Technics SL-M1

1 9 8 2 1982
1 9 8 4 1984

A serious player well hidden under cheap-ish looks, catering to an old fad (dynamic damping) and to a new one : T4P cartridges.

If the turntable base isn't Technics' usual diecast aluminium, the tonearm base is decast zinc - almost as usual.
The tonearm damping à la Denon is based on oil and springs to damp, damp, damp unwanted vibrations.

Available torque is rather high and the signal to noise ratio shows dramatic improvements over the late 1970s record players.

The T4P cartridges allowed to swap carts in a jiffy without worrying about much. Of course, then, some MC cartridges were also available in T4P format such as Technics' own EPS-310MC.

Deemed gimmicky by the powers that be, the T4P system didn't last long, unfortunately.

Technics SL-M1, image 1 Technics SL-M1, image 2
Technics SL-M1 specifications
Title Value
Type : Quartz-phase-locked Direct-Drive
Motor : ultra-low-speed brushless DC
Platter : 32,5cm aluminium diecast
2,5kg
Inertia moment : 425kg/cm2
Speeds : 33 1/3 & 45rpm
Pitch control : ± 6% Quartz Linear Synthesizer
Starting torque : 1,6kg/cm
Start-up time : 0,9s (1/4 turn ; 33rpm)
Speed fluctuation due to load : 0% within 1kg/cm
Speed accuracy : ± 0,002%
± 0,008% (WRMS, JIS C5521)
± 0,031% (DIN 45507)
S/N ratio : 70dB (DIN 45539A)
82dB (DIN 45593B)
Tonearm type : dynamic damping, tubular straight
gimbal suspension, plug-in connector
Effective length : 23cm
Overhang : 15mm
Firction : 7mg (H and V)
Effective mass : 13,5g (incl. cartridge)
Tracking error : < 0°32' (edge of 30cm LP)
< 2°32' (center of 30cm LP)
Resonance : 9,7Hz
(cart. compliance of 12 x 10-6 cm/dyne)
(6g cart, 1,25g tracking force)
Resonance (Q) : below 8dB
Tracking force : within 0,25g accuracy
Cartridge weight range : 6g
PC : 20W
Dimensions : 45,3 x 17 x 40,6cm
Weight : 10,2kg.4
page online since : september 2007
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