Technics SL-5

Direct-Drive Fully-Automatic Turntable System (1982-1983)

Description

The Technics SL-5 is a compact, record jacket size, fully automatic turntable.

The unit features an integral platter/rotor direct-drive motor and a dynamically balanced, linear tracking tonearm with optoelectronic sensor and microcomputer control.

The chassis is constructed using TNRC (Technics Non Resonant Compound).

Specifications

Type: Fully automatic

Drive system: Direct drive

Motor: ultra low speed brushless DC

Platter: 300mm aluminium die-cast

Speeds: 33.33 and 45rpm

Wow and flutter: 0.025% WRMS

Rumble: -78dB

Tonearm: Low mass linear tracking with gimbal suspension

Cartridge: plug-in connector, moving magnet stereo

Frequency response: 20 to 10,000Hz +-1dB

Dimensions: 315 x 88 x 315mm

Weight: 4.4kg

Review

The wow and flutter of the Technics SL-5 was very low and the speeds accurate despite the absence of quartz lock. Shock was fairly well handled which is normal for a linear tracker, and it also behaved well on the feedback test. Well constructed and adjusted, the lid mounted tonearm possessed very good geometry and a low effective mass of around 3g - £119 HiFi Choice 1983