From: utzoo!decvax!harpo!duke!unc!brl-bmd!wmartin
Newsgroups: net.audio
Title: Re: Linear Tracking Turntables
Article-I.D.: brl-bmd.248
Posted: Fri Jul 2 15:51:03 1982
Received: Sat Jul  3 06:54:27 1982


I recently got an SL-7 as a second turntable for the main system, and have
high praise for it. It does its job quite well, and the Ortofon cartridge
sounds fine. I enjoy listening to records on it as well as on the Linn
with a Supex SDX-1000 and modified Marcof headamp, and the SL-7 cost about
as much as the Supex alone did at wholesale! (I got my SL-7 for $254 including
shipping from Wisconsin Discount Stereo, a fairly reliable mail-order source.)

I haven't noticed any sonic aberrations due to the linear tracking making
any corrections or over-correcting, and I had read about that problem with
other machines in various reviews. I actually chose the SL-7 based totally
on its external characteristics --its small size allowed it to fit in a
specific spot on my shelving without moving or rearranging any other gear.

The only bother is cleaning records. If you want to use a Discwasher or the
like prior to each play, you have to spin the turntable with a fingertip
on the edge to use the cleaner on the disc; the interlocks and sensors defeat
attempts to make the motor run with the lid up. I manage to do it and haven't
really minded it yet.

I don't think that there is much difference between the SL-7 and the cheaper
SL-5; the 5 has fewer controls and simpler cosmetics, and comes with either
no cartridge or with some Audio-Technica (I think). (I believe the dealer
determines this point, and I think I have seen the 5 listed both ways by
mail-order discounters.) Probably you will be as happy with the SL-5 as with
the more expensive model.

Regards, Will Martin