Technics SL-BD20D Turntable

Product Rating
3.83 of 5
6 reviews

Price Range
$100 - $180

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Product Description

Summary

SLBD20D is truly a gem ready to polished. The wow and fuller and signal to noise radio is truly among audiophile quality. The arm is light and tracks well. But, you need to change throw away cartridge to a high quality audio technica or shure brand. Once you do that, you're where many a high turntable wishes you weren't (in there territory). In the present state, you just don't get what this table can do. Buy one and make the upgrade that most can afford to do. I used the Audio Technica AT311ED, and further upgraded the stylus to the shibata diamond. People, you can't even imagine how good my LP's sound.

Strength

Cost
Quality
Specs (oh yeah)

Weakness

The cartridge that came in it is like putting cheap radials on a Porsche.

Summary

It is what it is. That said, do not expect this 'table to perform like the legendary Technics mk1200 (a.k.a wheel of steel) or the M3D. This platter is for casual listening, not for dj professional use or archiving ancient and worn out vinyl to a digital recorder. I personally use the SLBD20D as a second turntable in another room for my own private listening. Speed accuracy and wow and flutter are up to par with more pricier esoteric belt-driven brands. The nice features and characteristics include front controls, semi-auto return, and an above average weighty feel to it (it still is prone to strong vibrations). Also, there are no antiskating or stylus weight controls which means, yes , this the tonearm will skip with slightly warped albums. It also looks sleek and contemporary without looking cheap or garish like other companies who replace quality with afterthought due to low demand for vinyl these days !

Strength

-Sturdy to almost near solid build -Easy frontal controls -Easy cartridge replacement -Pretty good playback speed accuracy -Clean and sleek look

Weakness

-No tracking force, anti-skating adjustment controls -Will skip on older or minimally warped records -I would not use this to archive valuable lps to digital format -Prone to vibrations (if placed somewhat close to loud speakers or any floor movement)

Summary

I was looking for a decent, inexpensive turntable with a preamp to connect to a PC sound card to digitize LPs. After buying and returning THREE different Sony LX250H units for various reasons(what a total piece of junk), I dropped another $60 for the Technics and a separate preamp. Should have done this from the start - the Technics was superior in every way. Worked perfectly for intended use.

Strength

Sound quality

Weakness

No preamp

Summary

a decent product producing a good sound with rock, r&b. a great addition to the rather clinical sound of a CD player.

Strength

i have experienced no skipping on circa 100 LP's ranging in age from 30 to 15 years old and well used. I am not an expert audiophile but the turntable has worked absolutely fine.

Weakness

none so far

Summary

I owned this turntable for nearly 4 years before selling it to a friend earlier this year. Never had any problems with
it, sounded great with the Audio Technica AT331LP cartridge
(also purchased from J & R Music World). The cartridge was
a bit difficult to install, however. This turntable now has
a cartridge included, not sure of the quality of this cartridge. Sold it because I wanted a fully automatic unit.

Strength

Easy to set up and use, nearly foolproof

Weakness

Not fully automatic