Is there a consensus on linear tracking TT's?

[Ken Boyd]

Every LT table I have has adjustable VTF, VTA, and adjustable Azimuth. They all use standard cartridges not the P mount on some of the lesser tables. The tone arms are shorter because the design doesn't need to have a long tone arm as they don't have to sweep an arc. The need to have a long tone arm is to lessen the degree of the arc to limit the amount of tracking error due to misalignment. A good linear tracker doesn't allow much swing before the carriage advances to keep tracking as close to linear as possible. Maybe some people are misinformed on the better LT tables, the design and implementation of a LT doesn't effect cartridge output any differently than a regular Pivot table would.

 

[rnorton]

I'm not experienced enough to give a thoughtful opinion, so don't snap my head off and tell me I don't know what I'm talking about....I've already done that
But I've always been under the impression that linears were a neat idea which didn't live up to the real world needs. In other words, they're great if you want to spend a lot of time fiddling with the deck.

My Mitsubishi LT-20 and LT-22 have had close to zero fiddling time in 25-30 years and outperform the 15 or so other turntables that I've owned. No snapping meant.

 

[squirrelnest]

I have a Harman Kardon ST-8 linear tracking turntable that I use in one of my systems....works great

 

[Ken Boyd]

I own a Yamaha PX2, a Mitsubishi LT30, Phase Linear PL800 II, and in the past I owned a Technics with the P mount, and last and worse was a Sansui from a rack system. Other than some belts for the cueing, none of them have ever given me any trouble. The Sansui was the only one that I had quality issues with, the motor that transported the tonearm carriage, it was noisy.

 

[Todd Dodds]

Overall, it sounds purt near consensus to me, and certainly has piqued my interest.

 

[AdamAnt316]

The Rabco SL8E is a servo-driven arm, not mechanical.

Ray K

I'm aware of that, but it still uses mechanical microswitches to govern tangential movement, and they need to be adjusted from time to time. Other adjustments are needed (diabolo knob), and having a battery to replace adds an extra reliability factor. Most of the later linear TTs use optical sensors to govern arm movement, and generally much less adjustment is needed.
-Adam

 

[GYMusic]

I have always thought that since the original lacquer was cut with a lateral cutter, it should be played back with a lateral pickup, with the caveat that I'm not a fan of vinyl.

 

[HypnoToad]

My brother in law bought the Bang & Olufsen Beogram 4002 and it was a fine TT, I felt the only limiting factor was that you could only use B&O carts on it, would have loved to hear it with a high end MC cart.

 

[Ken Boyd]

I think some of those B & O carts are pretty good.

 

[HypnoToad]

I think some of those B & O carts are pretty good.

The B&O carts are excellent, I actually had a top of the line B&O cart (MMC-1) with an adapter on my regular TT, but the same cart sounded better on the 4002 linear tracker, so I would have loved to have heard some of the high end moving coil carts on it, which is impossible because of the way it's set up.

 

[808_state]

I wanna try one of these guys....



Seems like the best of both worlds.

 

[vinylrayk]

I'm aware of that, but it still uses mechanical microswitches to govern tangential movement, and they need to be adjusted from time to time. Other adjustments are needed (diabolo knob), and having a battery to replace adds an extra reliability factor. Most of the later linear TTs use optical sensors to govern arm movement, and generally much less adjustment is needed.
-Adam

I hear you. That’s why I retrofitted my SL8E with a continuous variable-speed photoelectric control system that eliminated all the problems you mentioned. Also added some refinements to the lift mechanism. Works great, but could never be mass produced.

Ray K

 

[Pio1980]

I wanna try one of these guys....

View attachment 1109848

Seems like the best of both worlds.

I wanna try one of these guys....

View attachment 1109848

Seems like the best of both worlds.

I wanna try one of these guys....

View attachment 1109848

Seems like the best of both worlds.

http://klaudio.com/tangential-tonearm-12-inch-equivalent-kd-arm-mp12

https://www.audionirvana.org/forum/the-audio-vault/analog-playback/tonearms/54328-new-from-klaudio

 

[Pio1980]

http://www.thevintageknob.org/pioneer-PL-L1.html
One of my bucket list wants is a Pioneer PL-L1, my upgraded PL-L1000 utility player will have to do.
http://www.thevintageknob.org/pioneer-PL-L1000.html

 

[Pio1980]

I've recently been inspired to revive one of my Technics SL-7 LTs since I have an assortment of ''P'' mount carts, including a microline retipped EPC-310MC.
Reputedly the best of the mini-LTs, and a worthy alternative to the ReVox Linatrack or the B&O LTs.

 

[808_state]

http://klaudio.com/tangential-tonearm-12-inch-equivalent-kd-arm-mp12

https://www.audionirvana.org/forum/the-audio-vault/analog-playback/tonearms/54328-new-from-klaudio

Only about 8500 kwackers

 

[Pio1980]

Only about 8500 kwackers

For that, I'd find a preowned ET-2 setup and spent the remaining balance on the rest of the system.

 

[Thunderbox]

I wanna try one of these guys....

View attachment 1109848

Seems like the best of both worlds.

Seems like this is not a solution but a problem waiting to happen. Too many moving pieces and places where wear could occur. It makes most LTs look simple in comparison and at what cost?

 

[808_state]

It makes most LTs look simple in comparison

Indeed it does.

 

[SpruceMoose]

The only issue I have had with my B&O LT was trying to play a record with a slightly off-center hole. I could hear the arm motor trying to keep up with the groove as it worked back and forth. I just swapped over to the other TT, a pivoted B&O.