Technics Turntable System Sl 1200m3d Operating Instructions

							Before connecting, operating or adjusting this
product, please read these instructions completely.
Please save this manual.
Operating Instructions
SL-1200M3D
RQT4912-2P
Turntable System
PPC 
						

							2
RQT4912
Dear customer
Thank you for purchasing this product.
For optimum performance and safety, please read these instruc-
tions carefully.
The lightning flash with arrowhead symbol, within 
an equilateral triangle, is intended to alert the user 
to the presence of uninsulated “dangerous voltage” 
within the product’s enclosure that may be of suffi-
cient magnitude to constitute a risk of electric shock 
to persons.
CAUTION
CAUTION: TO REDUCE THE RISK OF ELECTRIC
SHOCK, DO NOT REMOVE SCREWS.
NO USER-SERVICEABLE PARTS
INSIDE.
REFER SERVICING TO QUALIFIED
SERVICE PERSONNEL.
The exclamation point within an equilateral triangle 
is intended to alert the user to the presence of 
important operating and maintenance (servicing) 
instructions in the literature accompanying the ap-
pliance.

RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK
DO NOT OPEN
The following mark and symbols are located on bottom of the unit.
Table of contents
Supplied accessories ....................................................... 2
IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS ........................... 3
Features ............................................................................. 4
Controls ............................................................................. 4
Preparation of the cartridge ............................................ 4
Putting the player together .............................................. 5
Connections and installation .......................................... 6
Connecting the stereo cords and AC power cord ....................... 6
Connection to the Audio Mixer (not included) ............................. 6
Installation.................................................................................... 6
Preparatory adjustments ................................................. 7Horizontal balance and stylus pressure...................................... 7
Anti-skating.................................................................................. 8
Tone arm height........................................................................... 8
Fit the dust cover ......................................................................... 8
Playing records ................................................................. 9
Adjustments while using the unit ................................. 10
Pitch control............................................................................... 10
Armlift height .............................................................................. 10
Maintenance .................................................................... 11
Product service ............................................................... 11
Troubleshooting guide ........................................
Back coverTechnical specifications .....................................Back cover
Supplied accessories
Please check and identify the supplied ac-
cessories.
Use numbers indicated in parentheses when
asking for replacements parts.
(Only for U.S.A.)
To order accessories contact 1-800-332-5368 or web site
(http: //www.panasonic.com).
WARNING:
TO REDUCE THE RISK OF FIRE, ELECTRIC
SHOCK OR PRODUCT DAMAGE, DO NOT
EXPOSE THIS APPLIANCE TO RAIN,
SPLASHING, DRIPPING OR MOISTURE.
CAUTION:
TO PREVENT ELECTRIC SHOCK MATCH
WIDE BLADE OF PLUG TO WIDE SLOT,
FULLY INSERT.
User memo:
DATE OF PURCHASE
DEALER NAME
DEALER ADDRESS
TELEPHONE NUMBER
The model number and serial number of this product can
be found on either the back or the bottom of the unit.
Please note them in the space provided below and keep for
future reference.
MODEL NUMBER SL-1200M3D
SERIAL NUMBER
Turntable..................1pc.
(SFTE172-01Z)
Turntable mat ..........1pc.
(RGS0008)
Disc slip sheet set
(RGS0005Z) .................. 1
•Disc slip sheet
•Transparent sheet
Dust cover ...............1pc.
(SFAD122-01A)
Shell with stylus weight
(SFPCC31005K) ......1pc.
     A cartridge is not included.
Balance weight.......1pc.
(SFPWG17201K)
Auxiliary weight ......1pc.
(SFPWG17202)
EP record adaptor
(SFWE010)...............1pc.
Shell weight .............1pc.
(SFPZB3501)
Overhang gauge .....1pc.
(SFK0135-01)
Screw set for cartridge
....................................... 1
•Nuts(RHN26003)
•
Screws-short(SFCZV8801)
•Screws-long(SFPEV9801)•Washers(SFPEW9601) 
						

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RQT4912
CAUTION:
This equipment has been tested and found to comply with
the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of
the FCC Rules.
These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection
against harmful interference in a residential installation.
This equipment generates, uses and can radiate radio
frequency energy and, if not installed and used in
accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful
interference to radio communications. However, there is no
guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular
installation. If this equipment does cause harmful
interference to radio or television reception, which can be
determined by turning the equipment off and on, the user is
encouraged to try to correct the interference by one of the
following measures:
¡Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
¡Increase the separation between the equipment and re-
ceiver.
¡Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different
from that to which the receiver is connected.
¡Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician
for help.
Any unauthorized changes or modifications to this
equipment would void the user’s authority to operate this
device.
This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules.
Operation is subject to the following two conditions: (1) This
device may not cause harmful interference, and (2) this
device must accept any interference received, including
interference that may cause undesired operation. THE FOLLOWING APPLIES ONLY IN THE U.S.A.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
Read these operating instructions carefully before using the unit. Follow the safety instructions on the unit and the applicable safety
instructions listed below. Keep these operating instructions handy for future reference.
1) Read these instructions.
2) Keep these instructions.
3) Heed all warnings.
4) Follow all instructions.
5) Do not use this apparatus near water.
6) Clean only with dry cloth.
7) Do not block any ventilation openings. Install in accordance
with the manufacturer’s instructions.
8) Do not install near any heat sources such as radiators, heat
registers, stoves, or other apparatus (including amplifiers)
that produce heat.
9) Do not defeat the safety purpose of the polarized or
grounding-type plug. A polarized plug has two blades with
one wider than the other. A grounding-type plug has two
blades and a third grounding prong. The wide blade or the
third prong are provided for your safety. If the provided plug
does not fit into your outlet, consult an electrician for
replacement of the obsolete outlet.
10) Protect the power cord from being walked on or pinched
particularly at plugs, convenience receptacles, and the point
where they exit from the apparatus.11) Only use attachments/accessories specified by the
manufacturer.
12) Use only with the cart, stand, tripod, bracket,
or table specified by the manufacturer, or sold
with the apparatus. When a cart is used, use
caution when moving the cart/apparatus
combination to avoid injury from tip-over.
13) Unplug this apparatus during lightning storms or when
unused for long periods of time.
14) Refer all servicing to qualified service personnel. Servicing is
required when the apparatus has been damaged in any way,
such as power-supply cord or plug is damaged, liquid has
been  spilled or objects have fallen into the apparatus, the
apparatus has been exposed to rain or moisture, does not
operate normally, or has been dropped. 
						

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RQT4912
Features
A masterpiece amongst turntables with a worldwide repu-
tation.
Pitch control reset button
•Pitch can be instantly reset to the rated speed (33 1/3 or 45 rpm).
Highly accurate turntable speed maintained continuously
with a quartz pitch control
•The pitch can be varied between -8 and +8%, with accuracy main-
tained throughout the range.
The direct drive produces high torque•Wow and flutter below 0.01%.  Starting torque of 1.5 kg/cm en-
abling the turntable to reach 33 1/3 rpm in 0.7 seconds.
•Fully electric braking system.
Tone arm with gimbal suspension
•The tone arm can be finely adjusted in a range of 6 millimeters
with the lockable height control.
Anti-vibration design with 3 layer cabinet construction
and large insulating legs.
Pop-up stylus light.
Controls 
No. NameReference page(s)

EP record adaptor  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Turntable base  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Turntable mat (Or disc slip sheet)  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
 Center spindle  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Turntable  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Strobe lights  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
 Power switch (power )  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Strobe illuminator/pilot lamp  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Start/stop button (start - stop )  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
 Speed select buttons (33, 45)  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Arm-height control  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Shell stand  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
 Balance weight  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Stylus pressure control  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Arm lock  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
 Anti-skating control  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Cue lever  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Arm clamp  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
 Arm rest  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Tone arm  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 LED indicator  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
 Pitch control (Pitch adj. )  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Locking nut  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Reset button (reset )  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
 Head shell  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Stylus light switch  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Stylus light  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Preparation of the car tridge

 Attach a cartridge (not included).
Follow the cartridge’s instructions to correctly attach it to the
head shell.
•Use the included shell weight 
Þ1 when using a light cartridge
(3.5 to 6.5 grams).
•Use the stylus weight 
Þ2 to increase stylus pressure ( page 7). Leave it off until stylus pressure has been adjusted.
 Adjust the overhang.
Fit the included overhang gauge to the head shell. Adjust the
overhang and facing of the cartridge and tighten the screws.
•Line the point of the stylus up with the end of the gauge.
•The cartridge should be parallel on the shell head.
52mm
+8+86 4
2
+82
4
6 -8
-8
(Stylus weightÞ2)
Screw for cartridge
Shell with stylus
weight
Lead wire
Terminal
Nut (Shell
 weight
Þ1)
Stylus
Screw for cartridge
Stylus tipOverhang
gauge
YES NO NO 
						

							5
RQT4912
Putting the player together
Put the player together in the following order.
•Do not connect the AC power cord until set up is complete.
•Leave the dust cover off until set up and adjustments are com-
plete.
 Fit the turntable  and turntable mat .
Put the turntable on the center spindle and then lay the mat on
top.
•Be very careful when putting the turntable on the main unit.
The magnet on the bottom of the turntable is finely adjusted
and sharp contact can cause it to move and lead to poor op-
eration. Ensure the magnet remains free from dust and iron
particles.
•Do not adjust the screws attaching the magnet to the turn-
table. The rated performance of the unit cannot be guaran-
teed if the magnet is moved.
 Attach the head shell .
Fit the head shell into the tone arm, keep it horizontal and tighten
the locking nut.
 Attach the balance weight  to the rear of the
tone arm.
If the cartridge weighs between 10 and 13 grams, attach the
included auxiliary weight  to the main balance weight.
When the player is to be used for scratch play 
Use the disc slip sheet  instead of the turntable mat. This enables
the record to be easily moved during play.
•Top (printed side): Lay the record on this side.
•Bottom: Slippery side.
For a different kind of slipPut the transparent sheet  under the disc slip sheet.
Locking nutMagnet
Securing
screws 
						

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RQT4912
 
ININ OUT
RL RL
R
L RL RL
PHONOPHONO
PHONO
PHONO
GND
PHONO
AC120V,60Hz
(
R)(
L)
Connections and installation
Connecting the stereo cords and AC power cord
 Connect the stereo cords and earth lead.If the earth lead isn’t connected, a hum will be heard from the
AC power source.
 Connect the AC power cord.
•Connect this cord only after all other connections are complete.
•Confirm the wattage of AC outlets on amplifiers and receivers
before using them for this unit. This unit consumes 14 W.
Connection to the Audio Mixer (not included)
•Disconnect all units from the power source before making any con-
nections.
•Reconnect the AC power cords after all other connections are com-
plete.
Installation
•Install the unit on a horizontal surface protected from vibrations.
•Keep this unit as far as possible from speakers.
•Ensure the unit is not exposed to direct sunlight, dust, humidity,
and heat from a heating appliance.
•This unit may pick up interference from a radio if there is one nearby.
Keep radios as far as possible from this unit.
Adjusting the height of the insulators

Place the unit where it is to be used and adjust the height of the legs
to make the unit horizontal.
Amplifier(not included)
This unit
This unit This unit To household
AC outlet
PHONO earth lead
Stereo cords
PHONO
earth lead
(White) (Red)(Red)
(White)
(R)(R) (L)
(L)
Audio mixerTo phono
terminals
(Red) (White)
(R)(L) 
						

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RQT4912
Preparatory adjustments
Horizontal balance and stylus pressure
 Release the tone arm.
Take care with the stylus and remove its cover,
then release the arm clamp.
Free the tone arm from the arm rest.
 Adjust horizontal balance
Push the cue lever down.
Turn the anti-skating control to “0”.Turn the balance weight until the arm is approxi-
mately horizontal.
Take care at this time not to allow the stylus to touch the unit.
 Turn the stylus pressure control to “0”
Return the tone arm to the arm rest and fix it with
the arm clamp.
Turn the stylus pressure control to “0”.Hold the balance weight still while doing this.
 Adjust stylus pressure
Turn the balance weight to adjust to the appropriate
pressure for the cartridge you are using.
See the cartridge’s instructions for recommended stylus pres-
sure.
The stylus pressure control will turn at the same time. Stop
when the center line points to the required pressure.
To increase stylus pressure for scratch play 
Use the stylus weight (included) to increase stylus pressure by 4
grams.
1.5
22.53
0
1
03.5
   
0123
Arm clamp
Arm rest
Cue lever
Anti-skating controlBalanced
Too far forward
Too far back
Balance weight
Stylus pressure
control “0”
Center line
Shell with stylus weight Stylus weightTurn stylus
pressure
control
 Arm  clamp
Turn balance
weight
Center line
YES
NO
NO 
						

							8
RQT4912
Preparatory adjustments
Anti-skating
Adjust to the same value as the stylus pressure control.If stylus pressure is over 3 grams, set this control to “3”.
Tone arm height
Release the arm lock.
Compare the height of your cartridge (H) with the fol-
lowing and set the arm height appropriately.
•Arm height is indicated in millimeters on the arm-height control,
with marks indicating 0.5 millimeter intervals. Turn the control
to the required height.
•If you do not know the height of your cartridge, rest the stylus
on a record and adjust the height control until the tone arm is
parallel with the record.
Lock the arm after adjusting the height.
Fit the dust cover
Hold the dust cover with both hands and fit it over the
player from directly above.
Cartridge height
(H) in millimeters
1718
19
20
21
22
23Height control
position
0
1
2
3
4
5
6

-0$,
)
0
123
Locked
Index line
Tone arm and record parallel. Released 
						

							9
RQT4912
Playing records
Preparation
 Put a record on the turntable. Take off the stylus cover and release the arm clamp.
 Turn [power] to turn the unit on.
•The pilot lamp comes on.
•33 1/3 rpm is automatically selected and the indicator lights.
•Press [45] if you are playing a 45 rpm record.
 Press [start-stop].
The turntable starts revolving.
 Lift the cue lever and move the tone arm over
the record.
 Lower the cue lever.
The tone arm moves down and play starts.
When play finishes Lift the cue lever and move the tone arm back to the arm rest. Press [start-stop].
The electronic brake gently stops the turntable.
 Turn [power] to turn the unit off. Clamp the tone arm and put the stylus cover back on.
To temporarily stop playLift the cue lever.
The stylus lifts off the record.
When using EP records
 Take the adaptor out of its holder  and fit it over the center
spindle.
 Press [45] to change the speed.
To light up the stylus •Press the stylus light switch. The light rises up and illuminates the
stylus.
•When the light is not required, press it down. The light also goes
out.
Press the switch firmly. If the switch is lightly pressed, the light may
come on but not rise up.
TUBSU
KTUPQ
 
~´6
~y3.3
~y0y %
~µ3.3
offon
power
33 45
Indicator
lights
Cue lever
Stylus light switch Stylus light EP record
adaptor 
						

							10
RQT4912
8~13mm
offon
power
+6y3.3y0y %- 3.3
+8+86 4
2 2 4
6 -8reset
pitch ad
 j .Reset button LED indicator
Strobe illuminator
 +
6 % variation
 +
3.3 % variation
 Normal turntable speed
 _
3.3 % variation
Armlift screw
Armlift
Adjustments while using the unit
Pitch control
Fine adjustment to the number of revolutions per minute.
Slide [pitch adj.] while the turntable is revolving.Move the indicator to the required position.
•The numbers represent approximate percentages.
•Pitch can be adjusted between -8% to +8%.
To reset pitch to the preset valuePress [reset].
The green lamp lights and the pitch immediately returns to the set
value (33 
1/3 or 45 rpm), regardless of any adjustments made with
[pitch adj.].
Press [reset] again and pitch returns to the adjusted value.
To measure pitch The four rows of metal circles around the edge of the turntable can
assist you in measuring pitch.
They are lit by the strobo light as they pass and each row appears to
stand still at a different pitch.
Avoid using fluorescent light while measuring pitch. The timing will
be put out and accuracy will be affected.
Armlift height
Preparation Put a record on the turntable.
 Take off the stylus cover and release the arm clamp.
Use a screwdriver to turn the armlift screw.
Make this adjustment only if the cartridge you are using makes it
necessary.
•Turning the screw clockwise lowers the armlift.
•Turning the screw anti-clockwise raises the armlift.
Armlift height (the distance between the record and stylus when the
cue lever is raised) is set to between 8 and 13 millimeters at time of
shipment.