opportunity to buy first TTs...how to inspect the quality of the decks?

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-- opportunity to buy first TTs...how to inspect the quality of the decks?

Posted by estes on Jul-29-2004 15:14:

opportunity to buy first TTs...how to inspect the quality of the decks?

hello all,
i have an opportunity to buy two technics 1200s for $400. orginally the guy wanted $450 because he had expensive needles. Later I was told he would take the $400....I would like to know how I can tell what type of needles these are (cartidges too i think? ... not sure what cartridges are...i'm pretty damn new). Is there any way to tell? Also, when I inspect the tables, what are some things I should test and look out for..so I know everythign is in good shape? all info welcome..thanks again!

Posted by D Dubya on Jul-29-2004 15:26:

I think there was an exact thread I posted the answer to this on if you use the search option. I'd go over it again, but I gotta run.

Posted by opianstate on Jul-29-2004 15:30:

here you go, this page gives good information on this exact subject:

Buying A Used 1200

Posted by opianstate on Jul-29-2004 15:35:

also, take a good look at the carts, you'll either see that they're "concorde" style (which means that they are one long piece sticking out fron the tonearm) or headshell mounted (meaning they have a box hanging off the bottom of the headshell piece) . . . there are quality cartridges in both categories. Typically, Ortofon (concorde) cartridges are a good choice, and if it's headshell mount, Shure is good, as well as some Stantons. You might have to do a little research in this category to know what you're getting. Fortunately for you though, $400 is a great deal for used Techs if they're in good working condition.

Posted by estes on Jul-29-2004 15:40:

thanks for the replies all...yeah i shoulda mentioned it comes with a mixer (nothign to great i believe). i read the linked document, and alota that technical information seems greek to me. i will do more research, in the meantime....anyone have any info in more layman's terms? for example i'm going to walk in..power things things on..and just see if they play..i'll prob sit there starring at all the equipement not knowing if it's working correctly. basically, i guess some explinations of basic things to do... ie/ put a record on and make sure it the record isn't wobbling on an angle, look at the needels themselves and you can tell if they are "so n so" if they "yadda yadda". you can tell teh extent of my knowledge is pretty little as of now ;/

Posted by estes on Jul-29-2004 20:02:

I probably should have rephrased my last post. Basically, are there any basic tests I can do to make sure there are nothign majorly wrong with these TTs. In the link given it seems like minor tuneups or maintenance could fix those issues w/out costing an arm or a leg. If i put a record on and they play & sound fine...I would like to do some quick tests (if there are any) that would tell me they are working good..and little if any maintenance is required. hopefully this makes sense.

Posted by D Dubya on Jul-29-2004 22:31:

The technics have an easy test you can perform. First of all, turn them on. The red strobe should light up. Make sure the pop-up lights pop up and down and turn on and off. Press start. Zero the pitch (use the pitch slider on the turntable, set it to zero either using the reset button on M3D, MK5, M5G or just manually place it to zero on any previous models that don't have the reset button). Watch the little dots on the platter that are lit up by the red strobe. Do the big ones in the middle appear to stand still? Make sure they do. What you are looking out for is when the dots seem to be changing speeds sporadically. If they stay the same speed, then the platter is spinning at a normal steady speed. Try this on both the 33 and 45 setting. Put your head eye level with the platter. Is it bent? Is it wobbling while it plays -- it shouldnt be. Hook it up, throw on a record and listen to it. Does it produce sound equally out of both left and right speakers (make sure the balance on the mixer is set even). Place your finger down on the spinning platter. Can you feel the motor fighting the friction and spinning hard? It should be. It shouldnt be easy to stop the platter. Those are some good tests. That should help you out - without the jargon.

Posted by lyte on Aug-24-2004 02:45:

very good information. thanks

but a quick question.. is the pop up light important?

Posted by D Dubya on Aug-24-2004 03:31:

It's really not that big of a deal unless you are planning on using them at events, nightclubs or in a very dark room. The whole point is just to light up the vinyl so that you can physically see the buildups, breakdowns and so forth of the tracks on the records. It is almost necessary if you are in the dark, I know I rely on it a lot, but for a bedroom setup, I think you will get by just fine

Posted by tranceDJ on Aug-24-2004 03:38:

You can always replace the popup lights anyway, you can get blue ones too.