Linear tracking is the most accurate way to follow the groove, Tangencial tone arms tend to skew a little bit off at the beginning and at the end of the record's spiral groove, that can cause phase drift between the left and right channels, not noticeable to most people but it's there. For monophonic records this is not an issue at all.

How did you unpin the top of the device? It’s really complicated to take it apart.

An issue has popped up after listening to a record a few times. Well 2 issues. Sound is a bit muffled, but I think the needle has been a bit squashed. Will order a new one. Bigger problem is that the worm drive to lift the tonearm doesn't always engage properly. I think there is a bit of wear, so maybe it needs a shim or something to get it to work more reliably. Part 2 will show the problem, and the fix.

Looks to be the same motor in the 260 models. I need a new motor I think as the one in my unit seems slow, and wore out. Adjusted speed to no avail.

Hi! Do you happen to know where I can find a service manual for this camera? Also if there are spare parts online because I just cannot find any. None of the back buttons work for me except the Menu button on the wheel. It's basically a film camera for me, I just shoot and then I review the photos on my computer, which is far from being practical if I'm being honest. Thanks in advance!

How very unjapanese of them to solder this into the board, bit of a pain and not needed, they could have easily made it an easy swap like a normal motherboard 2032 sigh. Thanks for the video, I'm about to change mine but tempted to just solder a positive negative cable so I don't need to disassemble the entire thing again to the display area just for the next change. I did find one locally here in New Zealand for the battery

My SL-QL5 seems to play fine, but the needle drags across the record on return. What the heck would cause this?

I have one of these, was never serviced works perfectly after all these years ❤❤

New to record players, any idea where i hook up the ground wire on this specific turntable?

Hi did you ever post a how to record vid as I have no idea how to do it! Many thanks

are you able to help me for this ? i have a Matsushita MMI-6S2R2D motor and it has a exposed resistor betwheen the + and - pins, and it also has a ground pin, which is intresting, the resistor connects the + to the - pin, and when i did a test on the motor at 2V (10 volts less than its rated voltage) while wiring it up correctly according to its back, the resistor immediatly started smoking, i turned off the power to it and just wondered, why did it burnout if i wired it up correctly ??? tho, one thing for sure, its not a cascade problem, as around 10 days ago when i first got the motor, i did a 5V test and it worked fine (just lower speed due to lower voltage), so once again, why dosen't it work now ??? but now to the actual thing, do you have any ideas on how to fix that resistor problem ? in case its about remplacing the resistor : yes it is possible, just unsolder it and put a new one, that easy, but it might do it again.

Excellent video. Thanks for mentioning the plastic pin underneath. I had removed it but could not find the hole where it went back in. The hole is not round, it is just a gap in that lower right molded in clip. I had good results simply removing the screw on the left side of the guide bar, sliding it out, cleaning off the sticky grease and putting it back in with new grease. There are small rubber boots at each end of the bar. The only trick is getting the upper part of that carriage back in the slot , up by the window, when the bar is reinstalled. The whole assembly drops down with the bar removed. With the old grease on the tone arm linear track bushing, the friction is too much for the motor drive and the belt wears out.

Have one but the sound is muffled. Anyone have this issue and advise?

When you work on these how often are they out of spec and is it noticeable during playback? What should you look for or hear with an out of spec servo? Thanks for the video.

Can you post in comments all the final capacitors you need to replace for SL-5?

KT-RS1 is a pain to work with because of the wires, but managed to fixed the gears and reels hub with JB weld without de-soldering any wires. all wires have enough slack to open the circuit board wide enough you can access the gears driving the reels.

Nice video Felix, I got one SL-5 like yours, is a 110v, but I live in Europe, and here is 220v, I think the people who I bought the TT they plug the TT to 220v and now even with a step down transformer there is no sign of living, can you please indicate me were is the fuse located in this TT? Thanks, cheers.

Thank you so much for this series! I have owned my SL-5 since the mid 80's. It sat dormant for ages. I have been using it again for the last few years. I have an issue which I believe is just a 40 yo belt and decided to do a "rebuild". Thanks for the caps list, allowed me to order and wait until I had all parts before opening up. Anyhow, the reason I am posting is I found capacitor #7 (as you counted) to not be populated. Appears to have never been placed. I wonder if this cap was removed from the BOM (parts list) later. There are holes on the component side, but there are pads coving it on the other side.

I have a sl 5 and there are some records that are a bit too big and making sound when it's touch the side. Is it something that happens to you too?

Do you have, by any chance, the 25 cm record adaptor that came with the SL-5 to be able to play 10" records? I can't find it anywhere for sale new or used. I had to put a tape on the back sensor so it can play 10" records. But I have to press the play button continuously first time I press it to move the arm to the 10" record, 'cause if I don't the needle will think a 12" record in on the table and drop directly on the mat.

Thanks for repair series. Just got rare vertical SL-V5😊

I've opened, and closed a defective Technics SL-5 Linear Tracking Turntable up to five times; the motor, gear, worm gear cover is badly designed. There is this plastic rivet that is almost impossible to put back in place; and that cover once in re-installed, and fully in a correct position, mysteriously stops the top lid from fully closing! And I was considering on a purchase of a Technics SL-1500C Direct Drive Turntable, new if possible; I think not. No way. Perhaps it is better to get a Thorens Direct Drive Turntable. Technics has done a disservice for a turntable owner, user to service a record playing system that is defective in design; and has eventual problems with correct functioning of its linear tracking tonearm. Broadly described, there are discrepancies with correct function! I've got up to four different turntables, three of which are going to be connected to my main hi fi audio system. And I have a Rega Planar 3 mostly bought as a plinth; Linn Basik Plus Tonearm, and I mounted a new Audio Technica AT95E MM Cartridge; not the newer VM Series, by the way. Sounds good, musicality without resonance is what it has, and what you are supposed to hear. Previous owner had drilled a larger tonearm hole on that Planar 3 early 1980s plinth; and I had problems with restoration; but not as much as this linear tracking turntable - the SL-5 by Technics! At least three of these turntables work, and function well! Although I restored, repaired, and eventually upgraded a Rega Planar 3 by installing, soldering in a Rega 24V Motor Upgrade; at least it spins, and works well enough.🔉🎵🎶

Hi again!!! Just found it!!! A strong pull in the back solved!!! Thanks anyway for you video!

Hi Felix! Greetings from Brazil! I just bough a hitachi cooker almost like yours. Unfortunately, in the trip back, the airline company tried to “destroy” it (in my luggage, and the metal case was dented. Do you know how to take the metal case? I’ve disassembled the bottom part, but the metallic case is stuck somewhere that I cannot take it away.

Very good explanation, congrats! One big question: where do i put the pushpin at the panel of the tonearm drive motor? I could'nt see it properly. Even in the service manual you can't see it. After cleaning and relube, the machine works, but I still have this pushpin left.🤔 Thanks for these videos!👌

I have a SL-5 in need of speed adjustment but I can't figure out how did you put the plat to work without closing the lid.

Just got an SL-5 from a wonderful local couple. Seemed to play great on demo, but currently waitng on a new LP Gear carbon fiber cartridge/stylus to arrive before using myself. While I hope this lasts for quite some time before I have to do any repairs, I wanted to thank you in advance for sharing all of your knowledge here. As a new SL-5 owner, I truly appreciate being able to access your videos. Thanks again!

I just acquired one from Ebay for $70. It was listed, "For parts...," because the seller wasn't able to test it. It works well, except the stylus drags, just a little, when returning automatically, at the very end of the record. It came with a GRADO cartridge (a major reason why I bought this particular one), and sounds fantastic! I'm looking forward to using these videos for info on tweaking my SL-5.

Thank you so much for the series - I have had a long love affair with my SL-5 that I bought in 1981. But I got to this video and reviewed and reviewed it...but you never say what it is that you are testing, or how you know where to test. Respectfully, I don't care about whether or not you made a jig to set it on, but how did you know to attach your testing device to pin 3? How do you know what reading you need on the testing device. why should get a reading of 3.6 microvolts if you move something over? Why is 3.5 ok? The video does not show what you are adjusting. How do you know that? Where is that information? I am a total novice with electronics, I can understand the mechanical stuff, replacing capacitors, cleaning, etc... but I have no idea what you are testing here. Thank you for any help. Feel like my idiot 19 year old self who understood mathematics exceptionally well, until calculus when suddenly I had no idea what anyone was talking about.

just bought a used one today. The sound is great to my ears. Played about ten albums. It did abruptly stop and return early on one of them. I think it was the third one and didn't do it again. So far, so great!

Hey! Thanks for the video. I had a mint in box auto 7 shipped from japan. But it now doesn't seem to be focusing. The focus indicator does not move, q6nd i can see that the lens is not moving around on a half press. Any tips? At some point ill just tear it apart and see what I i can come up with :'(

Buenas noches amigo tengo una planta technics su8011 revento unos filtros pequeños pero no se cual es el valor del los filtros del pre me podrías ayudar

Just got one from eBay and the seller said tested, but when I turned on and put a record on, the needle wiggled and also jumped tracks. I didn’t plug into a receiver and just plugged in . So I looked at the needle and there was nine. So I was wondering how to pull off the cartridge and at first thought to just pull straight out, but there’s a thing that you can turn and seems to loosen up. Anyway, I didn’t want to break anything, so I left alone and why I’m checking yt now. Also, I can’t tell which cartridge is on there and if it’s a replacement or original until I learn how to get the needle or cartridge to come out. But in eBay when putting the SL-5 needle, a bunch show up and not knowing if all the different cartridges for this turntable are compatible with others or if you have to stick with the same brand. Anyway, I’ll look around yt and look for other videos.

I had one in the mid 80’s and thought it was the coolest tt and it sounded great. I just got one off eBay and it was only $99. and many others were going for double that. I can wait to get it and hope it’s working or needs only minor repairs. These are made solid and weigh about 10 pounds.

The question is “Y” would you buy it

hi! i recently picked up an sl-5 online, it has an awful buzzing problem. even with the ground cable connected properly to my preamp and the turntable ground port, it has an obnoxious 50hz hum whenever the needle is unmuted. the buzz disappears when i close the circuit with my body by touching the front panel buttons with one hand, and the ground terminal on my preamp with the other. do you have any ideas as to what is causing this problem? cheers!

Using a tip you mention in this video (to remove and reseat the ribbon cables) I was able to fix a digital camera I bought I online! Thanks!

Howdy! Slowly going through these so I may find an answer, but the tonearm tracking motor keeps slamming itself to the right once I turn it on, so it won’t play for more than a few seconds. Any known fault for this?

Mine just stop in the middle and stop playing the record, what is the problem?

You could just put some shrink tubing on your remote cable...

How do you set the pressure on the needle? Great viedos btw. I just bought one of these for 50 and will be attempting a service

Would this method also work on an 8 Track player? I’ve got a portable player that has that same issue where the motor won’t start until you spin the flywheel.

I have a Philips N2226 and the belt needs replacing because it disintegrated. Luckily it didn't melt, the motor cap needs replacing

Thanks so much for posting/sharing these videos! I acquired one of these with a package deal and I gave it to my son whom will be working on it to fix it. It does work but doesn`t move to the next songs.

I just scored some vintage Techinics gear that included this tt and an integrated amp, eq, double cassette deck and a pair of Cerwin Vega D7s.

Hi Felix, I have the same deck; a CT-940. Do you have the part numbers for the Take-up Idler and/or Pinch Roller? And my push buttons broke the exact same as yours. I super-glued them and then carefully reinforced with some shrink boot. Thanks, -Tom

This might sound like a silly question, but what exactly is the servo gain? Does this affect the amount of pressure as the stylus moves towards the center of the album? Or maybe something else? Near the end of the video, you mentioned that you were not going to mess the spring screw that controls the stylus pressure. If I wanted to adjust the tonearm weight against an album, the platter would have to be stationary while the needle drops down on a scale. This might be a recommended adjustment - maybe for another part? BTW, I'm going through this entire series several times before I crack open my SL-5. I wish more repair videos were like this in several parts. Thanks you!!!

شكرا جزيلا على هذه المعلومات الرائعة 🌹

Many thanks for these videos, really helpful. I've had my SL5 a number of years and previously a few pictures from a vinyl engine link was the best available for some of these pieces. This series is now the best resource on the internet for SL5 repairs, great job sir. One question though please? You mention in one video the height adjustment, something you'd not had cause to adjust. Is that because you found the measurement was Ok? In all honesty, I can't understand how to even take the measurement based on the service manual ... I'm not sure what the top line they're measuring 27.7mm is supposed to be? Working back from the stylus nothing seems to be at 27.7mm! Any chance you could show how to take that measurement please?

Cool