• Please note that there are a few updates and clarifications made in the Audiokarma Rules, mostly relating to advertising and the addition of the new "Paying it Forward" & "Giving back" forums in the AudioKarma Audio Marketplace section.

Belt Drive Changers - A List Please

Pete B

Pete B

AK Member
Subscriber
My cousin is interested in playing LPs on a changer like she did in her youth.
I had a Garrard idler drive changer also as a kid and remember that when I built some
big TLs with deep bass the rumble became very loud. I'm looking for a list of belt
drive changers .... anyone?

A friend mentioned the BIC 940 ... anything else?
https://www.vinylengine.com/turntable_reviews.php?make=BIC&model=940

Comments good or bad are also welcome, does it need frequent maintenance, does
it track well and at low force?

I have a KLH all in one model 30 that I might drop a much nicer belt drive changer into,
that would be very cool.
 
Last edited:
Register to hide this ad
Obviously, the VTA changes as the stack of records on the platter grows and I've
read that a conical tip tracks better over a wider range of VTA. Is there any
truth to this?
 
Exact VTA angle is way overstated. My list includes all BIC models from the original 900 series - 1000, 981, 980, 960, 940, 920 to the VIA series to the Z series. The original 900 series were the best, in my opinion. I can turn my system up as loud as I want (and that is LOUD) and rumble doesn't even enter as a factor.

Doug
 
With a belt drive I agree no rumble but are you using a BIC or a rim drive with an idler?
Are you saying that you have a changer in your system?
 
BSR Quanta changers used a belt drive. I am not recommending them as I've never run one, but they are belt drive changers.

I have a BIC 960 that is a nice machine. It has a small thing you press on the headshell that changes the angle on the cart for single play or stacking.

My 960 thrust bearing was noisy with the heavy oil (way lube) I used. I ended up applying some really thin lithium grease on it and it's been good for a while now.
 
Pete B said:
With a belt drive I agree no rumble but are you using a BIC or a rim drive with an idler?
Are you saying that you have a changer in your system?
Click to expand...

Currently and usually, I am using a BIC 1000, BIC 980, and BIC912C in my systems and they are all "changers". BIC called them "multiple play manual turntables" at the time because their specs certainly bettered the typical changers and matched or bettered most of the manual tables of the day.

Idler drives are fine but, as you discovered, rumble is much more likely with one. They require much closer attention to be sure everything is just so to avoid rumble (making sure the idler is absolutely perfect, for example).

I use a Dual 1019 to play 78's and they sound great on it but if I play 33's or 45's on it, I can hear that subtle noise in the background and it muddies the high end a bit compared to my BIC's. The BIC's have a much cleaner presentation.

I have always thought that those who claim idler drive tables have more "body" to their sound are actually hearing that subtle background noise.

Doug
 
Don't forget the VM 1555 professional belt drive changer, actually lowered the record all the way down instead of dropping it and it stopped the platter until the record was lowered.
It was also sold under the Sherwood name as the SEL 100.
 
orthophonic said:
Don't forget the VM 1555 professional belt drive changer, actually lowered the record all the way down instead of dropping it and it stopped the platter until the record was lowered.
It was also sold under the Sherwood name as the SEL 100.
Click to expand...

That was a neat unit just in need of a bit of refinement.

Doug
 
Doug G. said:
Exact VTA angle is way overstated. My list includes all BIC models from the original 900 series - 1000, 981, 980, 960, 940, 920 to the VIA series to the Z series. The original 900 series were the best, in my opinion. I can turn my system up as loud as I want (and that is LOUD) and rumble doesn't even enter as a factor.

Doug
Click to expand...

Doug, is there a procedure either written or on Youtube that you find to be good for
maintaining the BIC turntables? I'm looking at a used 960 locally that has not been
serviced since it was put into storage decades ago.
 
Pete B said:
Doug, is there a procedure either written or on Youtube that you find to be good for
maintaining the BIC turntables? I'm looking at a used 960 locally that has not been
serviced since it was put into storage decades ago.
Click to expand...

They're wonderfully simple. The biggest issue is the platter bearing. Really if you find one that's been sitting, the platter should be frozen with zero play. The grease turned to glue. Forcing a stuck platter is possible fatal to the table, so one with play is very suspect.
 
BIC used a grease in the early series that could turn to glue. You can take everything apart (heat helps a lot) and clean it, but don't try forcing the platter to move if it is gummed up. You are more likely to rotate the bearing in its not exactly super robust staked/crimped support. You can always glue it back with superglue, but first orient it correctly or say goodbye to an changer functions.

But I think you are being excessively cautious about rumble - the better idler changers don't have a problem with it. I like the ELAC/Miracords, but the Dual 1019 has a distinct charm. And for the loony - that's me! - the BSR 810X has a very cool cam shaft mechanism that sometimes works very well.
 
And don't forget that there were direct drive changers - Technics made several very good ones, and MCS also sold one of the Technics under their name.
And isn't there a version of the Thorens 124 that changes records - literally? It doesn't just drop one on top of another, I think it removes one and puts another one on. Apparently they actually work(!). I think it was the 224.
 
Pete B said:
My cousin in interested in playing LPs on a changer like she did in her youth.
I had a Garrard idler drive changer also as a kid and remember that when I built some
big TLs with deep bass the rumble became very loud. I'm looking for a list of belt
drive changers .... anyone?

A friend mentioned the BIC 940 ... anything else?
https://www.vinylengine.com/turntable_reviews.php?make=BIC&model=940

Comments good or bad are also welcome, does it need frequent maintenance, does
it track well and at low force?

I have a KLH all in one model 30 that I might drop a much nicer belt drive changer into,
that would be very cool.
Click to expand...

Hello,

I know you asked about belt but I would have to recommend Technics SL 1650 Direct Drive for consideration. If you can find one with the stacker spindle. It has the Technics performance, reliability, and the benefit of lots of donor parts.

I think it might be hard to find one though.

Good luck
 
Pete B said:
Doug, is there a procedure either written or on Youtube that you find to be good for
maintaining the BIC turntables? I'm looking at a used 960 locally that has not been
serviced since it was put into storage decades ago.
Click to expand...

The manuals, both user and service, are available on the Vinyl Engine site. Although not extremely detailed, the service manual does provide descriptions of the operation of the mechanism and lubrication guide.

There are YouTube videos (many based on my information, if I do egotistically say, myself :D) showing procedures on BICs. A search will reveal them.

Also, you can always ask here for advice. I have many years experience with BICs.

One more thing. BIC didn't lubricate the spindle bearing with grease. They used 90 weight molybdenum gear oil as used in automotive differentials. They used it for damping the bearing. I have actually begun using it again after years of using 20 - 30 weight motor oil.

Doug
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom