My feedback:
1. How is this model? - all Technics direct drives are good turntables, if in running condition and well maintained. This model is a quartz controlled version with good speed reliability. It is a semi-automatic which means, manual start of play with auto return on completion of the playing side. Has an tonearm lift for cueing which is very useful. Does not have pitch controls but the quartz controlling circuitry is generally extremely accurate if working properly.
2. Are there known issues specific to this model? - bearing wear (if not properly serviced) but this is very rare and unless the turntable has been abused. The controls can get a bit unreliable due to exposure to dust, this can be easily overcome with cleaning. Take out the platter carefully and check the underside areas near the spindle hole for cracks, bends or breaks on what you see there. In my personal view, the tonearm is the major downside of this turntable. I have used various Technics tonearms and turntables, my view is that their straight tonearms are not that great. They generally need careful calibration and tend to be unreliable with tracking (especially on turntables from the pre-used market which have not been handled carefully in the past). Straight tonearms also tend to play newer records, very well but are exposed on older records especially with in-groove distortion and skipping. Also the p-mount cartridge used on it, reduces the options you can try. Most of the p-mount cartridges available are generally entry level while the 1/2 inch mount cart option gives you a great variety to choose from across price and quality ranges. In my opinion, avoid Technics turntables with straight tonearms and always go for Technics direct drives with s-shaped tonearms, with 1/2 inch mount cartridge shells.
3. What is level i.e. Entry level / mid level - Definitely mid-level, technics direct drives are definitely not entry level. A good example of a Technics entry-level turntable is the SLBD20B. These Technics turntables, if properly calibrated and carefully handled, can be made to sound like high quality turntables, with the right placement, cartridge, phonostage, amplification and speakers.
4. Cost and result of cartriage used? - price is subjective, depends on a lot of factors. Regarding cartridge, please refer to my views on point-2
5. Price of needle - depends on the cartridge used. Buying a replacement stylus in most cases is almost as expensive as replacing the whole cartridge and stylus as a combo. This is especially the case with p-mount cartridges, like the ones used on this turntable model.
6. Any other useful info - Technics direct drive turntables are always in high demand. Those who own them seldom sell, even if they upgrade to higher stuff (like me, have the Technics SP10 Mk2, but still retain my favourite SL3200). You'd have to take someone along, who is quite familiar with what to look for, while buying in the pre-used market. Avoid buying from Indian sellers without inspecting (other than those listed in the For Sale section on HFV). Avoid shipping as packing a turntable requires expert knowledge of packaging techniques and knowledge of how to dismantle key parts of a turntable. You'd also need to know how to put these back all together again, once you receive your shipment
