Flipthebuzzard Posted May 9, 2016 Share Posted May 9, 2016 Hello all, new here from across the pond in sunny England, just starting getting into Vinyl - addiction taking hold already...! I have recently acquired a slightly weathered Technics SL-150 with SME 3009 Series II tonearm (non improved version, i think) - it needs a bit of TLC but still working well, some slight speed drift but expecting that to clear up once i clean up the pots and sounds pretty darn decent - however, i wouldn't mind looking into renewing the cartridge and case but wondered if anyone can help identify what is currently fitted - i think it's a Shure but no idea what model (or even if it is a Shure at all) I enclose a few pics as follows: Also, any advice on the best way to go about cleaning it up and what to use (isoproyl alc? washing up liquid! - ??).... i'm reluctant to take the whole assembly apart - never done that before - particularly as the calibration (at least for the current cart) seems bang on. Thanks in advance for all and any help! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ajxd Posted May 9, 2016 Share Posted May 9, 2016 More photos/angles of the cartridge would help. Flipthebuzzard 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flipthebuzzard Posted May 9, 2016 Author Share Posted May 9, 2016 Quote More photos/angles of the cartridge would help. Agreed... as follows, thanks for looking Thanks again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
heypeterman Posted May 10, 2016 Share Posted May 10, 2016 Cartridge is an ADC like these: https://www.google.ca/search?q=adc+cartridge&rlz=1C1CAFB_enCA670CA670&espv=2&biw=1366&bih=643&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjPie7fus7MAhVMxmMKHaf9DdEQ_AUIBigB#tbm=isch&q=adc+qlm+cartridge Flipthebuzzard 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flipthebuzzard Posted May 10, 2016 Author Share Posted May 10, 2016 Amazing, thanks so much. It is indeed an ADC Gold cartridge. Have tracked down an original ADC XLM MkII Improved Stylus and ordered that today to breathe new life into this beast. Am very keen to strip back, clean and respray the baseplate, is all in need of a thorough cleanse. Does anyone know where I might find a service manual for this model (SL-150 MkI)...? I can find the MkII manual online but nothing for the MkI. Guidance, help, pointers etc all tremendously appreciated! Thanks again Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
allenh Posted May 10, 2016 Share Posted May 10, 2016 The arm is a SME3009 improved with fixed headshell, worth a lot more than the table and can cope with a lot better cartridge than is in it now. If it were mine I'd sell the table, keep the arm and buy something a bit more deserving to mount that arm on. You could of course sell it all and buy something modern and boring but you wouldn't then be the proud owner of a true hifi legend and icon. The manuals for the arm, table and cartridge are all available on the vinyl engine so it you haven't got a free account with them sign up and you can download everything you'll need. Flipthebuzzard 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flipthebuzzard Posted May 10, 2016 Author Share Posted May 10, 2016 Great reply, thank you. I am keen to keep the ADC cart and XLM stylus for now as i like the 'vintage' appeal of doing so within that tonearm. I had also thought it might be an idea to put these in a 'cleaner' turntable myself, but again do like the idea of keeping it all 'original' - i certainly wouldn't grab something uber modern. Perhaps i will try taking the deck apart and cleaning throughout, respray of the plate and fresh decals etc, see how i get on. Worst case if i do ruin something at least i won't have killed a decent example of this model and best case i have a great deck i can look to keep alongside a more modern equivalent when funds allow... Or do you honestly think it's not worth it? What deck would you suggest hunting down as an alternative?? - allowing for the SME arm to be fitted of course. Thanks again for the guidance Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
allenh Posted May 10, 2016 Share Posted May 10, 2016 That arm isn't standard in that table and was fitted to many tables from the late 60's on or was bought as a standalone arm but it's not an unusual fitment on that table. If you do fit it to something else the armboard will be valuable to someone to use on one of the higher up the foodchain Technics tables I'm sure. You can get every spare part and upgrade part you will ever need for that arm as SME are still going and there are a lot of after market parts available for it, if it were mine and it hadn't already been done I'd rewire it with some Cardas cable as the cable in it must be getting on for 40 years old now and do the RCA connections mod, fit it to either a Garrard 301/401, or something with a 3 point suspended chassis like a Thorens, AR, Pink Triangle, Linn or perhaps an early Sota Saphire or Luxman and fit a decent MC cart in it. The ADC cartridge whilst quite good is nowhere near the standard that arm is capable of dealing with although it's upside is that ADC used pretty much the same body for all their carts so you can fit a much better stylus to it. Don't get me wrong as there's nothing basically wrong with that table it just won't get the best out of that arm, now you've got it unless you paid a lot of money I'd hang onto it whatever you do with it. Flipthebuzzard 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flipthebuzzard Posted May 11, 2016 Author Share Posted May 11, 2016 Once more, thanks for such help - a great and detailed reply much appreciated. I think we may have slightly differing budgets sir - just had a look at those Garrards (!) But all joking aside I can see where you are coming from totally. For now i will get on with the SL-150 as a little project, will 'clean' it up, remove psu to keep externally in the hope of reducing 'noise' and replace the lightweight plastic base with a nice piece of Ash wood or something similar to help improve weight, tone and reduce vibration. I will get a thread on here going to show my progress (or lack of!) for anyone who may be at all interested and for help along the way Will certainly look into the wiring and RCA mod you mentioned for the tonearm too. Couldn't agree more that given the age it would be a wise thing to do. Ultimately, further down the line (or if i really balls up the 'clean/upgrade of the 150!?) i will definitely look into getting the SME into a nice Thorens/Linn or Mitchell - i really like the look of them. Will bear in mind your suggestion of making sure a suspended chassis. I will certainly hold on to that arm. Again, thanks so much, to all - but particularly you allenh Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
allenh Posted May 11, 2016 Share Posted May 11, 2016 Not sure if you're in Europe or the US but if in Europe keep your eye out for a Thorens TD160/166, or if in the US an AR EB101 or Legend, all can still be had in their domestic markets for a reasonable price with some digging and would be a nice home for that arm. Don't confuse the European AR EB101 with the US one as they are totally different tables with the EU one having a much lower quality plinth. Flipthebuzzard 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flipthebuzzard Posted May 11, 2016 Author Share Posted May 11, 2016 Need to update my location on profile - next job. I am in the UK - Colchester, Essex I really like the look of that TD160 - and certainly more in my budget, thank you greatly. That is definitely where I will go for my next buy now I know I can swap in the SME I already have without too much messing around with the baseplate. I can see myself getting a real addiction to these 'vintage' tables!? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
allenh Posted May 11, 2016 Share Posted May 11, 2016 OK a TD160 or 166 should be no problem here in the UK and you've got a lot more you could look at like a Systemdek (not the Biscuit tin one) or an Ariston (not a Q deck) those can be had for sensible money if you look around or possibly a Heybrook if you can find one, an ERA (which is French) a Strathclyde STD or if you're lucky a Logic. There were shed loads of tables made here in the 70's and 80's and all will have started out with the SME 3009 in mind Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flipthebuzzard Posted May 11, 2016 Author Share Posted May 11, 2016 I can tell my limited browsing before was really just the tip of an enormous vintage iceberg - ! Brilliant stuff, i'm already hooked! Most gems are likely already snapped up well by now (especially with the days of ebay/gumtree and such) but i may even venture forth to a couple of larger car boots... who knows...well, it's a morning out at least, ha Thanks so much for everything Allen - i hope we will speak again on such matters as my turntable journeys continue. Notice you sell on discogs - will be scouting your list when next payday rolls in Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
allenh Posted May 11, 2016 Share Posted May 11, 2016 You will find them at bootfairs but you'll have to be lucky or get up bloody early, they are out there though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flipthebuzzard Posted May 11, 2016 Author Share Posted May 11, 2016 Just now, allenh said: You will find them at bootfairs but you'll have to be lucky or get up bloody early, they are out there though. 3 alarms will be set....! ha Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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