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Transcriptor Hydraulic Reference Turntable. High Maintence Beauty or Reasonable Daily Driver ?

Should I buy this and expect to use it without going broke trying to maintain it?

  • yes

    Votes: 3 30.0%

  • no

    Votes: 3 30.0%

  • Don't miss the opportunity to pick one of these audio sculptures.

    Votes: 4 40.0%
  • Total voters
    10
  • Poll closed .
nikmills

nikmills

New Member
I have an opportunity to pick uptt.jpg a pretty clean Transcriptor Hydraulic Reference Turntable. It's not the straight arm but apparently all stock original with the bent bar feet, not the three pod feet. It's under $1000. Been in storage for 30+ years. I assume I'll need new belts at a minimum.

I love it for its beauty alone. Just wondering if anyone can attest to the 'usage value' of this unit. Is it a easy driving Honda or a troublesome Jaguar? Not that I'd avoid a Jag altogether. I just want to know what I'm getting myself into - potentially. Are there known common design flaws and irreplaceable parts?

Thanks!
 
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nikmills said:
I love it for its beauty alone. Just wondering if anyone can attest to the 'usage value' of this unit. Is it a easy driving Honda or a troublesome Jaguar? Not that I'd avoid a Jag altogether. I just want to know what I'm getting myself into - potentially. Are there known common design flaws and irreplaceable parts?

Thanks!
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Honda S2000 6 speed manual shift.

Great enjoyment for the experienced and good learner. :naughty:
 
Well for the bad, what the hell is splattered all over it, I'd want to know if that washes off the Aluminum before I paid a grand for it.

It looks like it still has a good dustcover, it has the add on stylus brush, most only have the record dust brush that I'v seen sell for $150 alone. Don't know why they needed the Dust Bug. The 3009 Series II Improved non removable head is missing the anti skate parts.

Make sure it's a US model that runs on 110, and it will drive like a Honda, and I'd offer $800, if it was all cleaned up and serviced as a plug-n-play then their price is right.
 
There's a crack in the right front corner of the dustcover. :mad:.
I will make sure I can get the stains off the platter. I enjoy a good polishing session.

They say it has a normal US plug on it. I'll test that for sure. She claims it was purchased in England and ran there with a transformer. But that doesn't seem right. For sure I'll test that aspect of it.

So am I to understand this the 3009 Series ? And that it's missing anti-skate parts ? Does that mean skating issue are likely?

I think it's just so iconic and beautiful. I want it as sculpture, but I like avoiding paperweights and doorstop sculpture.

Thanks for the help.


tt6.jpg tt5.jpg tt4.jpg tt3.jpg
 
nikmills said:
I enjoy a good polishing session.
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It's anodized aluminum, it's not a case of a simple polishing, it's a cooked in finish that is a bitch to remove. The spots could have stained the finish.

nikmills said:
She claims it was purchased in England and ran there with a transformer. But that doesn't seem right.
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I agree that doesn't sound right and quiet the opposite one would think. Get a phone app for platter speed and do a test, there is no pitch control so it needs to be kinda close even with a worn belt. I don't know how the built in strob works The top smooth silver knob is the switching control for 33.3 and 45 speed, the lower nerled one is a magnetic switch for on and off.

nikmills said:
So am I to understand this the 3009 Series ? And that it's missing anti-skate parts ? Does that mean skating issue are likely?
Click to expand...
SME 3009 Series II Improved, non removable head shell, the anti-skate parts don't cost all that much maybe $60 and are available. you need them

nikmills said:
I think it's just so iconic and beautiful. I want it as sculpture, but I like avoiding paperweights and doorstop sculpture.
Click to expand...

It's a good simple table, I have a Focus One in my collection and have sold many tables, I like it for it's simplicity.
 
This video does a good job of breaking down the components of this table.
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According to this video 'my' unit is missing its bias weight. Is that the anti-skating component of which you speak?
I've written to http://www.transcriptorslimited.com/ to ask about parts. Where else might I get the needed parts for this unit?

Anodized is a hassle, agreed. It looks like someone was eating Spaghetti Bolognese while changing records.
 
BTW if you get it, I'll link you to the UK eBay sound and vision, thats their Consumer Electronics.

It's a lot easier to find parts there than here, you just got to find someone who doesn't mind shipping.
 
4-2-7 said:
BTW if you get it, I'll link you to the UK eBay sound and vision, thats their Consumer Electronics.

It's a lot easier to find parts there than here, you just got to find someone who doesn't mind shipping.
Click to expand...

Thanks. I'll see it tomorrow. It's interesting how they deal with the Hz. issue. Clever.

I'm catching on. The TT and the tonearm are a different species of manufacturer. Therefore the weight, or at least its guide, are found on ebay under SME 3009, not Transcriptor. http://www.ebay.com/itm/SME-3009-30...456751?hash=item33d5551baf:g:Pf4AAOSw-RRXBxvr.

I see some very exotic arms for this thing, too. I like the one it has, but I could see changing that out one day for an exotic one.
 
nikmills said:
According to this video 'my' unit is missing its bias weight. Is that the anti-skating component of which you speak?
Click to expand...
Yes and the wire mount with the little puly wheel on it.
This table has pitch control that my Focus One doesn't and your also golden withe the voltage switching.
 
nikmills said:
Thanks. I'll see it tomorrow. It's interesting how they deal with the Hz. issue. Clever.

I'm catching on. The TT and the tonearm are a different species of manufacturer. Therefore the weight, or at least its guide, are found on ebay under SME 3009, not Transcriptor. http://www.ebay.com/itm/SME-3009-30...456751?hash=item33d5551baf:g:Pf4AAOSw-RRXBxvr.

I see some very exotic arms for this thing, too. I like the one it has, but I could see changing that out one day for an exotic one.
Click to expand...
This one is the correct one
http://www.ebay.com/itm/SME-3009-30...631860&hash=item1eae7df3f7:g:wVIAAOSwGYVXCT-k

and this weight
http://www.ebay.com/itm/SME-3009-30...489145&hash=item542cec363a:g:~OMAAOSwMvtZTk~s

They sell blank boards for the table so any 9 inch arm can be mounted. I'm a big SME fan boy so if you want better arms than that one, SME still has you covered with the same mount hole.

My Focus One with the same 3009 arm

IMG_1691_zps7c2c4441.jpg IMG_1358_zpsb7cd9863.jpg IMG_1341_zps54e17c0a.jpg

But here you can see a SME 309 arm on the table, it is a current and more modern arm, it also makes the table look newer. One thing about the Michell tables they are timeless. The 309 arm cost more than what your table does.

IMG_2208.JPG IMG_2205.JPG IMG_2204.JPG
 
So a common price for the SME 3009 Series II Improved, non removable head shell, is $450
So lets say $400 because of the missing parts that are going to cost you $50.

That puts the Transcriptor Hydraulic Reference at $600 which is cheaper than I have seen them in the states.
 
Nice table there. Nice upgraded arm.
I think I'm in if I can remedy the stains. I love the idea of choosing another arm down the road. And it's great that I can get the parts needed without too much hassle. Thanks for those leads.

The issue of the dust cover : Most replacements I've seen for other TTs look rather clumsy. It would have to be a perfect replica for me to bother replacing it.
 
nikmills said:
So I could go out and purchase the removable head model, the 3012, and simply replace mine if parts became a problem - or I just insisted on the removable head shell ans felt like spending yet another $300. Happens there's one available here: http://www.ebay.com/itm/SME-3012-Se...909180?hash=item33c778b6bc:g:lfsAAOSwx2dYIzFP. Still I'll see about the stains first.
Thanks for your help.
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No the 3012 is a 12 inch arm, the table has to use a 9 inch arm like the 3009. They made the 3009 in both removable and non removable head shells. You can get any part that the 3009 needs, and from the photos isn't much.
 
nikmills said:
The issue of the dust cover : Most replacements I've seen for other TTs look rather clumsy. It would have to be a perfect replica for me to bother replacing it.
Click to expand...
The dust cover looked in good shape, except for a tinny crack, again if needed UK eBay will get you table parts
 
As usual with this stuff I'm getting carried away quickly. Tomorrow will tell. Great to know I can get the parts I need. I'll report back. Dealing so often with precious old stuff (like motorcycles), it's really nice to know parts are available! Thanks for clearing up the 9" and 12" issue, too.
 
Well, I passed. The turntable felt like it was shipped without being taken apart. I could have gotten over the stains and broken dust cover, which had cracks all over (the pictures don't do it justice). But I think a new arm is in order. This one had rust, beyond the many parts missing. It was only barely secured to the table. Screws and spacers missing. Everything rocking around loose.

But the real issue for me was that the platter rocked. It was firm on its axis, but that axis wasn't vertical. Or, maybe, the platter was warped. Maybe the axis can be adjusted, but it really seemed like the whole thing had been abused.

With enough time and parts anything can be restored. But for $950 it wasn't for me. Anyone interested: Salem, OR craigslist.
 
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