Linear Turntables

[eThink]

I though it might be fun to share some pictures of the Linear Turntables.

Most of these were designed in the 1980s.

There are some really interesting and unusal designs.

The source of these pictures is ebay.

So why did Linear Tracking turntables eventually disappear from the "mainstream" consumer and enthusiast market?

Read this explanations from Vinyl Asylum:

http://www.audioasylum.com/audio/vinyl/messages/33189.html

[eThink]

The Mitsubishi Interplay X-10 system was made from 81-82 at a cost of 690 dollars.

It gives you everything you would possibly need...a tape deck..turntable and tuner! 25 watts per channel RMS,both channels driven at 8 ohms from 50 Hz to 20 Kz with no more than 0.8% harmonic distortion.

Some of its many features are...light emmiter for auto sensing of record diameter,dial scale,dial pointer,manual buttons,prism,disc guages,disc clamper,level meters,tape select,speed select 33/45,repeat play,station presets,MPSS(music program select switch)input selector,freq.meters...

[eThink]

This is appears to be a rare turntable.

It is NOT listed at the The Classic Dual Web Site!

Based on the design, it appears to be from the mid 1980s.
It appears to use a P-mount cartridge.

[eThink]

Technics made a lot of Linear Tracking Turntables.

This model has Direct Drive.

Note how the arm is intergrated into the dust cover.

[eThink]

A high quality Technics SL-M3 quartz direct drive linear tracking automatic turntable housed in a beautiful rosewood veneer cabinet.

Sold for $257.

[eThink]

Features linear tracking, quartz lock, and fully automatic tray opening and loading system. Push the open button, the front door lifts up, the turntable module slides out, you place the album on, push the close button, the turntable module retracts, and the door closes. This wonderkin automatically detects the size of your record and adjusts accordingly, gently lowing the stylus automatically to start play. Or use manual controls to queue a certain track. Also includes a discwasher brand anti-static mat, LP size.

Speed is either 33 or 45 rpm. Has automatic push button forward, reverse, cue up/down. and repeat button. Pampers your precious vinyl and sounds terrific.

Some specs include:

Wow and Flutter: 0.03%
Signal to Noise Ratio: 75dB DIN-B
Speed deviation: Within 0.003%
Tonearm: Linear Tracking
Tracking error: 0.1 degree

Sold for $204

[eThink]

Clean, electronic logic controlled, linear tracking turntable features tonearm post on/off control, 33/45 speed control, repeat, lift/cue, start/stop buttons. LCD readout.

All functions work fine except the cueing which might need an adjustment.

Used a Grado cartridge.

Adjustable height on the tonearm platform.

Large motion absorbtion foot pads.

A very well made, high-end, HEAVY unit.

Sold for $164.

[eThink]

This is a Phase Linear 8000 Series Two linear tracking turntable with a Grado stereo phono cartridge.

The turntable/arm it self went for around $800.00 in the late seventies/early eighties and would probably run $2000. now if it were still available.

This is a true tank of a turntable and you will find few still built like this. For starters the top to which the major mechanical components are mounted is cast aluminum! This is much more solid than the typical plastic chassis. The heavy aluminum platter is driven by a Quartz PLL Hall Effect direct-drive motor. This was considered the premier type of motor for a direct-drive turntable because of its accuracy and low vibration.

But the real surprise is the straight-line tracking tonearm. This arm has conventional bearings to allow it to track warps and eccentricities in the record but uses a Linear Motor system to keep the arm tangential to the groove. And the Linear Motor allows the PL8000 II to automatically start and stop the record – and even repeat – without the extra mechanical complexity needed by other turntables. No additional mechanics are connected to the arm for auto operation. This turntable, when properly set up, was one of a select few that could properly track and reproduce the first-ever digital recording of the famous Tchaikovsky's 1812 Overture by Telarc, including the extreme low frequency and high energy cannon shots.

Sold for $315

[eThink]

Bang & Olufsen Beogram 8000 with MMC 20EN cartridge.

A beautiful turntable that looks as great as it sounds! Aside from the similar 8002, this is one of the most expensive B&O turntables, costing about $1100 new.

This model is one of the finest tangential tracking tables ever made. Bang and Olufsen 8000 linear tracking (tangential) turntable continues the tradition of outstanding quality, ease of use, and reliability. It is free from bugs that plague earlier models, while later designs are not quite as ruggedly built.

At the heart of the 8000 is the leaf spring suspension tonearm system. The system prevents vibration in the servo mechanism with the chassis suspended on three pendulums and three leaf springs, thus absorbing both vertical and horizontal movements. Low-mass tangential tracking tonearm makes skating and antiskating forces virtually nonexistent, which improves tracking considerably with clearly audible superior sound reproduction

Sold for $355

[eThink]

YAMAHA PX3 Audiophile turntable with Audio Technica AT140LC.

From the early 80's.

Yamaha made two esoteric, high end turntables during this time, the PX3 and the PX2. Both were very, very similiar with the PX2 being handmade.

The turntable weighs over 40 pounds and is built like a tank. It is fully automatic, PLL direct drive.

Sold for $338

[eThink]

From the late 1970s

Used a Rabco Arm.

Build like a tank.

Sold for $120

[eThink]

1st generation B&O Linear Turntable.

Late 1970s/early 1980s.

Sold for $243.

[THOR]

I can't believe RichM didn't grab that PL TT :eek:

[eThink]

Original and unusual design from Sony.

The platter and the lid platter hold the record in place.

[eThink]

Compare this unit to the Phase Linear unit!

> Beautiful black metal toped case-heavy metal platter- precision adjustable feet (4)
> Direct drive quartrz PLL Hall motor
> Twin speeds of 33 and 45-wow and flutter of less than 0.0013% @33 1/3
> Signal to noise ratio of more than 78 db
> Full rotation speed within 90 deg of one, speed deviation less than 0.002%
> Has 22 ic’s, 17 transistors, 16 diodes, 14 led’s, 5 photo transistors
> Top of the line unit sold in 1980 (have warr card) and weighs in at 27 pounds
> It is 19 7/16 wide, 18 inches deep and 6 inches tall
> This model was made for overseas use (United Kingdom and Australia) so it is 110vac /220vac and
> Has auto start or manual –manual uses the tone arm head for movement or the Remote operation knob (jog wheel)
> Has repeat play, cueing, record size and disc size function switches

Sold for $300 (via Buy-it-Now)

[eThink]

New in the box

Front Loading for shelf or stacking placement

Fully automatic

33 and 45 rpm

Repeat button

Start, Stop, Open, Close, Lift and Scan functions

Sold for $204

[bully]

Far out, Steve.
Theorectically, a tangential/linear tracking table should be the best type for tracking albums. They are finicky, or perhaps I should say the early systems were known to have some problems. I understand some parts and assembly procedures were upgraded, and the later linerar tables became rather reliable. They do seem to take some of the romance away from spinnin' vinyl.

pete

[car67]

Nice set of pics. thanks. Another one that I like is the Revox. Tried to find a decent pic on ebay but bet I could do was this.

Jack

[bully]

ReVox. Jeez, we talk about build quality and often say 'built like a tank.'
ReVox. Whew. They ARE built like tanks.
Used the Rabco ST-8 arm, IIRC? LTers could be exceptional players.

pete

[VinylHanger]

I remember one unit that played both sides without taking the album out, had a tray like a cd player. Kenwood or Sansui I believe. It was like 280 bucks in the mid '80's. I don't think I would put my vinyl through the pain though. But for fun it would be cool.

[Moogfan]

Originally posted by VinylHanger
I remember one unit that played both sides without taking the album out, had a tray like a cd player. Kenwood or Sansui I believe. It was like 280 bucks in the mid '80's. I don't think I would put my vinyl through the pain though. But for fun it would be cool.

I think you may be thinking of this one:

http://www.audioasylum.com/audio/vinyl/messages/141592.html

[steamshooter]

WOW! Some of those are really neat :cool: A few are down right goofy looking! The rosewood base has to be my favorite. I remember a vertical job similar to the Mitsi similar to what e Think posted, but as a stand alone unit. I was living in small apartments at the time and thought it would be a real spacesaver. Not to mention pretty cool sitting beside a reel deck.
Brad

[car67]

Much nicer pic (of a different model Revox) thanks to another auction that eThink pointed out.

Yep, Revox also made some nice amps, tuners and of course, R2R.
wonder why no one here is collecting them. Not so available in the US?

Jack

[Fear3000]

Originally posted by eThink
The Mitsubishi Interplay X-10 system was made from 81-82 at a cost of 690 dollars.


I used to own a Mitsuishi LT-5V, which is very similar to the TT section of the X-10 shown in the pic. I had the LT-5V from '82-'85, and while I can't say that it was one of the better sounding 'tables I've heard, it sure looked good.

Best Wishes,
Felix

www.audioannex.com

[Brett]

Originally posted by car67
Yep, Revox also made some nice amps, tuners and of course, R2R.wonder why no one here is collecting them. Not so available in the US?

Jack

Hi Jack,

I bought a B795 out of the Trading Post on a whim last year. It was in absolutely beautiful mint condition. But compared to either of my good TTs, a Gyro and a Rock, it sounded, well, like pretty average. So I onsold it, much to the disgust of one of my housemates who thought it looked really great. I like the style of the Revox gear of that period, and the stuff is well made and usually reliable, but apart from their R2Rs and cassette decks, are not very good sounding. Note I'm being very polite. Put decent electronics in a B77 or PR99, and they sing.

I don't think there is the same sort of collector base in Oz as there is in other parts of the world. The Germans go ga-ga over Revox and the Yanks over Marantz gear (me too, to an extent), but there are few enthusiasts of any particular 'brands' here. More I find people like a particular item, say a Quad II rather than all Quads.

Cheers
Brett

[car67]

Hi Brett,

Yeah, I was just thinking how cool it would be too have a whole Revox system if one was a collector even though it may not sound that good. As you said, great styling and superb build.

Bit of a trading post junkie myself, where's paradise and how much was the B795? Just curious as I don't recall ever seeing one.

Anyhow, welcome to AK and hope you enjoy it here. it's fairly relaxed compared to some other sites. A few others from Oz and NZ hanging around here. Walt is in Sydney and I'm in Melbourne.

If your turntables are any indication, you must have a pretty serious system. If you get the chance to post some details in the Gallery, that would be cool. Like to hear more about the vinyl for sure! :)

cheers
Jack

[Brett]

Hi Jack,
Originally posted by car67
Yeah, I was just thinking how cool it would be too have a whole Revox system if one was a collector even though it may not sound that good. As you said, great styling and superb build.
I thought so too. I lusted after a lot of this stuff when I was younger, seeing all the glossy ads and brochures. Last year I had a fair collection; a B215 cassette, a B795 TT, a PR99 R2R and a B285 receiver. Now I only own the PR99, and I wish I'd kept the B215 (which shows up Naks as rubbish) but I only own a single cassette. Look great, built well, sound average and have way too many button for any audiophile credibility. :)

Bit of a trading post junkie myself, where's paradise and how much was the B795? Just curious as I don't recall ever seeing one.
When I used to buy the TP, my wallet would scream. Up here on the NSW North Coast, there's not much to buy. Though there is eBay.

The 795 cost $250, and I got $300 for it. There were a couple went in the TP about the same time. I bought a Thorens from a Sydney TP ad, and the guy showed me the Revox. I bargained him down enough so I took it. I don't think they sold very well because of the price. Bit too German techno B&O-ish for most people.

The Thorens has gone too. I want one of those monster 70's-80's Denon DD's next. Know of any?

Anyhow, welcome to AK and hope you enjoy it here. it's fairly relaxed compared to some other sites. A few others from Oz and NZ hanging around here. Walt is in Sydney and I'm in Melbourne.
Thanks for the welcome. I'll hang around for a while and see what its like here. Looks good so far.

If your turntables are any indication, you must have a pretty serious system. If you get the chance to post some details in the Gallery, that would be cool. Like to hear more about the vinyl for sure! :)
I like the system, but it's going through a major upgrade and purge at the moment. Around Xmas it should be done, and I'll post some pix then.
Vinyl rigs at this time are
Gyro with SAEC 407/23 (ceramic and al headshells) and Denon 103D.
Townshend Rock, Excaliber arm, Merlin PSU with Garrott Decca.
I have a new SME10 arm and Denon 103S to fit to the Gyro as the second arm, but I've been offered a modest price for the SAEC (still negotiating) so I might sell it. I have another NIB Decca, and some Win Labs SDT-10 strain guage carts, as well as assorted 'spares'.

What's your vinyl rig?

Cheers
Brett

PS: I like your avatar. I had that as a poster at one time.

[eThink]

Bang & Olufsen Beogram 5500 B&O Turntable.

Used MMC2 Cartridge.

Speeds at 33/45 RPM with repeat play.

DIN plug to other B&O equipment and standard 110v electric.

Sold for $305 on ebay (21 bids)

[eThink]

Mitsubishi linear tracking turntable.

It is fully automatic. play, stop, and cue.

Belt-drive.

Sold for $114 on ebay (8 bids)

[eThink]

REVOX B790 DIRECT DRIVE LINEAR TURNTABLE

[eThink]

DIRECT DRIVE VERTICAL TURNTABLE.

PLAYs BOTH LP'S AND 45'S

[eThink]

This "TECHNICS" Turntable came in the original box with the Styrofoam and Owner's Manual.

Sold for $75 on ebay (7 bids)

[eThink]

Linear Tracking Direct Drive Turntable with Realistic (by Audio Technica) Magnetic Cartridge

[car67]

Ethink,

Cool pics and I think that as the Mitsu that Thor "wanted".;)

Brett,

That's funny cos the "B" series is the one I would want and you've already been there and done that! That's an awesome rig you've got there. Would like to hear it one day as I never heard the Rock before. Oh, I read somewhere that SAEC is popular in the Japan market?. I'm quite a fan of the Denon 103 myself.

My rigs:
Modded Yamaha YP450/RB300/Denon 103
Thorens TD160S/AT 1100/Stanton 881S
Sansui SR222MkII/Grado Green - I have a big weakness for Sansui gear!
Supex 901S just retipped by Garrot Bros which I tried to mount on the Thorens but no go.:(

Re the avatar, it came from some mags off ebay recently and I scanned the ad. Can send the full size can to you if you like.

cheers
Jack

[Moogfan]

Car67,

I've seen the Sansui SR-222 for sale on Ebay as well as audiogon (overpriced tho at the latter site), and actually bid on one (got outbid as usual). I didn't know there was a "MkII" version of it, the ones I've seen are all fully manual belt drive. How's it sound? :)

I recently almost won a Sony PS-X50 on Ebay... got outbid tho (again... AGGGHH). I really wanted one of these (on the fly adjustable VTA tonearm!). Maybe I'll run into another. Here's a picture of one minus the headshell (sorry it's off-topic to this thread, this baby is such a beauty I can't resist). Direct drive, weighs maybe 30 Lbs.

[car67]

Moogfan,

The MkII is also a manual belt-drive and although I never heard the MkI, which was meant to be good, the MkII was said to be significant improvement. The MkII was widely recommended in the Brit Audio mags in the late 70's and early 80's as a good budget deck and possibly nudging the Rega 2 in performance. It' a great little TT and very musical and sounds good with the Grado. Here's a pic of it below.
I got it off ebay and had it shipped from the UK :eek: but it got here (Oz) in one piece - well, you know what I mean.:)

Too bad about the auction of the Sony. I'm sure there'll be others. Were you also going for a Thorens?

cheers
Jack

[michael w]

Hi Car67,

That's the monkey off an old Linn Products ad ?


cheerio

[car67]

Michael,

yeah, it's a good one! :)

Jack

[Moogfan]

Originally posted by car67
Moogfan,

The MkII is also a manual belt-drive and although I never heard the MkI, which was meant to be good, the MkII was said to be significant improvement. The MkII was widely recommended in the Brit Audio mags in the late 70's and early 80's as a good budget deck and possibly nudging the Rega 2 in performance. It' a great little TT and very musical and sounds good with the Grado. Here's a pic of it below.
I got it off ebay and had it shipped from the UK :eek: but it got here (Oz) in one piece - well, you know what I mean.:)

Too bad about the auction of the Sony. I'm sure there'll be others. Were you also going for a Thorens?

cheers
Jack
The MkII looks significantly better to me than the MkI (that is, probably by a wide margin). Infact someone on the Audioasylum board said the MkI was near "bottom of the line" price-wise when it was sold. Has a nice clean design tho.

Re: Thorens... someone I met thru Ebay offered to send me a TD-160 for the price of shipping + professional packing (probably will be about $55.00) & said I don't have to pay until I receive it... not too bad a deal, especially if it's in good condition. Thing is, it has no headshell & I'm on the hunt for one. Somebody else did offer one, but they haven't answered any of my followup Emails... I'll probably try another 'wanted' ad on Audiogon.

[car67]

Moogfan,

I checked the specs for both the MkI and MkII and have to say I can't see where there are any differences.:dunno: And "bottom-of-line pricing" applied to the MkII as well. However, I would not use that as a guide as to how it performs. The SR222 line was designed with sound quality only in mind and that's why they left out all other features that would otherwise have made it more expensive.

Good luck with the Thorens and hope it works out. :)

cheers
Jack

[Moogfan]

Originally posted by car67
Moogfan,

I checked the specs for both the MkI and MkII and have to say I can't see where there are any differences.:dunno: And "bottom-of-line pricing" applied to the MkII as well. However, I would not use that as a guide as to how it performs. The SR222 line was designed with sound quality only in mind and that's why they left out all other features that would otherwise have made it more expensive.

Good luck with the Thorens and hope it works out. :)

cheers
Jack
Thanks, I hope it works out with the Thorens too. If not, maybe I'll consider looking for a Sansui SR-222 again. :D

The specs on the 222 aren't that great (particularly wow/flutter), but specs never seem to indicate much. And they go cheaper than the direct-drive Sony PS-X50's (I'm not a fan of direct drive, except the PS-X50 is supposedly 'direct drive done properly [tm]).

[Brett]

Originally posted by car67
That's funny cos the "B" series is the one I would want and you've already been there and done that! That's an awesome rig you've got there. Would like to hear it one day as I never heard the Rock before. Oh, I read somewhere that SAEC is popular in the Japan market?. I'm quite a fan of the Denon 103 myself.
I hope you won't let my experiences of the B series Revox stuff put you off. It might really float your boat, and the amps might be better on lower efficiency speakers. Almost all sand amps except true classA (blister your hand on the heatsink amps) sound vile on really high eff speaks.

About Christmas, or after, when I have it all dialled in, you're welcome to come and have a listen if you're in the area.

I have a high price in mind for the SAEC, as I'm the original owner, I still have the box and it's perfect. Might get it.

The Denon's are rippers. Amazing that a 40yo cartridge is still held in such high regard. Best of all the 'C' is only about $A230 new.

My rigs:
Modded Yamaha YP450/RB300/Denon 103
Thorens TD160S/AT 1100/Stanton 881S
Sansui SR222MkII/Grado Green - I have a big weakness for Sansui gear!
Supex 901S just retipped by Garrot Bros which I tried to mount on the Thorens but no go.:(
Interesting rigs. I have no recollection of the Yamaha, but the Rega and Denon I know of course. I see you posted above that you got the Sansui from the UK via mail. Still looks very good, they obviously packed it well. ParcelForce have a big reputation for damaging things and not being very eager to pay up. I sold a TT and sent it to Central America recently, all dismantled, triple boxed, extensive foam and styro. When it got there it looked like it had been run over by a truck, but inside the box it was still unmarked. Lucky, he wouldn't pay for insurance as he'd get taxed too much if I declared the correct value.

Did you get your Supex retipped by the late Brian and John, or Philipe at Tivoli? I'm interested as I was contemplating sending a couple of carts down there to be refreshed, and I'm looking to hear other people's experiences of Tivoli's work. J&B were masters, and I still wish they were here to do them.

And don't worry, the weakness for Sansui gear can now be cured by an extensive course of electroshock therapy and drugs.

Re the avatar, it came from some mags off ebay recently and I scanned the ad. Can send the full size can to you if you like.
I'd like a copy, thanks. I'll send you a private mail shortly with my email addy to hide it from the spambots.

Cheers
Brett

[car67]

Hi Brett,

Oh yeah, if I come across any of the B series at a good price I might just be tempted. My speakers are KEF 104ab's - not the most efficient around. ;)

Thanks for the offer to drop in. I have no plans to visit the area but you never know. I've heard it's nice ( guessing the locality).

I just got the Supex back last week. It was via Tivoli but done by a guy in Sydney who was trained by the brothers. Philipe inspected the cart first and got it confirmed by the guy as well that the cart was in good enough condition to warrant a retip - its first ever. My Denon was retipped by John Garrot and he was really nice to deal with. I wish he was still here too. It is a real tragedy.

Sorry I can't tell you more about the result on the Supex because I am having a bugger of a time mounting it. Don't want to do it on the Rega cos I can't adjust the VTA, can't align it on the AT1100 (cart body too long) and too heavy on the Sansui. :( But watch this space. I'll get it on the Rega eventually or get another arm for the Thorens.

The guy who sold me the Sansui followed all my packing instructions except he didn't double box!:eek: But he used a foam injection machine and I have to say it worked really well. And the carrier was Parcelforce! It arrived with only a small dint on it. Guess I was just lucky.

cheers
Jack