SL-1400

About the SL-1400

The Technics SL-1400, manufactured between 1975 and 1977 in Japan, is a semi-automatic direct-drive turntable designed for audiophiles. It features a brushless DC motor with servo control (mk1) or quartz locked control (mk2), supporting 33 1/3 and 45 rpm speeds. The turntable has a 330 mm aluminum diecast platter weighing 2.5 kg, with pitch control of 10% (mk1) or 20% (mk2). It offers very low wow and flutter (0.03% WRMS mk1, 0.025% mk2) and rumble (-70 dB mk1, -73 dB mk2). The tonearm is a universal, S-shaped tubular arm with gimbal suspension, effective length of 230 mm, 15 mm overhang, and 21.5° offset angle. It includes automatic output muting and an auto-return mechanism that stops and returns the tonearm at the end of a record. The unit weighs approximately 8.1 kg (mk1) or 11.8 kg (mk2) and measures about 453 x 139 x 366 mm. It originally retailed around 780 DM and is known for its robust build and precise speed control using a one-chip motor control IC (AN630). The SL-1400 is part of a series including models like SL-1300 and SL-1500. It is highly regarded for its torque, low noise, and reliability, making it a classic vintage turntable.