Technics SL 1600 (1976–1978)

A direct-drive automatic turntable released in 1976, featuring precision engineering and a built-in MM cartridge.

Overview

The Technics SL-1600 is a direct-drive automatic turntable produced by Technics. It was released in 1976 and remained in production until at least 1978. The turntable features a static balanced universal S-shaped tone arm and comes equipped with the Technics MM cartridge EPC-270C. Designed with advanced integration for its time, it uses a one-chip IC (AN630) for motor control and includes a memory repeat function for continuous playback.

Specifications

Type system	Direct Drive
Drive motor	B / FG servo DC motor with one chip IC
Turntable	Aluminum die-cast, 33 cm diameter
Number of revolutions	33 1/3, 45 rpm
Wow flutter	0.025%WRMS(JIS C5521) ± 0.035% Wpeak (DIN 45507)
Signal-to-noise ratio	60dB(IEC 179B) 50dB(DIN 45539A) 73dB(DIN 45539B)
Rumble	-73dB (mk1), -78dB (mk2)
Tone Arm Type	Static balanced universal S-shaped tone arm
Effective arm length	230mm
Overhang	15mm
Tracking error angle	+ 3 ° (30 cm record circumference) + 1 ° (30 cm record inner circumference)
Rotational axis sensitivity	Horizontal and vertical, initial motion sensitivity 7 mg
Arm effective mass	22g (Cartridge Weight 6.0g, Needle Pressure 1.75g)
Needle pressure adjustment range	0g ~ 3g (Needle Pressure Direct Reading Type)
Applicable Cartridge Weight	5g ~ 11g
Shell Weight	9.5g
Cartridge Part (EPC-270C) Type	MM Type Stereo Cartridge
Cartridge Frequency characteristic	20 Hz to 25 kHz
Cartridge Output voltage	3.2 mv (1 khz, 5cm/sec, horizontal speed) 4.5 mv (1 khz, 5cm/sec, 45 ゜ speed)
Cartridge Channel Separation (1 kHz)	25dB
Cartridge Impedance (1 kHz)	3.6k Ω
Cartridge Compliance	10x10 -6 cm/dyne(100Hz)
Cartridge Needle pressure range	1.75 ± 0.25g
Cartridge Recommended load resistance	47k Ω ~ 100k Ω
Cartridge Recommended parallel load capacity	200 pF or less
Cartridge Needle tip	Diamond needle
Cartridge Dead weight	6.0g
Cartridge Exchange needle	EPS-270SD, EPS-270ED (Elliptical Needle)
Cartridge Mounting Dimensions	JIS Standard 12.7 mm (1/2inch) Mounting Interval
Cartridge Output terminal	1.2 mm φ 4-pin terminal
Power supply voltage	100 VAC, 50Hz/60Hz
Power consumption	4W
External dimensions	Width 453x Height 125x Depth 369 mm
Weight	8.5kg

Design

The SL-1600 uses a B/FG servo DC motor with the AN630 one-chip IC, one of the most integrated bipolar linear ICs of its time, containing 321 elements on a 3x2.7 mm silicon substrate. The tone arm employs a gimbal suspension system with a zinc alloy die-cast base. The motor is an ultra-low-speed brushless DC type, and the cabinet floats the turntable and tone arm on a double insulator system using viscoelastic material and metal springs. The turntable includes a memory repeat function, a prism-type strobe illuminator, anti-skating control, and a viscous oil-damped queuing device. The cartridge shell is solid die-cast aluminum with gold-plated terminals, and the unit uses a low-capacity PU output cord.

Market

The Technics SL-1600 has appeared in the used market at various price points, including listings at $10, $100, and $605.49. Some users report purchasing non-functional units for under $100 and restoring them successfully.