Another Linear Turntable

[JohnVF]

My LT-20 will not track bad warps. The short arm just can't deal with it. I suppose a heavy clamp would help flatten discs, but I'm not using the table anymore.

Llike any turntable, much of the reason the LT-20 impressed me probably had to do with it's build quality as much as it's arm technology. It's a very heavy, well built table. I agree with dkelley...any table has to be properly isolated, and not be a source of it's own vibration problems.

 

[dkelley]

one thing I'm doing now that I've decided to make my akai the center of my vinyl universe (until a px-2 lands in my lap or something like that LoL) is looking into building a properly made plinth for it with some separation like spring suspension ala Dual's offerings. That will I think make a big difference.

Also should look good.

I have a new AK friend locally who I think would do the veneer work for me very professionally.

 

[koseltri]

A sandbox is probably the cheapest way for a first-time amatuer like you (or me ) to start down that path--a box, sand, and a piece of tile is about it. Heck, even the shot glass/handball trick is very effective. Springs are something I personally would leave to the experts.

 

[dkelley]

A sandbox is probably the cheapest way for a first-time amatuer like you (or me ) to start down that path--a box, sand, and a piece of tile is about it. Heck, even the shot glass/handball trick is very effective. Springs are something I personally would leave to the experts.

yea I'm worried about the springs concept too, however if dual can mass produce it... well I'm not German but I'm a decent engineer anyway. however I'm terrible with actual physical building of stuff...

sand scares me... I don't want sand in my home, especially not with my clumsiness and my 3 kids and a dog... LoL

but I see where you're going with the suggestion. I want easy, and good, and clumsy/kid/dog proof.

 

[Harvey/ Ga]

Your proceedure is exactly what I might expect with an arm that is fixed relative to the spindle/platter. Is the shop where you got your table set up the shop in Marietta?

My arm, a Souther, came with a plastic alignment line (poor description) that fits over the spindle. It doesn't matter where you have mounted the arm just that it lowers dead on the line at both the outside and inside positions. That guarantees that the stylus scribes a radius.

The shop is in Marietta...Audio Atlanta. I lived in Marietta 11 years ago, about 3 miles from the shop. Dunno if it was there then.

 

[HypnoToad]

Well I pulled the dust cover off the SL-7 exposing the little rubber belt and the belt is shot completely.

It's twisted and an oval shape, much too big to make anything turn at all. So hopefully this is all that's wrong with it.

I turned the worm gear by hand and the tonearm moves back and forth easily.

Anyone know where I can get another belt?

What oil would I use to lubricate it?

 

[JohnVF]

Well I pulled the dust cover off the SL-7 exposing the little rubber belt and the belt is shot completely.

It's twisted and an oval shape, much too big to make anything turn at all. So hopefully this is all that's wrong with it.

I turned the worm gear by hand and the tonearm moves back and forth easily.

Anyone know where I can get another belt?

I've never dealt with these people, just popped up when I googled:

http://www.elexatelier.com/technics.htm

just a few down on the list, SL-7 arm belt.

 

[the-real-mandak]

so, are linear trackers good then? I just don't like the look of them really.

With linear trackers it's just like with "normal" TT's, some are good and some are not that good. In thereoy they are better than the rest, since there is no tracking error since using the same angel as the cutter head - all the time. In reality it issn't like that, there will alwayes be some tracking error depending on the control system of the arm. On top of this there is also the noise created by the moving of the arm, but on the good linear tables this is not a real issue.

Regarding the design I would point to the Yamaha PX-3 as one of the best looking tables, it do not sound as good as the PX-2 (the PX-1 is almost impossible to get hands on) but the design is more elegant and it is definitely not a bad table. A different design would be one of the B&O tables, only here you get into the problem with limited carts fitting to the arm.

PX-3

PX-2

B&O 8000

 

[Harvey/ Ga]

so, are linear trackers good then? I just don't like the look of them really.

I love my LT's. The PL-L1000 is a bit nicer looking (IMO) then the PX-3, but both are joys to watch in action (I'm a retired computer engineer)....but, then, I still enjoy the full-auto DP-EC-20 and the semi BL-61.

 

[Zeromancer]

I have some turntables that are nice but lately I am really liking the linear ones. I first got a Pioneer PL L1000 and use that as my main table. I just purchased a Technics SL J2 and love it. It sounds real good with the Sansui amp and man it is fun to use. It is all touch button operated and it is fun to just put the track in you want to hear and it works like a charm. It is also very small and seems to be fairly simple. Does anyone else like the linear tables?

I love my Panasonic SL-N15 Linear TT. I got it for a really good price and only had to buy a new cartridge/stylus for it.

 

[Harvey/ Ga]

Toad, Make sure you clean off and re-lubricate the tonearm rod and guide rail as part of your belt replacement. You will like it. And my PL-L1000 tracks warps you wouldn't believe. The 'close and play' types like most of the technics, or any type with the tonarm in the lid, are silicone-damped and don't do well with bad warps, since the arm can't 'react' fast enough.

Also, make SURE there's no paper clips or other small metal objects nearby.
Shortly after I got my PL-L1000, I heard a horrible grating sound when the arm returned to rest. I was getting ready to open it up when I saw a paper clip stuck (magnetically) to the bottom.

 

[diamondsouled]

so, are linear trackers good then? I just don't like the look of them really.

Have always liked the look of my Revox B-795. Especially since I only paid $5 for it and it doesn't require P mounts either.

Here's an interesting page with lots of info on linear tracking TTs:

http://www.soundfountain.com/amb/ttrabco.html

Cheers

Lar

 

[Nat]

Boy, the Yamaha arms shown look very much like the Mitsubishi LT arms. Wonder if the linear tables were largely made by CEC just as many japanese pivoted arm tables were.

 

[JohnVF]

Boy, the Yamaha arms shown look very much like the Mitsubishi LT arms. Wonder if the linear tables were largely made by CEC just as many japanese pivoted arm tables were.

I think Mitsubishi/Diatone made their own and I've read on the Vintage Knob that Micro Seiki built the Yamaha ones, though I don't know if Yamaha designed it or not. Going off of limited knowledge here, so take it with a grain of salt.

 

[misinformed]

I just recently got this MCS 6730 table that I am trying to get running. I pulled off the back and saw that the circuit board was labeled Technics. Is there a way I can match it to a similar Technics model for parts and the like?

 

[Balifly]

VintageTechnics web site has a section on linear trackers.
You may be able to match the model visually.
http://www.vintagetechnics.info/turntables.htm

 

[misinformed]

Interesting site! The MCS I have looks most like the L or Q models, but not exactly like any of them. Besides the power button on the left I have "Repeat, Cue, Start, Stop" on the right.

 

[Balifly]

VinylEngine's library has most of the Technics turntable manual.
There may be a model that is similar to yours.
You have to register first before you can download the manual.
http://www.vinylengine.com/library/Technics.shtml

 

[HypnoToad]

I've never dealt with these people, just popped up when I googled:

http://www.elexatelier.com/technics.htm

just a few down on the list, SL-7 arm belt.

Re: Technics SL-7

I ordered a new belt from LP Gear which funnily enough sent an invoice from the company you listed so they must be the same thing.

I could not wait though to try it out so I got an O ring of a similar size and voila the tonearm would move properly but not when playing a record only with the buttons on the front.

But after moving it back and forth with those a few times it played the records fine. I have put it up now until I get the new belt.

What's the best oil to lube the tonearm rails with?

This thing is really well made so hopefully it will go for a while yet.

It has an Ortofon TM-14 cartridge, I have a Grado Blue P Mount would this be better than the Ortofon?

 

[SA-708]

The Grado p-mounts are not known for meeting the p-mount standards, so it may not track at the correct VTF. I've had similar issues with the Ortofon TMs as well; the two I have weigh different amounts so will track at different VTF.

So my questions are:
1) Is the VTF adjustable on the SL-7? If it is, and you have a way to measure it and dial it in, then the above issues are moot.
2) Do you have a scale where you can measure the cartridge's weight in grams (with stylus & without stylus guard)? That will help answer questions about which will track at the better VTF, and give me figures to compare my Ortofon TMs and Grado Silver to.