Hey folks, as I noted in my introduction I picked up an SL-Q5 recently. The exterior is a little grimy, but all of the functions work, including the queueing, but I’m have a few issues and I think I’m out of my depth (though I’m willing to learn).
Apologies in advance if any terminologies or concepts are flat out wrong:
1) The AV inputs, specifically L, is a little finicky. It seems to need verrrrrry specific placement and weight/pressure otherwise it cuts out of that channel entirely. Not a dealbreaker, but something I’m keeping an eye on — tested on both the original cables and heavier duty replacements.
2) Upon hitting play the tonearm occasionally sets itself on the outside of the record and gets stuck running along the edge, and doesn’t seem to know what to do from there. This is inconsistent and only happens, I’d say, 2 out of 7 times. I’m assuming this has something to do with starting placement?
3) Some records are playing with distortion/slowdown, but most are fine. At least one seems to be due to a subtle warp, but one (formerly owned) album played fine originally on one side but not on the other and now plays a bit off on both, but most curiously I tried an absolutely fresh album that seems quite a bit ‘heftier’ than the others. It’s noticeably thicker, but in perfect condition. It seems to also distort.
I have to imagine this is either a stylus pressure issue or a flutter issue — but I’m so new that I wouldn’t know how to deduce either.
4) I’ve noticed while the queuing does work, it has noticeable impedance in the early phases while holding the < start button. Watching it closely, the first couple sections of the groove scale are much slower than the last 3/4, and at a few points the arm seems to pause then continue. It does also exhibit this behaviour, though perhaps to a slightly lesser degree, using the stop > button.
5) And last, and probably least, I’d love to get her cleaned up down the line. Touch up the paint or at least diminish some of the light discoloration, polish up the cover as best I can, etc etc. Any particular techniques I should be aware of?
Thanks in advance for any guidance on these issues! And I can absolutely grab some photos/video if needed.
Apologies in advance if any terminologies or concepts are flat out wrong:
1) The AV inputs, specifically L, is a little finicky. It seems to need verrrrrry specific placement and weight/pressure otherwise it cuts out of that channel entirely. Not a dealbreaker, but something I’m keeping an eye on — tested on both the original cables and heavier duty replacements.
2) Upon hitting play the tonearm occasionally sets itself on the outside of the record and gets stuck running along the edge, and doesn’t seem to know what to do from there. This is inconsistent and only happens, I’d say, 2 out of 7 times. I’m assuming this has something to do with starting placement?
3) Some records are playing with distortion/slowdown, but most are fine. At least one seems to be due to a subtle warp, but one (formerly owned) album played fine originally on one side but not on the other and now plays a bit off on both, but most curiously I tried an absolutely fresh album that seems quite a bit ‘heftier’ than the others. It’s noticeably thicker, but in perfect condition. It seems to also distort.
I have to imagine this is either a stylus pressure issue or a flutter issue — but I’m so new that I wouldn’t know how to deduce either.
4) I’ve noticed while the queuing does work, it has noticeable impedance in the early phases while holding the < start button. Watching it closely, the first couple sections of the groove scale are much slower than the last 3/4, and at a few points the arm seems to pause then continue. It does also exhibit this behaviour, though perhaps to a slightly lesser degree, using the stop > button.
5) And last, and probably least, I’d love to get her cleaned up down the line. Touch up the paint or at least diminish some of the light discoloration, polish up the cover as best I can, etc etc. Any particular techniques I should be aware of?
Thanks in advance for any guidance on these issues! And I can absolutely grab some photos/video if needed.
Re Technics SL-Q5 linear tracking quartz lock turntable system:
The first thing to do is get hold of the service manual.
And this thread may be helpful: https://www.diyaudio.com/community/...hnics-sl-q5-linear-tracking-turntable.413402/
EDIT: The above thread has the service manual attached.
The first thing to do is get hold of the service manual.
And this thread may be helpful: https://www.diyaudio.com/community/...hnics-sl-q5-linear-tracking-turntable.413402/
EDIT: The above thread has the service manual attached.
Last edited:
Hi again. Yes please read that thread including downloading and reading the service manuals it has attached.
In my experience with multiple Technics linear trackers, doing a tonearm belt replacement, and then a clean + lube of the plastic gears and the guide rod will get you to a great baseline. After that you can work on adjustments.
That’s my advice after working on three SL-7’s, an SL-5 and an SL-Q15.
In my experience with multiple Technics linear trackers, doing a tonearm belt replacement, and then a clean + lube of the plastic gears and the guide rod will get you to a great baseline. After that you can work on adjustments.
That’s my advice after working on three SL-7’s, an SL-5 and an SL-Q15.
As to pt. 4.
This is how it´s supposed to work. Giving you a chance to only move a few millimeters.
If you don´t release the button, then after a few sec´s, it will move faster.
Imagine the hazzle if 1: You wanted to move 10 sec. of music, and it was moving fast..... or
2: You only wanted to play track 5, and it was only moving slowly.
This is how it´s supposed to work. Giving you a chance to only move a few millimeters.
If you don´t release the button, then after a few sec´s, it will move faster.
Imagine the hazzle if 1: You wanted to move 10 sec. of music, and it was moving fast..... or
2: You only wanted to play track 5, and it was only moving slowly.
Thanks guys I’m in the process of familiarizing myself with the manual as we speak, which I think might be leading me to a solution for the tone arm starting point.
For 3 I’m first testing a theory: There’s a pop up 45 adapter in the center of the platter — I was under the impression that because it had the ability to compress, that the pressure from the record was what kept it down during playback. Turns out it is a push and twist to unlock and pop up, push and twist to lock back in place mechanism. I think it’s responsible for a lot of the distortion. That thicker record will mentioned is playing just fine now!
So chalk #3 one up to me just being unfamiliar with this kind of mechanism! One down
For 3 I’m first testing a theory: There’s a pop up 45 adapter in the center of the platter — I was under the impression that because it had the ability to compress, that the pressure from the record was what kept it down during playback. Turns out it is a push and twist to unlock and pop up, push and twist to lock back in place mechanism. I think it’s responsible for a lot of the distortion. That thicker record will mentioned is playing just fine now!
So chalk #3 one up to me just being unfamiliar with this kind of mechanism! One down
Ah perfect! So it’s not a gum up, it’s just a gradually ramp up as a preventative state. If that’s the case then I’d say #4 is crossed off as well, thank you!
Adding to Boydk regarding the buttons - on one of my tables, I also experienced that the <Start and Stop> buttons needed to be pressed and released many times to get them working consistently. Pretty sure they had a bit of oxidation and they are not able to be cleaned/Deoxit easily.
Coming back to this one, huge improvement since I fixed what was now an obvious example of the record being misbalanced in the center — a lot of the poorly performing records are doing much better.
But I think issue 3 remains an issue as I’m still getting slowdown/iffy timing! So I think figuring out the center adapter was more of a clarifying discovery than a fix.
As jordheis noted, it seems like the general consensus for linear trackers is to replace the belt/clean up and re-grease the necessary internals. I’ll get to work on that shortly, and then maybe try one of those timing apps to see how she’s spinning
My start button is ever so slightly dented, but I think that’s just cosmetic, as for what’s going on underneath? Time will tell!
Minor updates:
#3 Is a work in progress, I noticed my platter mat, due to the aforementioned twist and pull 45 adapter, has a bit of a hump in the middle. The previous owner must have had it sitting improperly for a long period of time. So it’s currently squashed between flat surfaces to flatten it out a bit. The recommended tools for the job were slabs or tiles, but I worked with what I had.
I’ve also ordered a ground wire for the system, just to take care of any background interference as I’ve read these were prone to ‘hum’. Could have makeshifted my own but I wanted the more secure connector!
I’m not going to mess around with checking the platter speed or tracking force until I work on the tonearm belt and clean up/relube the gears/rod.
#4 On that note, I haven’t opened the Q5 up yet, but I’ve preemptively ordered a new tonearm belt because based on the fact that I can see visible gunk coming out of the chamber beneath the cover, this has likely never been given proper maintenance. This is going to take a week or two to get to me, so in the meantime I’ll try and get a good grease/lube for mechanisms inside.
Also, I watched a video of a fella trying to get his second hand Q5 working and noticed that once it was optimized and working properly his groove scale speed from one section to the next seemed way more effective than my own — so I think there is something going on beneath the hood and it likely does need a bit of a cleanup!
#5 I managed to clean up a lot of the exterior with some good ol’ water and elbow grease — but certain areas still have a sort of ‘smudged’ discolouration. It seems like it might be fingerprint oil or some such thing. Still trying to work out if it’s possible to clean this up without deteriorating the exterior paint and a bit reluctant to experiment. Any suggestions?
And actually, does anyone know the best way to polish up the aluminum platter as well? It’s pretty dull and the edges are scuffed. I searched for some methods but mainly found people arguing about the various levels or deterioration people’s cleaning methods were subjecting their platters to, haha!
I’ve also ordered some PlastX to get the scratched up dust cover in better shape, I’ve seen some pretty remarkable results online with that product. It’ll be here on Monday along with the ground wire.
#3 Is a work in progress, I noticed my platter mat, due to the aforementioned twist and pull 45 adapter, has a bit of a hump in the middle. The previous owner must have had it sitting improperly for a long period of time. So it’s currently squashed between flat surfaces to flatten it out a bit. The recommended tools for the job were slabs or tiles, but I worked with what I had.
I’ve also ordered a ground wire for the system, just to take care of any background interference as I’ve read these were prone to ‘hum’. Could have makeshifted my own but I wanted the more secure connector!
I’m not going to mess around with checking the platter speed or tracking force until I work on the tonearm belt and clean up/relube the gears/rod.
#4 On that note, I haven’t opened the Q5 up yet, but I’ve preemptively ordered a new tonearm belt because based on the fact that I can see visible gunk coming out of the chamber beneath the cover, this has likely never been given proper maintenance. This is going to take a week or two to get to me, so in the meantime I’ll try and get a good grease/lube for mechanisms inside.
Also, I watched a video of a fella trying to get his second hand Q5 working and noticed that once it was optimized and working properly his groove scale speed from one section to the next seemed way more effective than my own — so I think there is something going on beneath the hood and it likely does need a bit of a cleanup!
#5 I managed to clean up a lot of the exterior with some good ol’ water and elbow grease — but certain areas still have a sort of ‘smudged’ discolouration. It seems like it might be fingerprint oil or some such thing. Still trying to work out if it’s possible to clean this up without deteriorating the exterior paint and a bit reluctant to experiment. Any suggestions?
And actually, does anyone know the best way to polish up the aluminum platter as well? It’s pretty dull and the edges are scuffed. I searched for some methods but mainly found people arguing about the various levels or deterioration people’s cleaning methods were subjecting their platters to, haha!
I’ve also ordered some PlastX to get the scratched up dust cover in better shape, I’ve seen some pretty remarkable results online with that product. It’ll be here on Monday along with the ground wire.
Great advice already!
I've rebuilt about 10 of these.
Use caution with the exterior paint - I use record cleaning solution (water + isopropyl alcohol + surfactant) and then car wax.
The platter is difficult to refinish. You may end up doing more damage than good. I just use car wax as it seems to remove some gunk as it adds shine. Less is more.
New tonearm belt and regrease will make a world of difference. I use Shimano bike bearing grease, but any light grease will work well.
These turntables are well worth the effort! My favorite is the SL-Q6. I have SL-10 and Sl-7 as well but they're more complex. The SL-Q5 is much much easier to work on and sounds great!
Cheers,
Mike
I've rebuilt about 10 of these.
Use caution with the exterior paint - I use record cleaning solution (water + isopropyl alcohol + surfactant) and then car wax.
The platter is difficult to refinish. You may end up doing more damage than good. I just use car wax as it seems to remove some gunk as it adds shine. Less is more.
New tonearm belt and regrease will make a world of difference. I use Shimano bike bearing grease, but any light grease will work well.
These turntables are well worth the effort! My favorite is the SL-Q6. I have SL-10 and Sl-7 as well but they're more complex. The SL-Q5 is much much easier to work on and sounds great!
Cheers,
Mike
I caution against using isopropyl alcohol for cleaning the exterior.
I found it removed the printed legends on my Technics SL-QX200!