The SL-BD20D is an entry-level belt-drive turntable. It features semi-automatic operation with auto return and auto shut-off, and it comes with a moving-magnet cartridge. What's more, this unit features Panasonic's TP4 plug-in cartridge connector system, which makes replacing the cartridge easier. The SL-BD20D has a removable dust cover. It doesn't have a built-in phono preamplifier, so your audio/video receiver must have a phono input to accommodate the SL-BD20D's output level. If your receiver doesn't have a phono input, you'll want to buy a dedicated phono preamp. Or you could opt for a turntable like Denon's DP26F, which has a preamp built in.
It's not a bad player for $165, that said it's not a very good one either. With new source material it preforms flawlessly. I like a lot of electronica type stuff and everything that I've purchased and played on this, it's played really well. Then I got a whole bunch of older records and it just won't stop skipping. I bought some Gruv-Glide and cleaned up all the old discs and it still just doesn't want to stop skipping. Maybe I should be a better stylus? I have no idea. If you want a cheap turntable for use with newer records then this is a decent deal, but if you plan on playing a lot of The Carpenters or Neil Diamond then you may want to look elsewhere.
Strength
When it works, it preforms really well for a relatively cheap turntable.
Weakness
It has a very difficult time playing any of my older, slightly scratched records. Actually I've noticed that this player just doesn't want to play anything but new records. I've got a bunch of my parents older stuff that's not even necessarily scratched and it just skips and skips and skips.
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3.50 out of 5
after 4 votes
3.83 of 5
