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What are the best vintage linear tracking turntables?

@Coshac333: regarding the Yamaha PX tables, Why is that? There are certainly plenty of threads about how difficult or impossible to repair they are. I’m not seeing a lot of difference between the PX-2 and an LT-30, so I’d really like to know what makes them “superior”.
 
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I see a lot of online posts about how hard it is to fix the Sony PSX Biotracers, but after I bought my "mint" Sony PS-X555ES and it arrived in a box of newspapers, mint true but not working, I tracked down a local highly recommended TT tech who checked it out, replaced a too-long belt that was actually a manufacturer mistake and for less than a decent stylus My Last Turntable is making all my records sound new again. An almost total lack of IGD from any album I throw down. You don't hear the needle at all. Seriously, I cut my LP trash stash down just because the Biotracers will grab those grooves. I see a lot of PSX600 and PS-FL77 out there for cheap and that's what I would be going after in lieu of the hard to get and rising in price 75/555/800 series. I'm going to sell the PS-X60 and 55 and keep the 555es for my main deck, the 600 for back-up and the PS-FL7ll for my AV setup. Then my work here is done?
 
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Quadron said:
I see a lot of online posts about how hard it is to fix the Sony PSX Biotracers, but after I bought my "mint" Sony PS-X555ES and it arrived in a box of newspapers, mint true but not working, I tracked down a local highly recommended TT tech who checked it out, replaced a too-long belt that was actually a manufacturer mistake and for less than a decent stylus My Last Turntable is making all my records sound new again. An almost total lack of IGD from any album I throw down. You don't hear the needle at all. Seriously, I cut my LP trash stash down just because the Biotracers will grab those grooves. I see a lot of PSX600 and PS-FL77 out there for cheap and that's what I would be going after in lieu of the hard to get and rising in price 75/555/800 series. I'm going to sell the PS-X60 and 55 and keep the 555es for my main deck, the 600 for back-up and the PS-FL7ll for my AV setup. Then my work here is done?
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I had the same problem with a PS X555ES, and was able to fix it, but yes I'm an electronics technician. I wrote a thread about this.
 
You folks missed the elephant in the room in in this thread, neglecting (missing) the oldest, serious LT-TT ... correct me if I'm wrong. HINT: I commented on this model, years ago, here at AK.
 
13mh13 said:
You folks missed the elephant in the room in in this thread, neglecting (missing) the oldest, serious LT-TT ... correct me if I'm wrong. HINT: I commented on this model, years ago, here at AK.
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Integrated?
Marantz SLT-12 ?
 
I've had quite a few linear tracking turntables. I've had the Technics SL-10 with the much desired OEM MC cartridge, Technics SL-5, Technics SL-D4, Technics SL-L2, Technics SL-QL5, Pioneer PL-L1000, Pioneer PL-L800, B&O 4002, Yamaha PX-3, Sony PS-FL7, Mitsubishi LT30, and the Aiwa LX-50.

I still have and use regularly my Yamaha PX-3 and I still have my B&O 4002 with a parts spare, although the 4002 is on the shelf at the moment. I also really love my Sony PS-X600. I am using it alongside my Yamaha GT-2000L right now in the main system. The B&O is in my collection because to watch that tonearm move is a thing of beauty and elegance. The PX-3 is beautiful in a rugged technological way. The Technics SL-10 has a beautiful weight to it, and does its job great. But there is not much to watch with the SL-10. I found the Pioneer PL-L1000 too finicky. I loved how it worked with the tonearm control, but it only worked about 25% of the time. The rest of the time, I had to move it manually! The Mitsubishi was really nice, but at the time, I was in love with the Pioneer PL-L1000 controls so I returned the Mitz. I'm happy with what I kept. I know eventually, they will fail and will not be economically feasible to repair, but until then, I will enjoy them.

So my list based only on experience would be Technics SL-10, Yamaha PX-3, Mitsubishi LT-30, and B&O 4002.

And yes, the Sony PS-X600 Biotracer tonearm is a wonderful sounding turntable that is easy to use. You can even do on-the-fly VTF with it for those annoying scratches that skip you occasionally encounter.
 
Pio1980 said:
Racking my memory, the Marantz and the B&O are the only things I can recall offhand.
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Schlumberger Model A1B

Does anyone have any experience with this turntable? Is it a good table?
audiokarma.org
Interestingly, I came into that thread at #13

Schlumberger Model A1B

Does anyone have any experience with this turntable? Is it a good table?
audiokarma.org

Schlumberger A1B Turntable- Vinyl Engine

www.vinylengine.com www.vinylengine.com

Look at the guts! Now that takes an R&D budget of that French oil company with a funny German name ...
file.php
 
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Looks based on a Thorens model, dunno if Lurné produced the entire mech.
Not unusual, the Linatrack gantry arm was a separate development before Revox acquired the rights and developed an integrated system around it.
I'd be curious to know how the tracking motion is accomplished.
 
I've been through most of the Technics compact units and the L1000 and LT-30 as well. My neighbor still has an LT-30 I restored as his daily driver and I'd say it's the best sounding, most bulletproof, and most visually appealing of all the LTs.
 
13mh13 said:

Schlumberger Model A1B

Does anyone have any experience with this turntable? Is it a good table?
audiokarma.org
Interestingly, I came into that thread at #13

Schlumberger Model A1B

Does anyone have any experience with this turntable? Is it a good table?
audiokarma.org

Schlumberger A1B Turntable- Vinyl Engine

www.vinylengine.com www.vinylengine.com

Look at the guts! Now that takes an R&D budget of that French oil company with a funny German name ...
file.php
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Here is some more information I dug up.

www.canuckaudiomart.com

Schlumberger A1B - Pierre Clement (1973)

French classic Schlumberger A1B turntable with Pierre Clement Linear Tonearm ( Grado cartridge currently installed).Purchased new in 1973 and last serviced in 1994.Everything is working well.
www.canuckaudiomart.com www.canuckaudiomart.com

Interesting looking table. The seller in the sold ad link I posted bought his for almost $3500 CAD in early 1973. In those days, $US was worth about 4/5 $CAD. I believe the Beogram 4000 came out in 1972. So close to the same period. Curious as to which was first. The Schlumberger does look like a Thorens doesn't it?
 
Considering the styli available now for T4P carts, my favorite is the Technics SL-L25. I’ve been able to adjust VTF and overhang to play slightly-off styli. But my true favorites are the Garrard Zero 100 and GT-55. Linear trackers using 1/2” mount cartridges.
 
HamboneF18 said:
Considering the styli available now for T4P carts, my favorite is the Technics SL-L25. I’ve been able to adjust VTF and overhang to play slightly-off styli. But my true favorites are the Garrard Zero 100 and GT-55. Linear trackers using 1/2” mount cartridges.
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Not quite linear trackers, the Garrards, they still require anti skate comp as pivoted arms with tangency correction.
 
The Zero Arms are competitive with LTs for tracking angle error. On all 4 of my Z100s, the “antiquated” magnetic AS works perfectly. Small price to pay for being able to use all my favorite 1/2” mount carts. I use my ADC XLM MKI/II/III on the magnesium arm GT-55. It’s a really good sounding belt drive, with a separate drive for the tonearm cueing and return.
 
HamboneF18 said:
The Zero Arms are competitive with LTs for tracking angle error. On all 4 of my Z100s, the “antiquated” magnetic AS works perfectly. Small price to pay for being able to use all my favorite 1/2” mount carts. I use my ADC XLM MKI/II/III on the magnesium arm GT-55. It’s a really good sounding belt drive, with a separate drive for the tonearm cueing and return.
Click to expand...
There are several LTs using 1/2 inch mount pickups.
 
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