Another Linear Turntable

[HypnoToad]

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.

The SL-7 has 3 settings, 1.0, 1.25 (factory set) & 1.5gms, its easy to change. But no way to dial it in. It assumes the cart weighs 6gms.

The listed weight of the Grado Blue is 5.5gms which is .5gms less than the standard 6.0gms for P mounts. So even if I change it to 1.5gms I am still in trouble.

I see an Ortofon X1-MCP with 6gms weight and 1.25gms VTF I wonder how they sound.

 

[koseltri]

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

I'm of the light oil type. For TT's, I've got some super stuff from Castrol (Lubecon 1/M) that's very thin (they call it thin/dry film) and has Molyebdenum Disulfide carried in it. They tout it as having a film strength of 100,000 psi.

http://www.castrol.com/liveassets/b...ocal_assets/downloads/l/am_lubecon_1m_tds.pdf

A very light coat of light oil, you want to avoid attracting dust. Sewing machine oil is a good choice. If you want the Castrol stuff, they have it in 1-oz. sample bottles, but don't sell then singly. If you call them up and sweet-talk 'em, they may send you a couple bottles gratis like they did with me. I first saw it when I visited a friend's workplace (he's a mech. engineer). It can't hurt to lube each of the pulleys in the stystem--any reduction of possible stiction is a good thing.

 

[choochin3]

Misinformed,
Your MCS linear looks just like my Technics SL-BL3,except mine has a speed pitch knob.

 

[SA-708]

The SL-7 has 3 settings, 1.0, 1.25 (factory set) & 1.5gms, its easy to change. But no way to dial it in. It assumes the cart weighs 6gms.

The listed weight of the Grado Blue is 5.5gms which is .5gms less than the standard 6.0gms for P mounts. So even if I change it to 1.5gms I am still in trouble.

I see an Ortofon X1-MCP with 6gms weight and 1.25gms VTF I wonder how they sound.

The listed weight for the Grado Prestige cartridges (p-mount and standard mount) is 5.5 grams, but my Grado Silver p-mount weighs in at 6.0 grams. I do bump up the tracking force to the suggested 1.5 grams when I use it. If you can, weight your Blue p-mount and see what it weights.

I have two Ortofon TM cartridge bodies. One is all ivory and marked 14 on the side and weighs 6 grams. The other has no number on the cartridge body, has a black plug on the back, and weighs 6.15 grams. I've had more success using a 10 stylus on them, than with an aftermarket 14 stylus I bought via eBay (which I suspect has issues). With your ability to raise the VTF to 1.5 grams, a new 10/20/30 stylus may be just the thing for your TM cartridge, instead of the harder-to-find 7 & 14 stylus meant for use on the TM at the lighter 1.25 gram VTF.

I also have an HOMC Ortofon X1-MCP which meets the p-mount standards and sounds great. There's a seller in Hong Kong that has them for a reasonable price, that I've purchased from several times (including my X1-MCP) with no problems. This is the only p-mount MC cartridge still in production, as far as I know.

 

[koseltri]

The listed weight for the Grado Prestige cartridges (p-mount and standard mount) is 5.5 grams, but my Grado Silver p-mount weighs in at 6.0 grams. I do bump up the tracking force to the suggested 1.5 grams when I use it. If you can, weight your Blue p-mount and see what it weights.

I have two Ortofon TM cartridge bodies. One is all ivory and marked 14 on the side and weighs 6 grams. The other has no number on the cartridge body, has a black plug on the back, and weighs 6.15 grams. I've had more success using a 10 stylus on them, than with an aftermarket 14 stylus I bought via eBay (which I suspect has issues). With your ability to raise the VTF to 1.5 grams, a new 10/20/30 stylus may be just the thing for your TM cartridge, instead of the harder-to-find 7 & 14 stylus meant for use on the TM at the lighter 1.25 gram VTF.

I also have an HOMC Ortofon X1-MCP which meets the p-mount standards and sounds great. There's a seller in Hong Kong that has them for a reasonable price, that I've purchased from several times (including my X1-MCP) with no problems. This is the only p-mount MC cartridge still in production, as far as I know.

Or for 20 bucks, order a Digtrac 200 NE p-mount and use it the way it is, or if it doesn't work, put the stylus on the 14 (it's a nude ellipitcal, hence the 'NE'), some of the best $80 I've ever spent, I got 4:

http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=257955&highlight=digitrac

 

[fastbike]

I thought the Digitrac trick only worked for the OM line of carts. If used on an OM-P, you will need to do some trimming beyond removal of the tab.

 

[dkelley]

anyone know if there's a canadian distributor of cartridges like these (nice quality p-mount carts)? I don't use credit cards (I know, I know... , and I hate trying to ship stuff into Canada (customs has at times held my purchases for weeks and even a couple months from ebay over the years). So I simply stopped purchasing online out of country or via mail order etc. Not practical for me or for many Canadians.

There are many Canadians on this site - maybe someone knows if I can buy something nice for my LT table without having to ship from out of country?

cheers,
Don

 

[mcdan]

Here's my linear contraption. TD-24 and a Rabco SL-8E. The Denon is now a Shure V-15 III. Love this thing.

 

[JohnVF]

Here's my linear contraption. TD-24 and a Rabco SL-8E. The Denon is now a Shure V-15 III. Love this thing.

Contraption is right! Looks awesome, and bet it sounds pretty impressive. The momentum of a big motor, idler, and linear tracker? Vinyl heaven!

 

[mcdan]

It sounds great. Tracks anything vinyl. I have an elliptical, conical, and 78 stylus for the pickup.

 

[koseltri]

I thought the Digitrac trick only worked for the OM line of carts. If used on an OM-P, you will need to do some trimming beyond removal of the tab.

I think they fit the TM 14 just like an OM. It certainly looks like it does:

 

[mcdan]

a better picture

Here's are some recent photos of this beast.

 

[Susurus]

There's a small screw just below the arm pivot on the lid that adjusts VTF in my SL-10. I expected the 7 to be the same but there's only 3 settings instead of a variable screw?

Koseltri loaned me his cool digital scale, and I measured the SL-10 by turning it off while playing then inserting the scale under it. I did remove the top window.

Decided that my PL-1000 vs. PX-3 shootout notes was getting too OT so it's on a new thread.

 

[SA-708]

I think they fit the TM 14 just like an OM. It certainly looks like it does:

It will require the removal of some plastic, from the stylus assembly or the cartridge: http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showpost.php?p=2248362&postcount=19

 

[misinformed]

Misinformed,
Your MCS linear looks just like my Technics SL-BL3,except mine has a speed pitch knob.

Thanks for the response! I should have mentioned that my table is direct drive. I looked at pictures and manuals all night last night and the closest match I could find was the SL-QL5. Apart from the different cover and the fact that the QL5's manual shows a different type of 45 adapter it seems the same otherwise in terms of circuit placement and same set of button features. I am going to take it in to a repair shop next week to see if it can be fixed so maybe they will know a little more about it.

 

[dkelley]

It sounds great. Tracks anything vinyl. I have an elliptical, conical, and 78 stylus for the pickup.

wow, I LOVE that thing. exactly what I have in mind for mine. I'm sort of thinking that I shouldn't sell my 1215 for $30 now, instead I should keep the plinth (which likely means I won't be selling any of the rest of it either...) and use the nice heavy wooden plinth with my akai LT. but the amount of work involved still sounds pretty big...