts and it does have some very nice RCA's on it I'm going to use those instead. Someone who didn't know very much played with this TT who had no clue what they were doing and from what I'm finding dumped it on this guy. It looks like a pretty simple rescue though.

Is there really that much difference in headshell leads from say the Audioquest 25 buck jobs and the LKG 5 buck wires? The cost isn't that much difference and from a longevity and hopefully a tweak to the sound, would they be worth it?

[eddie edirol]

If the audioquest headshell is $25, I would imagine the wires are thicker than the $5 lead wires, more sound has to pass through them. Plus they look better. I would get it just so that I wouldnt have to think Im missing out on sound. I'd also get a technics headshell to complete the look.

Also, I'd go to radioshack and get the gold rca leads instead of reusing old leads. Those wires to decay after a while, better to just go brand new. Youre right, getting the belt of of ebay is a risk, so LPGear is the way to go.

[Alec124c41]

The 220 is manual, the 230 automatic, the 235 the changer.
For $25 you can get a new headshell with leads.
Thickness is not a priority in headshell wires. The more expensive ones will have better clips and more flexible wire.
The AT12sa should be fine on the 230.

Cheers,
Alec