I have purchased my first turntable, now what?

[s1mp13m4n]

Hello everyone. I made a thread on here about is a turntable right for me, after all I grew up in the 80s and in the age of cassettes and cps. Based on what folks told me, I bought a Technics SL-5 linear direct drive turntable. I have it coming via USPS. Now what do I do? What are my first steps? Do clean the dust off of it and fire it up and see how it works, or do a more detailed cleaning on it, or just replace the cartridge and stylus so it is fresh right out of the box? I talked to my dad and I think he is going to dig up all that old vinyl that he has and what my mom had before they separated in 1984. If dad will trust me with his stuff, we are talking about original recordings from as far back as 1951 and no newer than 1980 or so. I would like your advice on what to do with the unit once it gets here. Thanks for the help. Also what tools do I need now such as cleaners, brushes, etc?

[jc_the_trucker]

Hello!

Congratulations on your purchase, Technics tables are rock solid and it should serve you well assuming it has been well taken care of. You can find all the manuals for you 'table here: http://www.vinylengine.com/library/technics/sl-5.shtml

The first thing you will want to do is replace the stylus on the cartridge because you have no idea what condition it is in and don't want to damage your records with a worn out stylus. As for the cartridge itself, it won't hurt your records to just try it out so long as the stylus is fresh. However, if you want to replace it, you are somewhat limited on options as your table uses the "p-mount" style cartridges. There are good p-mount cartridges out there, so don't worry about quality, its just that there aren't as many options. Next you'll want to make sure the turntable is level. This isn't as big a deal with linears as with standard turntables, but its a good idea anyway.

Once that's done, plug the RCA cables (red is right, the other one is left) in to the "phono" input on your reciever/amplifier. If you don't have a phono input, you'll need what is known as a "phono stage" or "phono pre-amp." These can cost as little as $35 on up to the price of a family sedan, but they don't have to break the bank to be good. I don't have a separate one so if you need one let the forum know and they'll be happy to make recommendations based on whatever budget you specify. Then connect the ground wire. There should be ground post on the back of the reciever/amplifier/phono stage for this.

Then plug up the power and enjoy the music!

You may end up wanting a carbon fiber record brush to help cut down on static. With these, you want to spend at least $20 because the cheaper ones tend to shed their bristles which kind of defeats the purpose. Stylus brushes are a waste, Mr. Clean Magic Eraser does the job just as well. Just a gentle sweep over the stylus tip between sides and you're good.

I think that's probably enough to get you started. Have fun!

JC

[s1mp13m4n]

I just got the box in the mail today and opened it up. I now own a nice Technics SL-5 turntable. I wiped it down and cleaned it a bit to remove dust and such. The unit came with the wrong power cord so i will have to get one of those. My new cartridge and stylus has not arrived for it yet. With this being my first turntable, I am a little concerned about trying it out as it sits as I do not know the condition of the stylus that it has. Would it be ok to try out if what is installed already is cleaned? My Onkyo receiver has a phono input so how do I hook it up, I mean what is this grounding thing I hear about? Thank you for the help.

[fscl]

CONGRATS and Go for it......

If it was advertized as a working tt with working cartridge, no reason not to try it out.

Download the instruction manual here and put it through it's paces:

http://www.vinylengine.com/library/technics/sl-5.shtml

Just follow the instructions and see how it sounds and use something like a broadway showtunes LP.....

Good luck.

Fred

[s1mp13m4n]

The turntable did not come with the correct power cord, interconnects or a ground cable. I will look and see what I can find. My turntable has a plug type connector and my receiver has a screw so I will need a cable to fit this, interconnects, and a power cable for the turntable. Radio Shack nor Best Buy locally can help me here as they do not have any or all of it, so to the internet I go. Would you folks do me a favor, with me being blind, can you help me locate the right power cord, ground wire, and interconnects for my Technics SL-5? I ask because descriptions do not tell me what shape the power cord is and also which ends the ground cable has on it, many seem to be spade to spade and it looks like I need male 1/8th to spade. Thanks for the help with this.

[Alec124c41]

In a pinch, you could fold the end of a piece of wire and push it into the ground plug, then wrap the other end around the ground screw on the amp.
The AC cable should be easy. IIRC it was the same as used on some boom-boxes, electric razors, etc.

Cheers,
Alec

[fscl]

The turntable did not come with the correct power cord, interconnects or a ground cable. I will look and see what I can find. My turntable has a plug type connector and my receiver has a screw so I will need a cable to fit this, interconnects, and a power cable for the turntable. Radio Shack nor Best Buy locally can help me here as they do not have any or all of it, so to the internet I go. Would you folks do me a favor, with me being blind, can you help me locate the right power cord, ground wire, and interconnects for my Technics SL-5? I ask because descriptions do not tell me what shape the power cord is and also which ends the ground cable has on it, many seem to be spade to spade and it looks like I need male 1/8th to spade. Thanks for the help with this.

Wow, I hope you got a good price on the unit with all the missing pieces....

If you are handy, you can save yourself some money and make the ground with wire, solder, lug and banana plug. Here's some grounds for the SL-5:

http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_trksid= ... e&_sacat=0

#1 and #4 looks like it would fit yours.

Power plug..... try here:

http://partstore.com/Model/Matsushita/P ... hTerm=True

I've purchased from Parts Store before and was pleased with their service.

RCA plugs are available from the Shack.

Good luck.

Fred

[s1mp13m4n]

The turntable came with a power cord but it was the wrong end type. The turntable seems to have come from a thrift store or consignment shop or some sort of place "with a cause" thus this was an item to raise money for something else. The turntable ground wire was not there but that is it. The 45 adapter was there, it just had the wrong power cord with it. Just for knowing sake, what is a fair price for this turntable?
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jsrdrnr/se ... 1521047525

[Bob in STL]

I looked at your users manual. The picture indicates no hard wired connections as you stated.

The phono plugs are just standard RCA phono plugs. You can get a decent set at Radio Shack, Best Buy, etc. This is your easiest part to get.

The AC looks like a two prong receptacle, not the more common three prong of today. You should be able to find one at Radio Shack, Best Buy, Target, etc. You will need to make sure it is shaped to fit and also take note of whether there is a male connector (has prongs) on your turntable or not. I would guess the turntable has the prongs but you should make sure.


The ground looks like a "banana plug" receptible on the turntable end but
I cannot tell for sure. I wish I could tell the size (measured in millimeters) on the turntable end, the other end of the ground wire can just be a stripped and twisted leaving 1/2 inch of bare wire to wrap around the ground lug of your amp. Just don't know the exact connector?


Maybe you can take the manual to a Radio Shack or a good electronics store and they will help you?

Bob

[s1mp13m4n]

I talked to my local Radio Shack & Best Buy and they were no help at all on the ground wire issue. I got the best set of RCA interconnects that Walmart had, they were under $20. I found a guy on ebay who says he makes the ground lead that I need for $7. He also has the power cord which Best Buy did not have, nor did Walmart, and Radio Shack was $11 but not in stock.

[Bob in STL]

I talked to my local Radio Shack & Best Buy and they were no help at all on the ground wire issue. I got the best set of RCA interconnects that Walmart had, they were under $20. I found a guy on ebay who says he makes the ground lead that I need for $7. He also has the power cord which Best Buy did not have, nor did Walmart, and Radio Shack was $11 but not in stock.

I would hate to see you use ebay for a piece of ground wire and a 50 cent connector. There are other ways to ground the turntable as Alec suggested but you will need a permanent solution. I wish you were nearby.

I would try to find a local shop and see if they can make one for you. You may need to establish a relationship with a good technicain anyway.

Keep working it! Bob

[jc_the_trucker]

Is this the proper cord?

http://www.frys.com/product/339242?site=sr:SEARCH:MAIN_RSLT_PG

Frys has everything!

[s1mp13m4n]

Thanks for all of the help. The reason that I am looking for the correct turntable ground wire is that I can not see to make my own. I realize $7 is a lot for some wire with a spade at one end and a connector on the other, but I do not have much choice. My wife has been helping me look locally and there is really nothing around where I live that would sell such a thing. The local mom & pop electronics place wants more to make me a cable than the $7 the guys wants from ebay. Plus the local mom & pop does not know what connector is on my Technics SL-5 turn table, DOH. This is why I was asking for help in finding the parts. I have the interconnects now, record cleaning kit, new cartridge with diamond stylus. I am waiting on the power cord and ground cable, then I will be all set to start use my new toy.

[BobinNJ]

I've got a SL-5. Let me know if you need any pictures of the ground wire and the power cord. I know the power cord is a non-standard item, as a 2 prong computer cord won't fit. I agree that the ground cable will need to be replicated, as it's a very rare item thes days.
PS My SL-5 is over 30 yrs old, and still going strong.