Technics SL-DL1 User manual

Ak ‘Technics
Direct Drive Automatic
Turntable System
oL-DL1
Operating Instructions
"This apparatus was produced to “BS800: 1977”
Before operating this product, please read these instructions completely.

We want to thank you for selecting the SL-DL1.
For optimum performance, we recommend that you read these instructions carefully.
Caution for safe use
of this apparatus
(For UNITED KINGDOM)
Caution
e This apparatus is double insulated, safety earth not required.
Important
« The wires in this mains tead are coloured in accordance with
the following code:
Biue:
Brown:
Neutral
Live
As the colours of the wires in the mains lead of this apparatus
may not correspond with the coloured markings identifying
the terminals in your plug, proceed as follows.
The wire which is coloured BLUE must be connected to the
terminal which is marked with the letter N or coloured
BLACK. The wire which is ccloured BROWN must be con-
nected to the terminal which is marked with the letter L or
coloured RED.
This equipment should be disconnected from the mains
when not in use.
Before use
This unit is shipped with packing material and spacers
attached to protect it during transport. Some parts are
not mounted on the unit and are packed separately.
Please read these instructions carefully before use.
M@ Removing the packing material
1. Pull off the tonearm protection spacer. (Fig. 1)
Be careful not to touch the stylus.
2. Remove tape on side of cartridge. (This prevents the
stylus assembly from shaking loose during shipment.)
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@ Installation of turntable platter
1. Place the turntable platter on the center spindle. (Fig. 2)
Put your fingers through the two holes in the platter,
and line them up with the two recesses underneath.
Follow the reverse procedure if itis necessary to remove
the platter.
Note:
The rotor is connected to the underside of the turntable
platter. (The magnet of the motor is attached to the turn-
table platter.) To maintain optimum performance, extra
care should be taken to prevent adhesion of dust or iron
filings to the magnet and not to damage the magnet by
dropping it.
Do not remove or loosen the screws. Should the position
of the fixed magnet be altered by loosening the securing
screws, the rated performance of the unit cannot be guar-
anteed. (Fig. 3)
2. Place the turntable mat on the platter, (Fig. 4)
Line up the protrusions in the turntable mat with the
recesses in the platter {at two places, as shown).
Connections
M@ Connect the output terminals (Fig. 5)
Output terminals Amplifier or Receiver
L (White) > EI Chanre!
R (Red) ——-———> EEE Channe!
GND (Spade tug) ——$_-» Fe}
Note:
Always connect the ground cord to the GND terminal on
your amp or receiver to prevent hum.
M Connect the AC power plug
Connect the AC power plug to an AC wall socket.
Caution:
Make sure that the turntable’s AC line-voltage selector is
matched to your local voltage before connecting the AC
power plug. (Fig. 5)
Never connect to a DC socket. |
If the pre-selected voltage is different from your local -
voltage, turn the AC tine-voltage selector with a screw-
driver so that it corresponds to your local voltage.
The AC line-voltage selector is located at the.bottom of
the base.
Placement
@ Place the unitina stable and horizontal position where there
is little or no vibration.
@ Place the unit away from the speakers so that it will be
subject to as little direct sound radiation as possible.
B Do not use or store this unit where it will be exposed to dust,
dirt, high humidity or high temperature. Do not place it near
heaters.
B Place itin a well ventilated location.
@ Do not use under direct sunlight, spotlights, or other ex-
tremely bright light sources.
Bright lights may cause misopeération of the optical sensor
system and therefore interference with automatic operation.
This also applies to flashlights or infrared remote control
units brought very close to the turntable.
@ Do not place it near or on top of a power amplifier, since
power amps radiate much heat.
@ Piace the turntable away from the power amp to prevent
hum.
Hum may be caused by leakage flux from the transformer in
the power amplifier (or integrated amp). Therefore, if you
notice hum, try moving the turntable to a slightly different
location, further away from the amp.
®@ if you try to listen to a radio near the turntable while it is
turning, you may hear some interference.

disc size
Tonearm
protection spacer
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securing
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SELECT
LINE VOLTAGE
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Stylus-pressure
adjustment screw

Parts identification
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(Keep page 1 folded out while reading this page.)
@ Upper cabinet (Dust cover)
(Contains tonearm drive mechanism.)
Must be closed during play.
@ Strobe-illuminator/Pilot lamp
© Power switch:
When the power switch fis turned on (™), the 33 speed
selector lights up along with the tonearm position indicator
and strobe Wluminator/pilot lamp.
© Speed selector:
Although the 33 speed selector LED lights up automatically
when the power is turned on, there is no need to manually
select speed or record size. As long as the disc size selec-
tor is at the auto position, standard size LPs (25 cm and 30
cm diameter) will be played at 33-1/3 rom and EPs (17 cm
diameter) will be played at 45 rpm. Speed must be manually
selected if the record speed does not’ correspond to the
record size as described above. To manually select the
speed, depress the correct speed selector with the power on
and the upper cabinet closed, This automatically cancels the
disc size detector. The detector is reactivated when the
upper cabinet is opened. Speed can not be selected manually
while the upper cabinet is open.
5 | Pitch control
@ Record groove scale:
This scale is graduated in 1 mm indications.
Useful for judging tonearm position.
@ Tonearm position indicator LED:
When the power switch is turned on, the tonearm LED will
light up. LED position corresponds to stylus position on
the record surface.
© Cartridge
© Stop switch:
For stop play (auto-return) and fast and slow outward cueing.
When you press the stop switch (for less than one second),
an LED (>) lights up momentarily and the tonearm auto-
matically returns to the start position. (aurto-return)
If you keep the switch depressed (for more than one second},
tne tonearm will move outward (p») toward the edge of the
record, Press harder and the tonearm will move faster ( > pb ).
lf you press the cueing control to raise the tonearm, and then
press the stop switch intermittently, the arm will move out-
ward in approximately 1mm steps.
@ Start switch:
For beginning play (auto-start, auto-lead-in) and fast and
slow inward cueing.
When you press the start switch, an LED (4) lights up
momentarily and the tonearm automatically moves to the
record’s lead-in groove and the record starts playing. (auto-
Start, auto-lead-in)
If this switch is pressed during play, the tonearm will return
to the start position and begin playing it over again.
If you keep the switch depressed, the tonearm moves inward
(4@)} toward the center of the record. Press harder and the
tonearm will move faster ( 44).
The tonearm will not move when you press the start switch if
there is no record on the platter (as long as the disc size
selector is at the [ZMEE position).
@ Cueing control:
Interrupting play
Pressing the cueing control during play causes the tonearm
to rise off the record, To resume play, press the control again.
A muting circuit Cuts out noise when the stylus initially
contacts or leaves the record surface.
@® Repeat switch:
For repeat play
When you press the repeat switch, an LED lights up and the
record is played repeatedly from beginning to end.
When you want to stop this cycle, merely press the repeat
switch again.
Pressing the stop switch will cause the tonearm to rise and
return to the start position; it will also stop repeat operation.
(&) Optical sensor:
This detects light coming through the guide slits in the
platter and thereby detects the size of the record being
played. It also detects whether there is a record on the
platter or not.
@ Disc size selector:
This is normally set to the position unless special
(transparent or colored) records are to be played.
(See “How to operate” section for details.)
Reset switch:
This switch automatically returns the tonearm to the start
position if the upper cabinet is opened during piay. There-
fore, this switch is not meant to be operated by hand.
} Turntable mat:
Do not use any turntable mat except the one supplied.
@® Turntable platter
@) Arm lock:
Be sure this lock is released before play.
@® Stylus-pressure adjustment screw
@ Light guide slits:
Infrared light passing through these slits is used for opto-
electronic detection of record size (30, 25,17 cm or 12", 10”
Tage
@ Center spindle
() Lower cabinet:
(Contains the turntable drive circuitry.)
The lower cabinet may feel warm during operation, but this
has no adverse effect on records or cartridge.

Operation
@ Auto-play
(Basic procedure)
Open the upper cabinet gently.
Place a record on the turntable mat. (Fig. 6)
Close the cabinet gently.
Note:
The turntable will not rotate even if the start switch is pressed
without closing the cabinet.
Do not press controls until upper cabinet is closed.
. Press the power switch to the on (=) position. (Fig. 7)
The 33 speed selector LED lights up, as do the tonearm posi-
tion indicator and strobe illuminator/pilot lamp.
Press the start switch. (Fig. 8}
Note:
Wait about two seconds after you turn on the unit before
pressing the start switch.
This assures dependable and accurate operation.
The optical sensor will detect the record size and determine
record speed. According to size and speed, the tonearm will
automatically move to the lead-in groove and play will begin.
(Auto lead-in, auto-start.)
When, and only when, the tonearm is at the start position and
the record is 30 cm, pressing the cueing contro! will cause
automatic operation to begin (in the same way as if the start
switch is pressed).
When there is no record on the turntable mat, the platter
will rotate several times but tonearm wil! not move.
At the end of the record the tonearm rises and automatically
returns to the start position.
{Auto-return) .
After the tonearm returns to the start position, press the
power Switch to turn off the unit (#).
Note:
If you press the start switch for less than one second while a
record is being played, the tonearm returns to the lead-in
groove and begins playing the record again, The LED above
the repeat switch flashes on and off to indicate that
this is happening.
If the cabinet is opened during play, the tonearm returns to
the start position.
If the power switch is turned off during play, the tonearm
rises above the record and stays at that position.
Then when the power is turned on again, the tonearm will
return to the start position.
@ Selective play
(Multi-function operation)
@ For normal and fast inward cueing
e The tonearm will Keep moving inward as long as you keep
the start switch depressed (for longer than 1 second).
répeal
cl z hal
— :
e If you press the start switch harder, the tonearm will move
inward faster.
e lf you press the start switch intermittently, the tonearm will
move inward in small steps.
When you release the start switch, the tonearm will stop at
the position it has reached.
Press the cueing control again to lower the tonearm back
onto the record and begin play.
Refer to the Quick Reference Chart on page 12 for more
about start and stop operation.
Note:
A safety feature of this unit ts that the tonearm can only
be cued between the lead-in and lead-out grooves. There-
fore, you cannot cue the tonearm all the way back to the start
position at the edge of the platter in the case of 17 cm (7")
and 25 cm (10") records. Instead, press the cueing control
once again to lower the tonearm onto the record, then press
the stop switch.

@
For
normal
and
fast
outward
cueing
@
For
repeat
play
¢
The
tonearm
moves
outward
(towards
the
edge
of
the
e
Press
the
repeat
switch
and
the
repeat
indicator
LED
will
record)
as
long
as
you
keep
pressing
the
stop
switch
(for
turn
on
to
indicate
that
the
record
will
be
played
again.
longer than 1 second).
eas
A
repeat ‘. cueing ae) Start | siop cm
rom) ys Rip
repeat cueing aa start slop ce
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|
e
To
stop
the
repeat
cycle,
press
the
repéat
switch
again.
e
If
you
press
the
stop
switch
harder,
the
tonearm
will
move
«
Pressing
the
stop
switch
or
power
switch
will
also
stop
outward
faster.
:
repeat
operation.
ly ¥| cueing control
NY
@
For
raising
or
lowering
the
tonearm
during
play
repeat
cueing
as
slat
stop
me
e
When
you
press
the
cueing
control,
the
tonearm
rises
up
=
zt
from
the
record
surface.
¢ Press the cueing control again to lower the tonearm onto
the record surface and begin play again.
e If you press the stop switch intermittently, the tonearm will
move outward in small steps.
The tonearm will stop at the position it has reached when
you release the stop switch.
When you press the cueing control again, the tonearm will be
lowered onto the record and play will begin.
@ For auto-return or reject during play
sax) Start slop foe
e If you press the stop switch during play (without first ree cueing
pressing the cueing control}, the tonearm wif! rise and return —_—
to the start position and the platter will stop rotating.
« Auto-return (reject) operation will not take place if the stop
switch is depressed while the tonearm is raised above the
record surface,
repeat cueing a4) Start slop po

@ For playing a 45-rpm record with a large center
hole
Place the 45-rpm adaptor on the center spindle*
Record size and speed are selected automatically, so opera-
tion is the same as usual.
@ For playing non-standard records
e In cases playing transparent or colored records (meaning
any record which does not completely block light: red,
green, blue, yellow, thin black, etc.)
—Set the dise size selector to the appropriate setting for the
record to be played.
(Record speed will be detected automatically.)
Pes fy ah
e For wide diameter 45 rpm records and small diameter 33-1/3
rpm records
—Press the correct speed selector after closing the upper
cabinet.
(Record size will be detected automatically.}
Replacement of stylus
This unit is equipped with a diamond stylus.
The replacement stylus for this cartridge is EPS-23CS.
The life of the stylus varies according to the conditions of use.
Noise or scratchiness may indicate a worn or damaged stylus.
To prevent damage to your records, the stylus should be
replaced at the first sign of wear.
Therefore, follow the instructions below.
Note:
Be sure you have the amp volume knob turned down all the
way to avoid amplification of shock noise produced when
handling the stylus.
1. Open the cabinet gently.
2. Turn the arm lock in the direction of the arrow to lock the
tonearm. (Fig. 10) :
3. Remove the old stylus and push in the new stylus assembly
(Fig, 11), being careful not to touch the stylus tip. Be sure
the assembly is pushed in ali the way.
4. Turn the arm lock back to its original position.
Replacement of
cartridge
Although this unit comes equipped with a high performance
MM cartridge as standard equipment, it is also possible to use
any other kind of plug-in connector type hi-fi cartridge.
Read the instructions that came with the new cartridge.
1. Open the cabinet gently. .
2. Turn the arm lock in the direction of the arrow to lock the
tonearm. (Fig. 10)
3. Use the screwdriver to loosen the cartridge mounting screw.
(As shown in the illustration, loosen the screw until it hangs
free.) (Fig. 12)
4. Remove the cartridge.
Being careful not to touch the stylus tip, line up the new
cartridge’s Connector pins with the tonearm connector and
insert firmly into place. (Fig. 13)
Tighten the cartridge mounting screw.
6. Turn the arm lock back to its original position.
a

Notes and maintenance
M Auto-return operation will not function if you press the
power switch while a record is being played.
The tonearm will rise above the record surface but étay
where it is.
Therefore, if you then press the switchagain to turniton, the
tonearm will go back to the start position,
Be sure to remove all dirt and dust from the stylus tip and the
record.
The cartridge stylus is an extremely delicate and precisely
manufactured device designed for picking up the subtle
nuances of the record grooves. Therefore, be very careful
not to touch it, push on it, or apply excessive force in any
way.
The stylus tip cannot retain proper groove contact when it
is dirty. This causes bad sound reproduction and excess
wear on the stylus tip and grooves. Therefore, use the
brush to remove dust and dirt by brushing upward.(Fig.14)
Also, use a good record cleaner to remove dust and dirt
from the grooves.
Wipe the cabinet with a soft, dry cloth.
Never use volatile cleaners such as alcohol, benzine or
thinner,
Do not use chemically treated dust cloths. Do not expose the
panel to insecticide spray.
To remove stubborn spots, first puil out the AC plug.
Then wipe the cabinet with a soft cloth slightly moistened
with a mild soap and water solution.
Do not wipe the upper cabinet during play, or the tonearm
may be attracted toward the upper cabinet due to the gene-
ration of static electricity.
Open the upper cabinet gently.
Upper cabinet open/close movement has been factory
adjusted.
However, if movement is not smooth, turn the upper
cabinet adjustment screw (on the underside of the lower
cabinet) one way or the other, as necessary. (Fig. 15)
Always close the upper cabinet completely.
lf the upper cabinet is not completely closed, the stylus
cannot contact the grooves properly and the turntable will
not operate correctly.
Check again before starting play.
Adjust the stylus pressure in the following cases.
Stylus pressure is normatly set to 1.25 g but may be raised
or lowered by £0.25 g.
It may de necessary to increase stylus pressure when play-
ing records cut at high levels, or when room temperature
is low, or when the unit easily picks up external vibrations.
This will help prevent distortion and groove-skipping.
In such cases, turn the screw clockwise (+) so the dial scale
shows the desired stylus pressure, as indicated in the
Nlustration. (Fig. 16)
Note:
Do not turn the stylus-pressure adjustment screw further
than the set limits (1.5 g ~1.0 g).
@ Playing special records. .
Use the “search” function for playing the following types of
records. Such records may interfere with correct automatic
operation. This is not a malfunction of the turntable.
* Non-standard size records [standard sizes (ElA, IEC, DIN,
JIS) are 17, 25 and 30 cm]. .
* Transparent or colored records,
* Eccentric records (having off-center holes).
* Badly warped records.
Speed adjustment (Pitch control)
There are strobe-lines cut on the underside of this turntable
platter to indicate correct rotational speed.
If the strobe-line appears to be moving as the turntable
rotates, adjust while playing a record.
Note:
Be sure to place a record on the turntable mat. If no record is
on the mat, the unit will stop rotating after only a few turns.
1. Press the speed selector of the speed to be adjusted.
_ The pitch control works for both 33-1/3 and 45 rpm; use
the control! to adjust rotational speed at both settings.
2. Slowly turn the pitch control in the (+) or (-) direction
until the strobe-line appears to be standing still.
Correct rotational speed is for the speed indicated when
the strobe-line appears to be standing still,
45rpm
33-1/3rpm 5OH2
45rpm
7-33-1/3rpm 80Hz
In the U.S.A. and CANADA use 60Hz lines.
The 5GHz lines are for European countries.
Note:
Strobe dot pattern
This unit's strobe illuminator operates at the AC line
frequency which generally has a 0.2% fluctuation.
This fluctuation, when present, may make the strobe
pattern appear to change. However, actual turntable
speed does not change, because the DC motor is not
affected by AC power line frequency.

Troubleshooting guide
B Unit does not turn on when
power switch is pressed
(no power).
Tonearm position indicator
and strobe ilbuminator/pilot
lamp do not light up.
@ Power switch is turned on
but there is no sound
(during record play).
H@ Auto-play does not begin
when start switch is
pressed.
ePower cord not plugged in.
e The amp is not turned on.
(This applies when the unit is plugged
into amp's “switched” AC outiet.)
e Speaker cords are disconnected.
e Phono output cords are disconnected from
amp’s phono input jacks.
eAmp’s tape monitor switch is set to “tape”
position.
e Amp’s input source selector is set to
“tuner” or “aux”.
e Amp's speaker selector is at “off” position.
¢Amp’'s volume is turned all the way down,
e The tonearm is locked.
e The record is transparent.
eCheck all connections.
e Turn on amp.
¢ Connect speaker cables. Check correct
polarity (+ and —).
e Connect phono output cords. Check
correct L and R connections.
e Set to “source” when not playing tapes.
eSet to “phono”.
® Set to “main” or “remote”.
eTurn up volume.
eUnjock the tonearm.
e Set the disc size selector to the size of
the record to be played.
@ There is a hum.
B Stylus skips grooves.
@ Record sounds scratchy
and/or muffled.
@ During auto-play, the stylus
does not drop into the lead-
in grooves.
BM Tonearm does not auto-
matically return to the
start position at the end
of record.
@ Auto-return occurs
during record play.
e Ground ts not connected.
e The turntable is too close to the amplifier.
e Record is warped.
eTurntable is placed where it easily picks
up vibrations.
e Dust or dirt is on the stylus tip.
eRecord is scratched or damaged.
e Record is dusty or dirty.
e Stylus tip is dusty.
e Stylus tip is worn.
e The record diameter does not conform to
industry standards.
«Record does not conform to industry
standard dimensions.
eA voltage drop in the AC mains supply
due to lightning or other damage. This is
not an indication of damage to the turntable.
e Connect to amp’s GND terminal.
eTry reversing the AC power plug in the
wall socket.
e Place the turntable further away from the
power amp (or integrated amp}.
e Check for warps and try another record.
«Set the turntable in a position where it will
be less susceptible to external vibrations.
eSet the stylus pressure to 1.5 g.
«Clean stylus tip with accessory brush.
e Adjust amp's tone controls to cut out
high-frequency noise.
e Use a record cleaner to remove dust and
dirt from grooves.
eUse the brush to clean stylus tip.
eif there is still noise when a good new
record is played, you should replace the
cartridge or stylus.
e Follow selective play.
e Press the stop switch.
e This is the same as normal auto-return, so
press the start switch to begin record
play again.