Brand new Technics SL-1210GR platter wobble ... disappointed!

@mijostyn,

Like I said poor quality control. It is difficult with a thin aluminum casting to keep it flat. When it is machined it heats up expands then cools contracts and deforms. I guess some people are lucky and get a flat one.

I believe you are right about poor QC. But even in the old analog only days, this aluminum metallurgy technology has been around for decades. The master lathe craftsmen would have never let that platter leave the shop. They have been crafting high quality high tolerance aluminum parts well before NASA in the 60’s!

This is what happens when trying to save money from doing everything in house you outsource all you can to the lowest bidder. Bummer. I’m glad I still have my minty Pioneer PL-630 table, and won’t be selling it. Thanks OP.

+ 1 @dekay,

Sounds like a lazy customer support person, complete made up BS. Not only should you go as high as you can in the crutchfield command/customer support structure, I think you should document and carbon copy everything to Technics AND Panasonic as well.

Every company worth its salt has a good complaint  department. Sounds as if crutchfield just wants you to go away...

I just can't believe in 21' that in the metal lathe platter cutting department, Japanese cutting specs/tolerances to be so far off with digital/microscopic technology?

@mijostyn,

I’m only guessing that Technics uses only billet high grade aluminum for the tables?

Heck, my use to be daily driver is the ’lowly’ 1980 Technic SL-D2 and I love this thing!
Reliable as all get out and every now and again all I have to do is drop some clipper oil down the shaft, that’s it. Not only is it perfectly flat but is a perfect circle also.

I'm with lewn too. You maybe able to get an uber inspected/gone through table, at a discount - for all your trouble. Doesn't hurt to ask.

@audioguy85,

One of the reasons high school kids in the late 70’s thru the 80’s used Technics turntables is because they were used and didn’t cost a lot of money and you could pick one up at any second store or pawn shop. We’re talking about poor kids here, right around the time and birth of rap music. And they were built like tanks.

You know where they got the idea from? Disc Jockeys! Radio station ’DJ’s knew of the reliability and quality of the Technics tables because so many ’audiophiles’ owned them in their home rigs. Yes radio DJ’s not to be confused with the kids from the block who would throw dance hall parties.

So this may come as a surprise to you the Technics tables were known as audiophile tables, even the Technics SL-1200MK2.

https://vintagetechnics.audio/turntables.php

http://www.thevintageknob.org/technics-SL-01.html
http://www.thevintageknob.org/technics-SL-10.html
http://www.thevintageknob.org/technics-SL-1000MK2.html
http://www.thevintageknob.org/technics-SL-1100.html
http://www.thevintageknob.org/technics-SL-1200MK2.html
http://www.thevintageknob.org/technics-SL-1350.html
http://www.thevintageknob.org/technics-SL-15.html
http://www.thevintageknob.org/technics-SL-1500MK2.html
http://www.thevintageknob.org/technics-SL-1650.html
http://www.thevintageknob.org/technics-SL-1900.html
http://www.thevintageknob.org/technics-SL-2000.html
http://www.thevintageknob.org/technics-SL-7.html
http://www.thevintageknob.org/technics-SL-M1.html
http://www.thevintageknob.org/technics-SL-V5.html
http://www.thevintageknob.org/technics-SP-10MK2.html
http://www.thevintageknob.org/technics-SP-10MK3.html

I owned the Pro-Ject RPM 5.1 turntable. It was a beautiful table.

https://www.henleyaudio.co.uk/products/RPM5-1

But the arm would bounce like a rubber ball at the slightest of foot movements. The ’rubber band’ belt would stretch from heat and friction on the pulley and God forbid if you didn’t have a Pro-Ject speed box...I ended up selling it.

The 'warm' sound I heard from my Pro-Ject RPM 5.1 turntable was the (very) audible hum from the pulley and belt contact. I was very disappointed.

I know this is off topic but could someone explain to me how the human ear hears cogging from direct drives turntables? Or is it a mechanical magnetic error that can or cannot be heard? Thanks