Technics - SL-BD20D Turntables Review

Anyone who came of age before the advent of the CD-ROM in the eighties, most likely has a large collection of Long Play (LP 33-1/3rmp) and Short Play (SP 45rmp) albums collecting dust in some dark coat closet.  At least that was my particular situation.  I lost my top of the line Denon turntable to my ex-wife; twas a small price to pay for my freedom, hence I have been without a turntable for almost ten years.  Every year I made a promise to myself to acquire a new one, and this year for Christmas Santa delivered one in the form of a Technics SL-BD20D semi-automatic, belt drive, turntable.       

In the box:

• o Turntable with attached cartridge
• o Turntable cover
• o Rubber platter mat
• o 45 rpm adapter
• o Phono Cartridge
• o AC power cord (68")
• o Stereo RCA cable (32")
• o Ground wire
• o (2) Instruction manuals (English/French); registration cards
• o (2) repairs/parts lists (US/Canada)

What I wanted in a turntable was and easy to use, inexpensive, semi-automatic, but still responsive turntable without a built-in Pre-amplifier.  At the price point I was willing to pay the choices were limited; only a few manufactures play in the shallow portion of the price pool.  Sony, and Technics com immediately to mind; I ended up putting the Technics SL-BD20D on my wish list.  I made the decision not to get the pre-amp imbedded in the turntable because my Sony STR-DE935 Audio/Visual Stereo Receiver already has one built-in. 

It was a simple procedure to install the SL-BD20D: connect the supplied RCA cables to the input on the receiver; connect the ground wire and AC and you're done.  Grounding the turntable is essential; luck for me my A/V receiver has a grounding screw next to the Phonographic (Phono) input, and a "switched" AC outlet on the back of the receiver.  Plugging the SL-BD20D into a switched AC outlet cuts the power to the unit unless the "Phono" button on the receiver is depressed. 

Before placing the black rubber mat into place onto of the metal platter, the belt which turns the platter must be snapped into place. It is a simple process, and detailed instructions are provided in the easy to read illustrated manual.          

Use

There is no power switch on the SL-BD20D; manually swinging the tone-arm over to the beginning of the LP will engage the platter. The cue-control button on the front of the turntable allows you to lift and lower the tone-arm (left side for "stylus-down", and right side for "stylus-up"), while the large Stop button will return the tone-arm to its resting position.  When the tone-arm reaches the end of the LP it will lift automatically and return to the resting position, turning off the platter in the process.  There is a 33 / 45rpm switch on the far left of the turntable. 

The only problem I have with the unit functionally is the lack of an LED, or other indicator other than a spinning platter, to indicate the turntable is on.  There is not provision or control on the SL-BD20D to adjust for Vertical Tracking Angle, or Anti-skate, or for fine adjusting the speed of the platter.

Sound Quality

The Technics SL-BD20D is certainly does not the most robust sound I have ever heard from a turntable; a far more expensive Denon I owned once upon a moon offered a much more richer aural experience, but the SL-BD20D isn't the worse either, and for the price...Despite the rated 20-30 kHz frequency response range, sound reproduction is a bit challenged in the mid-ranges, and the bass response is somewhat muted and not as rich I as I am used to with a CD, but this is to be expected.  Overall I am please with the turntable, and happy to finally be able to play all of those LP's I had stashed in the coat closet.   While the SL-BD20D reproduces the sound with a minimal of popping and hissing, I would have to think twice before trying to create a CD from its output. 

When all is said and done I am very pleased with the Technics SL-BD20D.  For the price point (sub-$150.00) turntable is a basic unit that allows me to play those long forgotten albums I have yet to replace with a CD. 

Product Features

• Drive Type: DC Servo Belt
• Servo belt-drive semi-automatic turntable
• Auto return and auto shutoff; includes pre-mounted P-mount cartridge
• Turntable plays at 33-1/3 and 45 rpm speeds using the included adapter for playing 45 rpm records
• Anti-resonant base cuts down on vibration; all controls can be accessed with the turntable's protective cover closed
• Measures 16.9 x 3.8 x 15.8 inches (W x H x D)