Lyra Cartridge CEO Stig Bjorge collects some vintage audio gear. The Technics SL-15, introduced in 1981, is among his favorites. Recently, he found one for sale in America and he asked me if I'd pick it up for him in Princeton, New Jersey, which happens to be the home of The Princeton Record Exchange.

I was happy to oblige. So after spending a few days in Washington D.C. visiting a fellow vinyl fanatic, I stopped off in Princeton and picked up the 'table for Mr. Bjorge. Of course I also went to The Princeton Record Exchange.

I figured I'd check out the SL-15 before shipping it off to Japan. I made a video of the unique 'table in action. The SL-15 features a direct drive motor and a tangential tracking tone arm, the latter built into the lid. A sophisticated LED-based optical-electrical system allows for programmability that some might not think was possible back then.

The system can scan the record surface and automatically select the correct playback speed as well as identify track bands. Ten push buttons located on the left side of the lid let you program track order, or you can just play through the record normally. The SL-15 comes with a high quality MM cartridge fitted with an elliptical stylus.

Mr. Bjorge is friends with the guys who designed the 'table so upon its return, he will give it to them for a complete refurbishing and "tune-up". To see the SL-15 in action, watch the video: