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Technics Linear Tracker Help

GPJeff

GPJeff

Super Member
I recently bought a Technics SL-QL1 Linear Tracker off of ebay. I bought a new shibata stylus for the original Technics cartridge. The turntable came with 2 stylus. I'm not blaming the sender, just noting that the tonearm was not in the "locked" position when I opened up the package.
Problems
1. The 25+ year old RCA cables have the normal wear of 25+ cables, the left channel has to be twisted sometimes to make connection. I ordered new RCA cables as per this thread http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=157401 (I ordered the 6ft lengths). I plan to change them out when I get them.

2. This I need help on. The tt does a great job of picking up detail from the vinyl, except for "S's", cymbals, and louder highs are distorted, both channels.

I have 3 styli and have tried them all, same results.
I disconnected the P-Mount cartridge and cleaned it, same results.
I have tried tracking at 1g, 1.25g, and 1.5g (all 3 styli), same results.

I have reached the limit of what I know to check. I have downloaded the service manual from vinyl engine, it list a few other things to do to adjust them arm. Just tinkering, the set screws are really tight, so I don't think something in those adjustments "came loose".

I appreciate the help and input.

IMG_3458Large.jpg

IMG_3460Large.jpg
 
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It needs a thorough servicing. Dried up lubricants and slipping tonearm belts likely don't help this one. And they're higher maintenance than I like. And no alignment or overhang nor tracking force options.
 
Bob, I've ran it through 2 different phono to USB boxes (not at the same time) to the computer and then on my optimus receiver to speakers (3 different ways, same results).

I should note that I played the same vinyl with the same set up on my Kenwood KD-5100 and had no problems.

Kent- the unit arm rail looks like it has fresh oil/ grease on it. I did order an arm belt when I bought the shibata.
 
SL-QL1 has the original Technics cart.
KD-5100 has a Nagaoka-type JT-555 shibata I got from turntable needles .com.

I located another P-mount (AT) that I'm going to try on the QL1 tonight.

Another note, the QL1 seem louder overall than the Kenwood. Looking in the service manual there is a "Tonearm Sensitivity" and "Servo Gain" adjustment where you hook up a voltmeter and adjust according to procedure.
 
I have a Zenith CV660 that no one has ever heard of. Works and sounds ok, if you have time to wait for it to cycle through everything. And like Kent said...this one also has no adjustment options.

I consider the linear turntable (at least the ones that slide in and out of their cabinets) to be novelity TTs. Ok if you are crowded for room, (they can be stacked) and not too picky about the sound.
 
Technics SL-QL1 was amongst the best of the 'P' mount LTs ever offered, it should be performing better than that.
 
Update, I swapped the stock Technics P-Mount cartout with an AT92E, same problem.

I adjusted the servo gain (from the back of the unit), same problem.
 
A penny won't do the trick. That'll probably just make matters worse.

What I would try is to turn the screw under the tonearm clockwise (towards the '+'). I believe that screw allows you to tweak the tracking weight, which might've been adjusted under the 1.25g normal weight. That might help get rid of the sibilance (though don't turn it too much; just a little at a time). Good luck!
-Adam
 
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AdamAnt316 said:
A penny won't do the trick. That'll probably just make matters worse.

What I would try is to turn the screw under the tonearm clockwise (towards the '+'). I believe that screw allows you to tweak the tracking weight, which might've been adjusted under the 1.25g normal weight. That might help get rid of the sibilance (though don't turn it too much; just a little at a time). Good luck!
-Adam
Click to expand...

I'll try that, when I adjusted the tracking weight before I didn't want to over tighten the plastic screw. At this point I'm willing to give it a shot.
 
AdamAnt316 said:
A penny won't do the trick. That'll probably just make matters worse.

What I would try is to turn the screw under the tonearm clockwise (towards the '+'). I believe that screw allows you to tweak the tracking weight, which might've been adjusted under the 1.25g normal weight. That might help get rid of the sibilance (though don't turn it too much; just a little at a time). Good luck!
-Adam
Click to expand...
I didn't see that his had an adjustment. Reading > me.
Mine didn't so the penny worked perfect for me.
 
GPJeff said:
I'll try that, when I adjusted the tracking weight before I didn't want to over tighten the plastic screw. At this point I'm willing to give it a shot.
Click to expand...

It looks to me like your tracking force is already at its maximum, based on the position of the arrow...unless I'm remembering it backward.
 
Bob, that's correct, the tracking force is at max 1.5g. I turned it above that and really could not tell a big difference, although it helped a bit.

I did break open the top part of the case and changed out the arm belt and cleaned and added new grease to the arm rail.

After reading some other threads about certain tables handling different types of vinyl better than others, I'm just going to say this table can't handle that piece of vinyl...

For reference:
Inside the top case
technicssl-ql1Large.jpg


Arm Motor Assembly
technicssl-ql14.jpg


End of Record Arm Stop Adjustment Screw
technicssl-ql13.jpg


Arm & Arm Adjustments
technicssl-ql12.jpg


Old Arm Motor Belt
technicssl-ql11.jpg
 
Set tracking back to mid then. I suppose you've noticed from the sturdy cast metal construction and massive heft that this is no plastic POS as the linears were reputed.
 
The thing weighs about 15 -20 lbs. The sound quality is good as well. I guess there were so many cheap made bad egg linears that they all got grouped up as crap.
 
I have 2 of the SL-7 mini-versions of that TT, decent sounding TTs for casual and pleasure listening but unsuitable IMO for critical listening.
 
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I run this same TT as my daily driver, and found that it performs every bit as well as my Mitsubishi LT-20. I do, though, have a small sibilance issue with mine as well. I'm running a Shure M111HE at 1.25g, brush down. This seems to give the best results. And, I just built (re-purposed) a phono stage from an old Luxman integrated, so I am hearing the best sound from my vinyl ever!

In terms of linear tracking TT's themselves, it's folly to say "they're all crap". Guess what...there have been plenty of crap pivot arm tables made too! Maybe the "high end" of linear trackers doesn't extend as high as pivot arm tables, but a well-executed linear tracker (like the SL-QL1) really is a joy to listen to, without many of the hassles associated with pivot arm setups.
 
jhoyt said:
I run this same TT as my daily driver, and found that it performs every bit as well as my Mitsubishi LT-20. I do, though, have a small sibilance issue with mine as well. I'm running a Shure M111HE at 1.25g, brush down. This seems to give the best results. And, I just built (re-purposed) a phono stage from an old Luxman integrated, so I am hearing the best sound from my vinyl ever!

In terms of linear tracking TT's themselves, it's folly to say "they're all crap". Guess what...there have been plenty of crap pivot arm tables made too! Maybe the "high end" of linear trackers doesn't extend as high as pivot arm tables, but a well-executed linear tracker (like the SL-QL1) really is a joy to listen to, without many of the hassles associated with pivot arm setups.
Click to expand...

The linear trackers do go pretty high into the high end.
 

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