Technics SL 1600 (1976–1978)
A direct-drive automatic turntable released in 1976, with a built-in MM cartridge.
Overview
The Technics SL-1600 is a direct-drive automatic turntable. It came out in 1976 and stayed in production until at least 1978. It has a static balanced universal S-shaped tone arm and ships with the Technics MM cartridge EPC-270C. A one-chip IC (AN630) handles motor control, which was advanced integration for the time. A memory repeat function gives continuous playback.
Specifications
| Type system | Direct Drive |
| Drive motor | B / FG servo DC motor with one chip IC |
| Turntable | Aluminum die-cast, 33 cm diameter |
| Number of revolutions | 33 1/3, 45 rpm |
| Wow flutter | 0.025%WRMS(JIS C5521) ± 0.035% Wpeak (DIN 45507) |
| Signal-to-noise ratio | 60dB(IEC 179B) 50dB(DIN 45539A) 73dB(DIN 45539B) |
| Rumble | -73dB (mk1), -78dB (mk2) |
| Tone Arm Type | Static balanced universal S-shaped tone arm |
| Effective arm length | 230mm |
| Overhang | 15mm |
| Tracking error angle | + 3 ° (30 cm record circumference) + 1 ° (30 cm record inner circumference) |
| Rotational axis sensitivity | Horizontal and vertical, initial motion sensitivity 7 mg |
| Arm effective mass | 22g (Cartridge Weight 6.0g, Needle Pressure 1.75g) |
| Needle pressure adjustment range | 0g ~ 3g (Needle Pressure Direct Reading Type) |
| Applicable Cartridge Weight | 5g ~ 11g |
| Shell Weight | 9.5g |
| Cartridge Part (EPC-270C) Type | MM Type Stereo Cartridge |
| Cartridge Frequency characteristic | 20 Hz to 25 kHz |
| Cartridge Output voltage | 3.2 mv (1 khz, 5cm/sec, horizontal speed) 4.5 mv (1 khz, 5cm/sec, 45 ゜ speed) |
| Cartridge Channel Separation (1 kHz) | 25dB |
| Cartridge Impedance (1 kHz) | 3.6k Ω |
| Cartridge Compliance | 10x10 -6 cm/dyne(100Hz) |
| Cartridge Needle pressure range | 1.75 ± 0.25g |
| Cartridge Recommended load resistance | 47k Ω ~ 100k Ω |
| Cartridge Recommended parallel load capacity | 200 pF or less |
| Cartridge Needle tip | Diamond needle |
| Cartridge Dead weight | 6.0g |
| Cartridge Exchange needle | EPS-270SD, EPS-270ED (Elliptical Needle) |
| Cartridge Mounting Dimensions | JIS Standard 12.7 mm (1/2inch) Mounting Interval |
| Cartridge Output terminal | 1.2 mm φ 4-pin terminal |
| Power supply voltage | 100 VAC, 50Hz/60Hz |
| Power consumption | 4W |
| External dimensions | Width 453x Height 125x Depth 369 mm |
| Weight | 8.5kg |
Design
The SL-1600 uses a B/FG servo DC motor driven by the AN630 one-chip IC. That chip was one of the most integrated bipolar linear ICs of its time, with 321 elements on a 3x2.7 mm silicon substrate. The motor is an ultra-low-speed brushless DC type. The tone arm uses a gimbal suspension and a zinc alloy die-cast base. The cabinet floats the turntable and tone arm on a double insulator system made of viscoelastic material and metal springs. You also get memory repeat, a prism-type strobe illuminator, anti-skating control and a viscous oil-damped queuing device. The cartridge shell is solid die-cast aluminum with gold-plated terminals, and the PU output cord is low-capacity.
Market
Used SL-1600 units have turned up at a wide spread of prices, including listings at $10, $100 and $605.49. Some users report buying non-functional units for under $100 and restoring them successfully.
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Related Models
- Technics EAH-220
- Technics SL-110
- Technics SL-1200 Mk2
- Technics SL-1200GME
- Technics SL-1210
- Garrard SP (1975)
- Luxman PD-310 (1981)
- Luxman PD-555 (1983)
- Thorens TD-124 (1957–1967)
- Harman Kardon kardon-turntables (1975)