JVC QL-A2

Second-hand. In good conditions. Shows slight signs of wear. Comes with original packaging and manual.

The JVC QL-A2 is an automatic direct-drive turntable produced by Victor Company of Japan (JVC) in the late 1970s, during the golden age of Japanese hi-fi, when reliability and engineering were core values. It belongs to the “QL” (Quartz Lock) series, which indicates the presence of quartz speed control: a feature that, then as now, ensures superior precision compared to traditional systems.

The direct drive combined with quartz lock allows the platter to reach the nominal speed almost instantly and maintain it with extreme stability, minimizing unwanted pitch variations. This combination offers faithful and consistent playback, ideal for critical or extended listening sessions. Although it is not in the high-end category in terms of mass or isolation, the QL-A2 performs excellently even in acoustically less-than-ideal environments.

Aesthetically, the QL-A2 reflects the solid sobriety typical of JVC products from that era. The fairly heavy die-cast aluminum platter contributes to an overall sense of serious and well-designed construction, clearly superior to many modern productions.

Sonically, performance largely depends on the installed cartridge, but the QL-A2 delivers a neutral, stable, and detailed sound, with controlled bass and well-defined mids. It neither emphasizes nor colors the sound, leaving space for the vinyl’s own character.

The QL-A2 is a reliable and well-built turntable, ideal for those seeking a serious entry-level model or a second setup for daily listening. It is not an esoteric device, nor an ordinary product. Its strength lies precisely in its functional simplicity and technical solidity, making it still a worthwhile purchase today.

Technical specifications:

Motor section

• Motor type: Coreless DC motor with FG servo control
• Drive system: Direct drive
• Speeds: 33-1/3 and 45 rpm
• Wow and flutter: Less than 0.025% (WRMS)
• Rumble: More than 62 dB (IEC-B); more than 72 dB (DIN-B)
• Speed detection: Integrated frequency generator
• Starting torque: More than 650 g-cm
• Speed deviation: Within 0.004%
• Load characteristics: 0% (with 100 g total tracking force)
• Drift per hour: 0.0001%/h
• Power characteristics: 0% (±10% V)
• Temperature characteristics: 0.00005%/°C
• Platter diameter: 31.2 cm

Tonearm section

• Type: T.H. (Tracing-Hold system), static balance
• Effective length: 220 mm
• Tracking error: +3°35' to -0°43'
• Overhang: 15 mm
• Tracking force range: 0 to 3 g (direct reading, 0.25 g increments)
• Weight range (including headshell): 14.521 g (headshell 10 g)

General

• Dimensions (HxWxD): 14.7 x 46.0 x 36.5 cm (with cover closed)
• Weight: 6.5 kg