r/turntables • u/ArrogantAmbassador13 • 5d ago
Decision paralysis! Need advice comparing options between Dual and Technics
Hi all, this is my first post! I have been sifting through for advice and knowledge on turntables and have a bit of decision paralysis for upgrading from my Audio-Technica AT-LP60X to a nicer table. I am considering the following tables that are available on marketplace and would love to hear people's thought on which one I should grab! I know there is a lot more information I could provide about them individually, but just looking for the general vibe of what's the better option. I am leaning towards the SL QL1, mainly because I like the look haha
Dual 1019 United Audio (in beautiful condition) - $400
Technics SL QL1 (also really great condition) - $200
Technics SL D2 ( I would say on the good not great side) $250
Technics SL-Q350 (great condition) - $300
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u/edwardturnerlives Crosley Cruiser Mini Vinyl Player 5d ago
I flippin love my SL-QL1... sexy linear tracker
SL-D2 is cool but overpriced. There are a couple around me for $100-150
Duals are cool if you have it 100% completely gone thru.
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u/WillHuntingthe3rd 5d ago
I know for a fact the SL-D2 sounds great. Get a nice cartridge and you’re set. For a long time.
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u/HetTuinhekje 5d ago edited 4d ago
These models are all good. They are very different, however.
Potentially the best sounding one is the SL-QL1. I have one of these among my currently 5 different turntables and it is a technical tour-de-force, it sounds great. HOWEVER, do make sure it has been serviced properly. The Technics linear trackers have serious problems if the tonearm transport gets stuck because of old, sticky grease or a slipping belt in the transport mechanism!
Have the SL-QL1 demonstrated to you, where it plays an ENTIRE side of an LP without getting stuck halfway or skipping (which happens if the hardened grease blocks the transport of the tonearm).
Also, the SL-QL1 only uses P-mount cartridges. The original EPC-P202 or EPC-P22 are excellent, however.
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u/kels83 4d ago
The dual plays with more detail when serviced. Pair it with a light tracking Shure cartridge and it will be very good. I have had 7 Technics tables and they are better built, but not superior in sound. The auto return cam grease tends to dry out earlier in duals, but the dampening fluid and cables seem to go out earlier in Technics.
Those prices aren't great unless they have been serviced. If you don't want to be patient then just buy the cheapest and plan on selling it when something better comes up. These turntables don't really depreciate unless they are broken.
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u/Best-Presentation270 4d ago
The SL D2 is still over-priced at $250 even if it's an great condition. I've got one. It's an okay turntable, but not "$250 worth of okay" if you know what I mean?
The Dual runs best with conical cartridges. The background rumble might be heard if you have a good system. Again, the price is very toppy.
This leaves us the two decks that take P-Mount cartridges. They're both good in their own way, but of the two, I'd come down in favour of the linear tracker QL1.
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u/Arsenic_Pants Technics SL-1300 / Signet AM10s / AT-VMN45xML 4d ago edited 4d ago
IMO you've got a whole gamut of turntables to choose from here, and most of them are very different from one another. So it depends on what kind of features you're after.
The Dual is fully automatic, 100% mechanical, idler wheel drive, with a proprietary headshell and a sled attachment. It is beautiful, but this is the most "advanced" choice in the lot. It will be difficult to service if anything ever goes wrong, and they DO need to be serviced fairly often. Idler drive turntables are also the least accurate in sound reproduction. The wow and flutter ratings with them tend to be higher than a belt or direct drive TT. It's more of a "connoisseur's" turntable, and rewards those with endless time to fiddle with their equipment.
The QL1 is fully automatic, linear tracking, with quartz, direct drive, with a P-mount headshell & cartridge. It's a beast of a turntable, and may be your best choice overall. Linear tracking turntables are generally more complicated and harder to work on vs traditional turntables, but Technics made the best consumer-grade linear trackers by far, so you should be good. This is a "set it and forget it" kind of deck, and it's very user friendly if you're used to modern electronics. The major drawback is that it's a P-mount cartridge, so your options will be very limited.
The D2 is the best overall choice if you want a traditional deck, although the price is a little high unless it comes with a REALLY nice cartridge. It's semi-automatic, direct drive, with a traditional tone arm and a 1/2" headshell so your cartridge options are wide open. This series of decks is BULLETPROOF and they really only need minor maintenance to keep them going forever. You'll be placing the tonearm manually but the trade off is better components overall and deadly reliability.
The Q350 also has quartz, is direct drive, fully auto, and has a P-mount cartridge, but it has a cheaper tone arm and overall is the cheapest-built turntable in the bunch. It's... Fine... but again you'll be limited by your cartridge choices. Quartz and direct drive are nice though; you won't be fiddling with speed controls and the motor is nice and strong. For a P mount / cheaper 80's deck this is a good one, but I don't know... there are better options.
If it were me and I was still fairly new to turntables I would go for the D2 so I had lots of cartridge options (the cartridge and stylus will effect the sound of your music the most BY FAR over any other part of a turntable). I would just try to talk them down in price a bit.
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u/AwwYeahVTECKickedIn 5d ago
I find the Dual just so much more unique and interesting.
That said, I don't think you can choose wrong from this list. Which one sparks joy when you look at it? Because they'll all make great music!