Technics SL B303 (1981)
A fully-automatic belt-driven turntable from 1981. It senses both record size and record presence.
Overview
The Technics SL B303 is a fully-automatic turntable, made by Technics and released in 1981. It has auto-start, auto-return and auto-stop, and built-in sensing that detects whether a record is there and how big it is. An FG servo DC motor with electronic speed control keeps belt wear down. It also has repeat play. All the controls are on the front, so the dust cover can stay closed.
Specifications
| Drive system | Belt drive |
| Drive motor | FG servo DC motor |
| Operation type | fully automatic |
| Speeds | 33 1/3, 45 rpm |
| Wow and flutter | 0.045% wrms |
| Rumble | -70dB |
| Signal-to-noise ratio | 70dB(IEC98A weighted) |
| Tonearm type | Static Balance Universal S-Shaped Type |
| Tonearm effective length | 230mm |
| Tonearm overhang | 15mm |
| Tonearm offset angle | 22 degrees |
| Needle pressure adjustment range | 0 ~ 2.5g |
| Shell Weight | 8g |
| Applicable Cartridge Weight | 5g ~ 7.5g |
| Cartridge type (original) | MM Type Stereo Cartridge |
| Cartridge dead weight | 6.0g |
| Exchange needle | EPS-270SD (round needle, ¥ 2,800), EPS-270ED (Elliptical Needle, ¥ 5,500) |
| Turntable platter | 30.4 cm Aluminum Die-cast |
| Power | 100 VAC, 50Hz/60Hz |
| Power consumption | 3W |
| Dimensions | Width 430x Height 106x Depth 375 mm |
| Weight | 4.3kg |
Design
Electronic control handles the speed changes and keeps belt wear to a minimum. Internal sensors detect record size and presence, and they control the tonearm movement. The cabinet is made from TNRC, an acoustic material with high vibration damping and absorption. Every operation switch, including the queuing lever, sits on the front panel, again so the dust cover can stay shut.
Market
The Technics SL B303 originally sold for ¥32,800. Used examples have sold for $209, ZAR2,500.00 and CZK 6,900, and one went for as low as $10 at a storage sale. Common problems are speed fluctuations, worn belts, and missing needles or counterweights. Listings often advertise a "new belt" as a selling point.
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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)