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Turntables with track select?

C

Combwork

Super Member
I'm trying to find out how many manufacturers made vinyl decks with track select. So far I've come up with four:
Pioneer PL-88FS. Single play front loader.
Optonica. (don't know the model number). Single play top loader.
BSR/ADC `Accutrac'. Single play top loader and multi play (6 disc) autochange. The autochange version lets the user make selections from up to six records with a maximum of 20+ selections stored and played in order of selection.
Laser Turntable (ELP). Single play front loader. As far as I know the ELP machine is unique in that it uses lasers both to track select and play; it has no surface contact with the record. It's also the only `track select' deck still in production. Interestingly, prior to 1989 it appears to have been developed, at least in prototype form by Finial in the USA. In 1989, CTI Japan (Formerly known as BSR Japan, itself wholly owned by BSR U.K.) acquired all rights to it and developed it further. Made in Japan, first production models were marketed in 1991; end users included exports to the USA. A couple of years after starting production, ELP changed its name to the WEL Corporation.

That's pretty much all the information I have. Seeburg made domestic players that stored fifty 12" LP's. With A and B sides they could hold up to 100 selections in memory but they played complete sides only; no ability to track select. Any information added to the above would be much appreciated, thanks.
 
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Technics made a few linear trackers that let you program what tracks you want to hear. I own a programable Technics SL-J33 that works well.

Bill from Indy
 

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Bill said:
Technics made a few linear trackers that let you program what tracks you want to hear. I own a programable Technics SL-J33 that works well.

Bill from Indy
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Nice looking deck:yes: . Must have been quite a small window between the first programmable record decks being marketed and Sony droping a large spanner in the works with the CDP 101 in 1982.
 
I have a Pioneer PL-X9 that allows you to select and/or program tracks. Interesting TT with a drop-down front door and a mechanized glide out deck. Unfortunately, it needs repair.
 
Technics SL-Q6

I have a Technics SL-Q6. It is on my main system because my wife like the push button simplicity of it. It sound good too (better than my older TT for sure). It sells on ebay regularly. You can see picture of one on ebay item # 280102918248.

When you press a track number the linear tracking makes a pass over the whole record to memorize where the tracks. It then gors back to the begining and then to the track wanted. It is not a particularly fast process nor in the case of my unit particularly precise.

I think it is adjustable but I dont use the track selection per say really. I use the arrows to position the cartridge wherever I want.

What I dont like about this particular unit is the fact that you cant get the platter to spin with cover open so as to clean the disc.

As soon as I get a base for it, the Dual 1209 is taking its place.

BTW I got mine used and "broken" the linear tracking tiny belt was broken. I bought a bunch or round ring whaser of different sizes and found one that fit perfectly. The whole repair costed me like $2.

Sansui made some models like this too including an auto reverse one like the P-M90. You can see one on Ebay item # 130102685886.

Greg
 
One more for you: the Sharp RP-117. This one came complete with random access keys numbered 0-9. Felt more like a CD player than a turntable.
 
colortrakker said:
One more for you: the Sharp RP-117. This one came complete with random access keys numbered 0-9. Felt more like a CD player than a turntable.[/QUOTE]

Thanks people,

This is amazing, I had no idea there were so many track selecting decks out there. I guess it makes sense, the first manufacturer to get a practical design to market wouldn't be on their own for long; I wonder who it was? My guess would be BSR. I came across the Accutrac + 6 in an advertisement in the November 1977 US copy of Playboy. Assuming that the 6 disc changer with its gentle rise and fall method of changing records came after the single disc player, they must have had their first track select decks on sale by the mid 70's at the latest.
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I have a Technics SL-Q6, too. Mine may need adjustment, but it is so slow that you could run out and get a cup of coffee before it finally plays the selected track. And I also dislike the fact that the tonearm and associated mechanics are in the dust cover--haven't figured out how to get it apart. But it is compact, I'll say that.
 
I had an ADC Accutrac back in the '70s. The auto-tracking feature started malfunctioning about an hour after the warranty was up, and nobody could fix it. I finally just disconnected the tonearm control mechanism and used it as a manual. It was a painfully expensive lesson on cheesy gadgetry.:sigh:
 
The Optonicas are the RP7100 and RP9100.

Then there's the Aiwa LP-3000 and Akai AP-L95C and, of course the other BSR variant of the Accutrac +6, the BSR Accglide XR60.

Incidentally, as my main deck is in bits for an arm transplant at the moment, my own Accutrac +6 has been pressed into service for daily use. Working very nicely and sounding surprisingly good so far, although i have to sit still as the overactive suspension system bounces like a kangaroo if i do anything silly like walking across the room.......:thumbsdn:
 
I have a Carrera LT-120. It has both Track Select and Programming capability. It works by IR, which is integral to the cartridge.
Though I don't use it often, I'd say it's about 98% accurate. It all depends on how the record was cut.
I think this TT is the same (rebrand) as the Vector Research VT-320.

-Wayne
 
Oh man. I bought the Accutrac when it first came out! It was a major purchase and I still remember the trip to downtown Calgary to pick it up. Considering I was only making about $700 a month in those days it was a chunk of change! Let's see... the equivalent these days would be something in the $3000 range which makes my Pro-Ject Xpression look like a bargain! It's all about perspective I guess.

I recall that it was fairly accurate as long as the between track spces were fairly wide. The optical technology was obviously based on being able to detect the flat spots. Slick when it worked though...

Frankly don't even remember how it sounded but for the day it was mega cool.
 
Speaking of Vector Research ...

Does any n body know of any specialized sites. I am looking schematics and remote control codes.

Greg
 
I have a Hitachi HT-W9 turntable that works like a laser disc player. The platter section slides out when you load the vinyl and there's a set of track selection buttons that you could program for random play.
 
sandawa said:
I have a Hitachi HT-W9 turntable that works like a laser disc player. The platter section slides out when you load the vinyl and there's a set of track selection buttons that you could program for random play.[/QUOTE]

When you say "works like a laser disc player", do you mean that it reads the groove with a laser, or just uses it to select tracks? The ELP Laser Turntable is still being made and claims to be the only deck to use a laser to read the disc as well as position the head. It has no stylus; no surface contact with the record. The makers claim that the laser seeks out that part of the groove wall that's least worn, so it can play records that are too worn or damaged to play with any conventional stylus. It's on my `wish' list:tongue:
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Technics SL-15

sl15a.jpg
 
I have the Technics SL-QL15 linear tracker. Uses an led to "read" track locations, stores in memory and plays tracks in sequence selected. It can be kind of finiky about reading the surface and locating tracks. Depends on surface reflectance and width of space between tracks. I rarely use it in the program mode, but it is a suprisingly good player.
 
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