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Technics SL-QX300 teardown/refurb

Discussion in 'Turntables' started by lobsterbox, Dec 13, 2012.

Last tuesday (dec 11th) I decided to finally tear into my $20 garage sale Technics SL-QX300. The Start/Stop button was pushed
waaaaay further in then it should have been (obviously non functional because of this) and the pitch control was completely erratic
(sometimes 33 would be at +3 or -5, other times it would be completely unobtainable). Thankfully, neither of these have been a
problem because swinging the tonearm over manually starts the turntable and the little "reset" button automatically keeps the pitch
spot on anyway (quartz ftw).

lobsterbox It took quite a bit (perhaps more then what was needed) for me to get this thing apart. By the end of it all it's two halves were strewn
New Member over the place where it normally sits atop my other equiptment and the chair which I sit in to listen to it.
Messages: 9
I will admit to a considerable amount of reefing on the main connector (the big rectangular connector seen in photos below)
because I was daft enough not to see that it disconnected from the other side unlike everything else. The yellow wire was pulled out
a bit but I was able to slide it back into place.
As it stands now I have fixed the Start/Stop button. Physical operation and testing with an ohmmeter confirmed this.
The last problem I face before putting it all back together is the dirty pitch control.
 I could take the lazy route (who needs pitch control when you have a magic quartz logic button) and put the thing back together like
it is now but I need to do it right. This means cleaning. I know Deoxit is the best solution but it's expensive and only available online.
If I can find a proper way to remove the pitch control and clean it thoroughly with isopropyl alcohol and a q-tip I have a feeling I'll be
satisfied.

I'd also be looking at putting a new cart on it once i get it fixed. I have some questions about two Audio-Technica elliptical carts:

The AT92ECD and the AT311EP are both .3 x .7 (from what I understand, the finer elliptical stylus tracks better and reads the
grooves deeper.)

The only differences I can make out initially are the differences in price and output voltage ($38 and 3.5mv for the AT92ECD and
$53 and 5.0mv for the AT311P). I don't see the real difference here if you catch my drift.

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Lobsterbox.
lobsterbox, Dec 13, 2012 #1

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Thanks for posting this. I have two of these; like them a lot, but never use. Maintenance issues have been addressed (oil, cleaning)
and they test superbly with the at92ecd and hi fi news test lp.

I have not deoxit'd or recapped, though.

Deoxit is available at Radio Shack and Guitar Center. Be sure to lube the spindle bearing with SFW010 Technics oil. Love the
illini AT92ECD for the price (25 smackers online).
The Past is Alive Last edited: Dec 13, 2012

Messages: 5,875 illini, Dec 13, 2012 #2

lobsterbox said: ↑
 The only differences I can make out initially are the differences in price and output voltage ($38 and 3.5mv for the AT92ECD and $53 and 5.0mv for the
AT311P). I don't see the real difference here if you catch my drift.

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Lobsterbox.
Balifly
Listening
Subscriber Amazon has the Audio Technica AT 92ECD at a better price. :yes:
Messages: 18,381
http://www.amazon.com/Audio-Technic...=UTF8&qid=1355448873&sr=8-1&keywords=at+92ecd
Location: Balifly, Dec 13, 2012 #3
Vancouver, B.C.,
Canada

At least in my area, only some Radio Shacks sell DeoxIT but they all sell Radio Shack brand electronics cleaner. One is a zero
residue type and the other, like DeoxIT, has a lubricant in it. I've used both and think they're just fine and a lot less money than
DeoxIT.

I would try this before trying to disassemble the trim pots and clean them by hand. They're not really meant to come apart.

boreas John
AK Subscriber
boreas, Dec 13, 2012 #4
Subscriber

Messages: 14,954
Location:
Sonoma County, CA

Technic SL-QX300 tear down

I would like to replace the RCA cables, what would the best approach be on this puppy?

Regards Markus
marktherob01, Apr 22, 2015 #5
marktherob01
New Member

Messages: 9

Why would you want to replace the RCA cables? Is it erratic (broken somewhere) or would you just like to have some other fancy
looking cables for no specific reason? If you do not constantly plug and unplug your TT from the amp there is no reason to replace
the RCA plugs either. If they are not broken, leave them as they are and make sure the plugs are clean (IPA). Plug it in and enjoy.

For cleaning the pitch controls, just unscrew the pitch board, turn it so it faces up with the pitch pots, put a cloth underneath it and
take an eyedropper full of your IPA and generously spray it on (in) the pots. Then work them forth and backwards a lot of times.
dutchflea Repeat. Maybe repeat another time. Problem will be fixed.
Active Member
dutchflea, Apr 23, 2015 #6
Messages: 278

The easiest way to clean that pot with something that's usually easy to get is some CRC stuff that Home Depot has. I use it a lot
because a) it's a lot cheaper and b) because it works just fine. I use the QD plastic safe cleaner to clean the old gunk out and it
dries super fast so you have to be moving things around while spraying to get it well. Then the super lube a couple of times and
you're good to go.

I've got a Technics SL 230 belt drive that has a known issue of bad RCA cables. I found an old Marantz parts table for super cheap
Njoy-Music and since it had better cables I took those and used them. Works like a champ. You can get cable from someone like Blue Jeans
Old Time Rock & Roll cable that are sold with RCA connectors on one end and just bare wire on the other that work well also.
Subscriber

Messages: 1,566 There are many folks out there that sell cable like that depending on your budget.
Location: Tucson, AZ
Not sure about this TT particularly but if the cables go inside the plinth, trace them through the plinth and they're usually on a board
soldered in place. VERY FINE control to desolder the old ones taking care to see where each end goes FIRST. Take pictures of
where it is now so you'll have something to refer to.

If you're using new cable make sure you match color to color to keep left/right and positive/negative correct. I did it first shot being
extra careful and keeping some of those soldering heat sink clips all around so I didn't overdue things. Cleaned all the old solder up
with a solder sucker since I don't have a desoldering iron. Placed the new ones in, taking my time and not rushing anything.
 Put it all back together and it's worked fine ever since. And that was a couple of years ago. If yours is anything like mine was there's
a little internal grounding wire in there somewhere that you use to ground to your receiver/preamp you'll want to make sure still has
a good connection as well. I replaced mine with a piece of 16ga stranded wire I had extra just for the practice and it was actually a
little longer than the old one so it worked out well.

How far or how much you want to do in there is entirely up to you. However those boards are very heat sensitive so BE CAREFUL!!!

And good luck!!!

Njoy-Music, Apr 23, 2015 #7

changing RCA cables

I have new audioquest cables and would like to change them so I would like to know the best way to get at the cable on the SL-
QX300

Thanks
marktherob01
New Member
dutchflea said: ↑
Messages: 9
Why would you want to replace the RCA cables? Is it erratic (broken somewhere) or would you just like to have some other fancy looking cables for no
specific reason? If you do not constantly plug and unplug your TT from the amp there is no reason to replace the RCA plugs either. If they are not broken,
leave them as they are and make sure the plugs are clean (IPA). Plug it in and enjoy.

For cleaning the pitch controls, just unscrew the pitch board, turn it so it faces up with the pitch pots, put a cloth underneath it and take an eyedropper full of
your IPA and generously spray it on (in) the pots. Then work them forth and backwards a lot of times. Repeat. Maybe repeat another time. Problem will be
fixed.

marktherob01, Apr 23, 2015 #8

Hi all I plan on picking this up today , the only problem is that u need to manually use the tone arm as the seller says automatic feat
is not working needs to be used manually, i hope I understood correctly, what do I need to watch out for before buying this ?
 And can I connect a Shure catridge to it v15 type IV
allanmatters
Active Member allanmatters, Jan 4, 2018 #9

Messages: 158
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Location:
Bahrain, Al Manama

I believe the default catridge on the qx300 is 'P' type . Still did not buy it as seller was busy , going to make a trip tomorrow

allanmatters, Jan 4, 2018 #10

allanmatters
Active Member

Messages: 158
Location:
Bahrain, Al Manama

The arm of the SL-QX300 is for p-mount (T4P) cartridges. The standard 1/2 inch mount Shure V15 type IV will not work, but Shure
also made a p-mount version of that cartridge (V15LT) that would work with that arm.

SA-708, Jan 5, 2018 #11

SA-708
Appalachian-
American
 Messages: 5,467
Location:
NE Tennessee

Th

SA-708 said: ↑

The arm of the SL-QX300 is for p-mount (T4P) cartridges. The standard 1/2 inch mount Shure V15 type IV will not work, but Shure also made a p-mount
version of that cartridge (V15LT) that would work with that arm.

allanmatters Thank you . I guess I would pass on it , don't want to buy another catridge . I don't get those things where I am at at the moment or
Active Member rather tough to buy or find catridge s leave aside record players
Messages: 158
allanmatters, Jan 5, 2018 #12
Location:
Bahrain, Al Manama

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