Technics SL-1500C

A beautifully made and fuss-free record player with a fine built-in phono stage

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The rebirth of the Technics brand has been fascinating. Since 2014, Technics has released a steady stream of products with varying degrees of success, but in recent years it feels as if the company has really hit its stride.

The high-end SL-1000R turntable, introduced in early 2018, was the first product to confirm that the brand really could deliver. We were so impressed that it has now become our reference record player. And that good work has continued with the entry-level SL-1500C.

This is a less elaborate mini-me of the high-end model, still using a core-less direct-drive motor with sophisticated speed-management circuitry, a hefty, well-damped chassis and a version of the company's long-running S-shaped arm.

Obsessive engineering

It comes supplied with the well-respected Ortofon 2M Red cartridge and is equipped with a builtin phono stage. There is even a switchable auto-lift function that takes the stylus off the record once the end of the side has been reached. It takes around ten revolutions for this to kick-in, so don't worry if it doesn’t happen as soon at the stylus tip reaches the run-out groove.

Technics has been obsessive about the engineering details on the SL-1500C. That motor is designed to avoid issues such as clogging, and the speed control uses techniques first developed for parent company Panasonic's Blu-ray players to help with stability and accuracy. The platter is made of aluminium, and damped on the underside with rubber to control resonances.

Even the plinth is more sophisticated than its clean-cut appearance suggests. It uses a combination of aluminium, ABS and glass fibre to achieve the mix of rigidity and vibration control required to allow the turntable to do its job properly. There are two finish options, silver or black.