Disabled User Turnable Choices

[MarkTalbot]

i've searched but perhaps this question has been discussed and I haven't found it.
I have peripheral nerve damage but truly enjoy the sound of vintage vinyl. I'm looking at VPI turntables and seek experience with their gimbal-type tone-arms as well as other quality manufacturers products. Does anyone with tremors or other similar disabilities who love vinyl have experience they can share when choosing a turntable?

 

[tjohnusa]

I would think something fully automatic would be your best choice. This would prevent you from handling the tonearm, assuming you listen to full sides each time.

 

[4-2-7]

Something like this would work really good for you I'm sure. Mid 80s auto turntable built to compete with CD players of the time. It really does function like one with skipping and track programing


Pioneer PL- 88FS, The only thing it doesn't have is a Remote Control.
http://audiokarma.org/forums/index....ng-it-doesnt-have-is-a-remote-control.730760/

 

[elcoholic]

Any number of B&O tables will provide, IMO, the best service for you. They have excellent suspension and are fully automatic. The linear trackers allow track selection at the push of a button. There is no tedious fiddling with cartridge alignment, just plug it in to the arm. The down side for many is the cost of the cartridges which are available from Soundsmith. The upside is that they sound as good or better than most conventional 1/2" mount cartridges in the same price range. As with all makes there are models to avoid as well as the ones to get. This applies mostly to the linear trackers due to their complexity.

 

[weinstro]

Another recommendation might be Revox. But, cartridge mounting is very fiddly (if you lack fine motor skills then you will need the help of a friendly shop), and this turntable works better with high compliance cartridges. Similar push button cueing like the B&O.

 

[KentTeffeteller]

i've searched but perhaps this question has been discussed and I haven't found it.
I have peripheral nerve damage but truly enjoy the sound of vintage vinyl. I'm looking at VPI turntables and seek experience with their gimbal-type tone-arms as well as other quality manufacturers products. Does anyone with tremors or other similar disabilities who love vinyl have experience they can share when choosing a turntable?

I'd recommend something more forgiving than a Unipivot tonearm. Can you operate a manual turntable? If you can, the Technics SL 1200 would be a superb choice, which is reasonably forgiving in handling. And resistant to footfall. An automatic single play Japanese turntable is very worth considering as an option which has cartridge choices and uses 1/2" mount. Also, a good rugged broadcast cartridge is very recommended. I live with Cerebral Palsy and Spina Bifida and have spasticity, so have experience with your situation somewhat.

 

[mhardy6647]

I would think that something like the (then) groundbreaking Technics SL-10 might be ideal.

https://www.vinylengine.com/library/technics/sl-10.shtml

I do not know how reliable or robust these were -- I also don't know how they've held up, or if they're affordable (much less restoreable) at this late date.
I did have a later, lesser SL-5 for a while (later given to a friend of my son's); it was easy to use and worked well.



b&o made some elegant and fairly user-friendly tts in their prime; some of these (e.g., the TX-2) are a bit delicate, though -- and cartridge choices today are extremely limited (albeit good). I still keep a b&o TX-2 "on deck" upstairs, although it is used very infrequently.



TX-2 by Mark Hardy, on Flickr

 

[pfcs49]

I heartily endorse the B&O tangentials.
They are ergonomically excellent!
Most of the 80s automatic linear trackers would probably suffice.
They're also great for heavy drinkers! I quit in 83, but thanks to B&O, my vinyl made it too!

PS: I'm in a wheelchair since 1995. The LTs certainly help when you can't stand over the table.