The Technics SL-J2 is a quartz-controlled

direct-drive A direct-drive mechanism is a mechanism design where the force or torque from a prime mover is transmitted directly to the effector device (such as the drive wheels of a vehicle) without involving any intermediate couplings such as a gear train o ...

fully automatic

turntable A phonograph, in its later forms also called a gramophone (as a trademark since 1887, as a generic name in the UK since 1910) or since the 1940s called a record player, or more recently a turntable, is a device for the mechanical and analogu ...

system produced by Technics between 1984 and 1988. It features a linear tracking tonearm with an optical sensor that allows for the kind of track-skipping more typical of

CD player A CD player is an electronic device that plays audio compact discs, which are a digital optical disc data storage format. CD players were first sold to consumers in 1982. CDs typically contain recordings of audio material such as music or audio ...

s. The sensor also detects the size of the record sitting on the platter (7-inch, 10-inch, or 12-inch), which allows the needle to drop precisely on the first track.

Product description

From the original Technics SL-J2 brochure:

"Who else but Technics could put so much high performance, and so many convenient features in such a slim body? The SL-J2 features the outstanding rotational speed accuracy of quartz-referenced direct drive, and a linear tracking tonearm for perfect tracing accuracy. The convenient skip/search/direct access function allows you to skip over selections you don't want to hear. A separate, easy-to-read Music Select LED confirms your skip/search commands."

Features

Also from the original SL-J2 brochure:

* Linear tracking tonearm with optoelectronic sensor detects any arm angle deflection, and automatically compensates to give optimum tracking performance * Gimbal suspension system with low-friction ball-bearings gives superb tracking ability * Equipped with the Technics-designed P-Mount cartridge connector system * Automatic operation. The SL-J2 automatically selects record size and speed. All function keys are on the front panel, so operation can be carried out with the dust cover closed * 30cm (12") diameter aluminum diecast platter * TNRC cabinet for effective protection against external vibrations and acoustic feedback * Manual switching of disc size and speed to accommodate non-standard record formats * Automatic stylus muting

Technical specifications

Type: fully automatic turntable
Drive method: direct drive
Motor: DC motor
Drive control: quartz phase locked
Platter: 300mm aluminium die-cast
Speeds: 33 and 45rpm
Wow and flutter: 0.025% WRMS
Rumble: -78dB
Tonearm: linear tracking tonearm with 4-pivot gimbal suspension
Effective length: 105mm
Cartridge: moving magnet
Tracking force: 1.25g (+-0.25g)
Replacement stylus: EPS-30ES
Dimensions: 315 x 88 x 315mm
Weight: 4.3kg

Similar models

The Technics SL-10, produced by Technics between 1981 and 1985, was the first linear-tracking turntable to feature direct drive.

The SL-10 is also notable for being in the permanent collection of the
Museum of Modern Art The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) is an art museum located in Midtown Manhattan, New York City, on 53rd Street between Fifth and Sixth Avenues. It plays a major role in developing and collecting modern art, and is often identified as one of ...
in New York.

Other direct-drive linear tracking turntables produced by Technics include th
SL-15SL-7SL-6SL-5
an
SL-V5
Technics (brand)#Products

References

{{Panasonic Turntables 1984 musical instruments DJ equipment Electronic musical instruments Japanese inventions Musical instruments invented in the 1980s Panasonic products Turntablism