Technics SP-15 User manual

Technics
QuartzSynthesizer
DirectDriveTurntable
SP-15
Operating instructions
The modelnumberofthisproductmaybefound'onthebackoftheunit,
and the serial number,onthe bottom oftheunit.
Please noiethemodelandserialnumbersofthisunitinthe space
providedandretainthisbookletasa permanentrecordofyourpurchase
toaididentificationintheeventof theft
MODEL NUMBER
SERIAL NUMBER

We wanttothankyoufor selecting the SP-15.
For optimumperformance,werecommendthatyoureadtheseinstructionscarefully
Parts identification
Power switch/pitchlockknob
Center spindle(Motorshaft)
Turntable mat
Mainunitfixing screw hole
Mainunitfixing screw hole
Mainunitfixing screw hole
Mainunit
fixing screw hole
GND terminal
Turntable platter
Pitch control button (+)
Clear button
Pitch control button {-)
Start stop button
Dampingmaterial
Fixing screws
Magnet
Speed selectbuttons
"Warning: Topreventfireor shock hazard,

Before use
Caution:
•Never connecttheACpower plug beforeassemblyhasbeen
completed.
•Attachthedustcover last, so that assembly and adjustmentscan
bemademostconveniently.
Checklist ofparts
Turntable unit 1
Turntableplatter1
Turntablemat1
45-rpmadaptor1
Main unit fixingscrew4
Groundwire (GND) 1
Installationdiagram1
Installationofthegroundwire(GND)totheGND
terminal. (See Fig. i.)
Building yourown base orcabinetforthismodel
SP-15 with a largestarting torque of3 kgcm(2.61Ibin)hasthe
superiorfeatureofreachingconstantspeedin0.4second(at33-1/3
rpm.).
For thisreasonwerecommendthatyouusedurableandheavy
material.
The thicknessofthebaseshouldbemorethan3 cm (1 -11/64 inch).
Also usedurableandstableinsulators (tegs).
We recommendthatyoupurchasethe optional turntablebase
Technics SH-15B1 asthecabinet exclusively forthe SP-15. fS«e Fig.
2.)
Assembly andset-up
Caution: Usecarenottodamagethe
cord and bushing when setting up or instating
intoa supporting enclosure.
Assemblingisexplainedbasedontheoptiona
SH-1581 forreferencein cases wherethe unit is
cabinet.
SH-15B1 isprovided with screwholes(4 places) for
1. Install SPr15, with thescrewholesaligned
2. Securely hold at4 placesbythe screws supplied with SH-1581
Fig. 4.)
Fig. 4
AC powercord
Groundwire (<
3. Pulloutthepowercordandgroundwire(GND) from under
turntable base.
4. Afterthe above, installtheturntableplatterandturntablemat.
Drillandcutoutthe base according tothe
installationdiagram
The installationdiagramisdrawnin 1 /1 actual size.
As paperhasa tendencytostretchwesuggest(hatyoucheckthe
diagrambeforeusingitasa template.Alsochockdimensionsfor
printing errors.Checkthetonearm mounting positionforproper
alignment(followthetonearmmanufacturer'sspecifications).
Also makesuretoallowsufficientclearanceforpowerconnectorand
output terminalsofthetonearm.

Connections
Howtooperate
Connect the AC powerplug
Connect the AC powerplugto an AC wallsocket.
Connect theground wire (GND) to "GND" of the amplifieror receiver.
Note:
Be suretoconnectthegroundterminalfirmly totheamplifieror
receiver. Ifthisconnectionisnotmadeorisloose,a powersource
"HUM" willresult.
Placement
Place theunitIna stableandhorizontal position, wherethereis
little ornovibration.
Locate theunitasfarawayfromthe speakers as possible and
isolate theunitfrom sound radiationfromthem.
DonotplacetheunitwhereitIsexposedtodirectsun,dust,
moisture orheat.
Keep Itinawellventilated place.
Whena radioisplacedtoo close totheturntableandIsplayed
whiletheturntableisInoperation,InterferencewithAM recep-
tionmayresult.
1. Setthe Power switch/pitchlockknobtothe "on" position.
(See Fig. 5.)
The revolutionsareindicated at 33(33-1/3 rpm.) ofthe speed
knoband digital speed indicator. (Fig. 6.)
Fig. 6
OUAfTTZ
mieSP-15
n n
u.u
pitch
Uponsettingthepowerswitch/pitchlockknobto"on",thespeedis
changed overto33-1/3 rpm. at all times.
Iftherecordtobeplayedisotherthana 33-1/3rpm.,depressthe
speed select button tosuitthephono disc tobe played.
When thepower switch/pitch lockknob is set to "pitch lock", the pitch
control button andspeedselect button arelockedsoasnottobe
actuated evenifthebuttonsareaccidentallytouchedduringplaying
(See Fig. 7.)
Therefore, forselectingthe speeds oroperatingthepitchcontrol,first
set thepowerswitch/pitchlockknobtotheposition"on".

2. Place a recordontheturntablemat.
Push thestart• stopbutton. (SeeFig. 8.)
The turntableplatterwillbegintorotateand reach Its constantrotation
speed 0.4 sec. (33-1/3rpm.).
Fio. 8
1
•
3. Uponcompletionofplaying, depress thestart• stopbutton.
The turntableisinstantly(0.4second)stoppedbythedoublebrake
system.
4.Afterthat,setthepowerswitch/pitchlockknobto "off". (SeeFig. 9.)
Pitch control(turntable speed fineadjustment).
The Quartz Synthesizer system isbeingemployedforthefirsttimein
theworld.A highdegreeofpitchcontrol accuracy overa widerange
(±9.9%) in0.1 % increments canbe obtainedwiththequartzperfectly
locked.
The pitchcontroliscontinuouslyvariableupto9.9%.
The pitchvariationswhichareclearlyindicatedbytheLEDdigital
indicatorprovideyouwithaccurate and easy selection.
The pitchcontrolcanbeselectedinincrementsof 0.1% whichisbetow
thethresholdofhumanperception.(See Fig. 10.)
The pitchcontrolalsoenablesyoutoaccuratelyandprecisely turn
musical instrumentsbyvaryingthepitchslightly,toobtaina different
musical notefromtherecord.(See Fig. 11.)
For a half-tonechange:
+5.0%(9)
-5.6%(o)
Fig. 11
CS OUAHTZ
rniabieSP-15
i?3rpm +5.S
pitch
Anotherfeatureofthe variable pitchcontrolover a wide range of±99%is
thatit makes singingalongwithamelody easy for a chorus, orforptayng
a recordforaccompanimentonly.(See Fig. 12.)
Fig. 12
OLLOJTTZ
rninWeSP-15
By pressingtheclear button whichislocatedbetweenthe"+"and
pitchbuttons,you can quicklyreturnthe set tonormal playing speed. (!
Fig. 13.)
Fig. 13
S OUARTZ
nl.ibloSP-15

Notesandmaintenance
•Beextremelycarefulabouthandlingtheturntableplatter.
(See Fig.14.)
The magnetisattachedtotheundersideoftheturntableplatter.
For handling, extra care shouldbetakentoprevent adhesion ofdustor
iron filingstothemagnet,andtonotdamagethemagnetbyac-
cidentally dropping it from ahighposition.
Donotremovetheturntableplattermorethan necessary.
Should theturntableplatterberemovedby necessity besuretofirst
disconnect thepowerplug.
Donotremovethe screws ontheundersideoftheturntableplatterand
motor portion,
Should these screws beloosened,theratedperformanceofthe unit
cannotbeguaranteed.
•Wipetheunitwithasoft,drycloth.
Never use any cleaners containing alcohol, benzeneorthlnner.Useof
a chemical dustcloth should also beavoided.
•Lubrication
Apply2or 3 dropsofoilonceafter every 2000 hours of operation. (See
Fig. 15.)
This timeinterval is muchlongerthanthatofconventionaltypemotors
(200—500 hours).
Please purchase Technics originaloil (Part numberis SFWO 010.)
For longerandsaferuse
ofthisunit
Inordertoreceivethebestservice from this unit, andforthe safest
operation,carefully read the following information.
•Power source
It is very dangerous to use thisunitatavoltage which is drfferent
fromtheratedvoltage.
There isdangerofcombustionifthe unit isconnectedloa power
source whichisdifferent from theratedvoltage.
Be very careful concerningthis point.
Directcurrentcannotbe used.
There are some places, such as ships, wheredirectcurrent is used as
thepowersource.Beforeconnectingthe unit, confirmthepower
source.
• Connection ofpower cord
Wet hands are dangerous.
Be sure tonevertouchthepower cord with wet hands because therea
dangerofelectricshock, This istrue,ofcourse,ofalletocftx
equipment.
Donotpullthepower cord.
Never pull thepowercordtodisconnectit. Always pull theplugonly.
• Location ofunit
Choose aplacewhichisnotindirectsunlight.
Select a place whichwill assure good ventilation.
•Never place heatingequipmentnearby.
Be suretokeep stoves andother sources ofheataway from thisunt
because heatradiatedbysuchequipmentmay cause deformationof
plastic partsordamagethe cabinet, or,atworst, cause afire.
• Especially for families wtth children
Take carethatnosmallitems, such asmetalobjects,areput
inside thisunit.
Inaddition,childrenshouldbeespeciallywarnednottoputanythrtg
into theventilation holes, such as toys or a screwdriver because these
thingsmay cause anelectricshockorresultina malfunctionofthe
unit.
Fig. 15
Motor
shaft
rfwater spills ontheunit
Ifwatershouldhappentospillonthe unit, from anoverturned vase for
example, there is dangeroffireor electric shock.Disconnect thepower
plug from theelectric outlet immediately,andcontactthestore from
whichthe unit was purchased.
Reconstruction can cause accidents
Absolutelynevertryto remodel, reconstructorrepairthis unit yoursetf.
Donotattempttotouchanyinternalparts because todosomayresult
inanelectricshockorotheraccident.
•Be sure thepower Is off.
After you have finishedusingthis unit, check once moreto be sure that
thepowerisoff.Ifthe unit is left with thepoweronfora longperiodof
time,itmaynotonlybedamaged,thusshorteningitsusefullife,but
may also lead toadangerousaccident.

Features
•Quartz synthesizer system thatforthefirsttimein
theworldhasmadeit possible to achieve a digital
pitchcontrolof± 9.9%in 0.1 % increments
Inconventionalquartzplayersthequartzreferencewasineffectonly
within strictly limited ranges:wheneververnierspeedchangewas
required,thequartzcircuithadtobeswitchedoff.IntheTechnics
SP-15, we took theleadbylockingthequartz,thusmakingitpossible
toeffecta highdegreeofpitchcontrolaccuracyovera range as wide
as ± 9.9%in 0.1 % increments,whichisbelowthethresholdofhuman
perception.
Moreover,thepitchcontrol,coupled with theclear digital indicator,
enables youtoaccuratelyandpreciselytune with musical
instruments,varypitchslightlyforobtaininga musicalnote from a
recordoraltertonesbya half-note.
•Oversizedturntablethatcutsoffandabsorbs
externalvibrations.
Based on analyses oftheturntablevibrationmodesandvibrationsin
thesoundrange,a specialviscoelasticmaterialisappliedtothe
reverse surface oftheturntableplatterfordeadening.
The deadeningmaterialisappliedtotheundersurfaceandouter
peripheryoftheturntableplatter, with therubberturntablematonthe
surface settled into theturntableplatter. This designissuperiorin
acoustic characteristics even athighsound levels through elimination
ofturntable resonance andabsorptionofexternalvibration.
Moreover,the oversized aluminumdie-castturntableplatter,33.9cm
(13-11 /32") indiameter, is heavy with 2.7 kg (5.9 lb.) of its own weight,
with a momentofinertiaof380kg-cm2(130tb'in2)forlargeheavy
weight class design.
•Vibrationdampingstructurebytheprecision
aluminum die-cast cabinetandTNRC.
The acousticalcharacteristicsoftheplayersystemareinevitably
affectedbytheturntableplatterandcabinetemployed.TheSP-15
adoptsanaluminumdie-castcabinetsuperiorinstrength, with high
processing accuracy, andthenewacousticmaterial TNRC excellent
inacousticalproperties.Through cutting-off andabsorptionof
external vibrations,the unit isdesignedforimprovedacoustic
characteristics, with susceptibilitytofeedbackminimized.
• Electronic circuits ofmorethan 3,000 discrete
elementsconcentratedinto4 ICs «
The 4kindsof IC, i.e., Synthesizer pitchcontrol CMOS LSI (MN 6042),
Frequency dividingICemployingl2L,ECL(ON860),phasespeed
controlIC(AN660)andDrivingIC(AN640) into whichhighdensity
electroniccircuitsofmorethan3,000discreteelementshavebeen
compressed havemadeitpossibletoproducethishighprecision
quartzturntable.
•QuartzControlledRotation Accuracy
The SP-15 utilizestheoscillationofa quartzcrystalasa reference
signal orsource. This oscillationisnotaffectedbytemperature
change orpowerfluctuations.Bysynchronizingthe rotation ofthe
turntableplatteraccuratelytothereferencesignal,speed drift ofthe
unit isheld within ± 0.002%.
• Technics1 uniquemotor construction Inwhichthe
rotorofthemotor is integrallyformedwiththe
turntable
•Hightorquemotorof3 kg-cmwithstartingtimeof
0.4 second iscapableofinstant speed change-over
(at33-1/3rpm.).
• With thedoublebrakingsystemoftheelectronic
brakeandmechanicalbrake,theturntablestops
instantly(0.4second)upondepressionofthe
start• stopbutton(at33-1/3rpm.)
•Highperformancewithwowand flutter ofonly
0.025%(JISC5521)andrumbleof-78dB
(IEC 98AWeighted).
•Pitchlock mechanism capableoflockingthespeed
selection andpitchcontroloperation
Malfunctioncausedbyaccidentaltouchingoftheoperatng porton
duringplaying,canbeprevented.•
•Highlyefficientpulsepowersupplycircuitis
employedfortheDCpower source
Since DCvoltageisobtainedbyoscillatinghighfrequency(20 ifrtr
through directrectificationofACpowersupplyforvoltagearotnoi
atthepulsetransformer,thereisno leakage ofthecommoraai pew
source frequency.
•Stableandpositivemechanismthatcanstand
frequentcommercial use, etc. anda switchsection
withpoint contacts.
3 speedsof33-1/3,45and78.26rpm.areemployed,takmg r*:
accountcommercialandbroadcastuse.
Specifications
General
Power supply: 120 V. 50or60Hz
Power consumption: 11 w
Dimensions: 34.9x9.3x37.2 cm
(Wx H x D) (13-3/4x3-21/32x14-41/64 inches)
Weight:6.2kg (13.7 lb)
Turntablesection
Type:
Drivemethod:
Motor:
Drivecontrolmethod:
Turntableplatter:
Moment ofinertia:
Turntable speeds:
Turntablespeed
fineadjustment:
Startingtorque:
Build-up time:
Braking time:
Braking system:
Speed fluctuationdue
toloadtorque:
Speed drift:
Wowand flutter:
Rumble:
Weightanddimensionsshownareapproximate.
Specifications subjecttochange without notice.
Quartz synthesizer pitchcontrol,
Directdrive
DirectDrive
Brushless DC motor
Quartz-phase-locked control
Aluminum die-cast, diameter33.9cm
(13-11/32 inches) weight2.7kg(5.9lb)
380 kg-cm*(130lb.in2)
33-1/3.45 and78.26rpm
Adjustableupto± 9.9%in 0.1 %
incrementsby digital indication
3 kgcm (2.61 Ibin)
0.4 sec. to 33-1/3 rpm
0.4 sec from 33-1/3rpm
Electrical andMechanicalbraking
0% within 2.5 kg. cm(2.2lbin)
Within±0.002%
0.025% WRMS (JIS C5521)
± 0.035% peak (IEC 98*Weighted)
-56 dB (IEC 98AUnweighted)
-78 dB (IEC 98AWeighted)

SUGGESTIONS FOR SAFETY
Before usingthisunit,be sure toreadapplicable
items oftheoperatinginstructionsandthesesafety
suggestions carefully;andafterwardskeepthem
handy forfuturereference.Take special careto
followthewarningsindicatedontheunitItselfas
wellasIntheoperatingInstructions.
1.Avoid places wherethereiswaterorhumidity.
Donotusethisunitneara bathtub,washbasin,
swimmingpool,orthelike.Dampbasementsshould
also beavoided.
2.Don'tallowwateroranyforeignobjecttoget
inside thisunit.
Don'tplacesmallmetalobjectsoranythingcontaining
liquid onorneartheunit.
3.Avoidplacementoftheunitwhereitwillbe
exposed tothedirect rays ofthe sun, orwhere
ventilationisinadequate.
Don'tplacethisunitina bookcaseorbetween
cabinets, unlessproperventilationisprovided,or
where curtainsorfurnituremayobstructtheventilation
holes.
8. Check thevoltageratingofthisunitbefore
connecting theunittoa power source.
Be suretoconnecttheunitonlytothetypeofpower
source indicatedintheoperatinginstructions,oras
Indicatedontheunititself. t
9.Careofthepowercordandplug
#
Take carethatthecordisnotbentsharply(especially
near itsconnectiontotheunitorneartheplug),that
nothingisplacedonIt,andthatitisnotpinched,
crushed orfrayed.Nevertakeholdoftheplugorcordif
yourhandiswet,and always besuretograsptheplug
bodywhenconnectingordisconnectingit.
10.Iftheunitwillnotbe used foranextended
periodoftime:
Be suretodisconnectthepowercordfromthewall
outlet.
4. Place thisunitawayfromheat-emitting
appliances.
Never placethisunitonorneara radiator,heat
register,stove,oranyotherheat-emittingequipment.
(IncludingAmplifiers).
5.Placement
Place theunitona stable,vibration-free,levelshelfor
stand.
6.Useofa cartorstand
When decidingona cartorstand,besuretouseonly
withthecartorstandrecommendedbythemanufac-
turer.
7.Wallor ceiling installation.
Iftheunitistobemountedonawallor ceiling, besureto
dosoonlyasrecommendedbythemanufacturer.
11.Maintenance
Refer totheoperatingInstructionsfordetails.
12.Neverattemptrepairsyourself:
(a) Ifthepowercordorplugisdamaged.
(b) Ifa foreignobject has fallenor liquid has spilled into
it.
(c) Iftheunitis exposed torain.
(d) Iftheunitdoesnotfunctionnormally,orIfoperation
shows a distinctchangeinperformance.
(e) Iftheunithasbeendroppedandthecabinetor
chassis aredamaged...etc.
Unplugthepowercordandhaveitcheckedbya
qualifiedtechnician(orthedealerfromwhomtheunii
was purchasedorthenearest service center).
13.Repairs
Except foradjustmentsexplainedIntheoperating
Instructions, donotattemptanyrepairsyourself.Be
sure torequestservicefroma qualifiedtechnician(or
yourdealerornearest service center).