• The move to the new server is done. There are some software and database maintenance updates in process. This has us passing the hat around to help out. We appreciate any donations. Seriously, even a dollar helps. The payment page may be found here - https://www.audiokarma.org/support.html

Why do you like manual over auto turntable?

Status
Not open for further replies.
I have both manual and auto tables.
My auto tables are TOTL, or near TOTL of their respective manufacturers (JVC QL-Y66f, Sony PS-X75, Yamaha PX-3, Technics SL-M3) and I do like them a lot.
I tend to use the auto tables when we have people over. Especially children.
All of my tables have been fitted with either a high end, or relatively high end cartridge that I have found to be a delightful match to each given table.
When I want to change the sound of my system, I simply swap out one table for another, similar to rolling tubes, or cables.
For the ultimate in critical listening, I do prefer one of my manual tables.

Al. Wise
 
nailer said:
You regularly confuse cost-no-object with high-end. :scratch2:
Click to expand...

I do not confuse anything.
You confuse high-end with TOTL from brands that never managed to manufacture anything better than mediocre.
You see, "high-end" is up there with practical nothing beyond it.
Or would you want a term called "even-higher-end" and yet one "ultimate-highest-end"?
Then next week somebody would claim to know about some "extreme-ultra-extra-ultimate-highest-end-ever-in-existence-of-the-earth".
 
As good as my Thorens TD 147 is, it is not in the same class as my TD 124. The 124 is a serious table, the 147 a very nice consumer audio table. I liken it to ordering an acoustic guitar from a luthier exactly to your requirements vs buying something very nice from a store.

One man's high end is another's garbage, depending on your financial and fanatical abilities.

One should not disparage another's priorities based on their own perceived needs

My Denon 103r is a high end cart to me. Others would and should disagree.
 
Ultralyd said:
I do not confuse anything.
You confuse high-end with TOTL from brands that never managed to manufacture anything better than mediocre.
You see, "high-end" is up there with practical nothing beyond it.
Or would you want a term called "even-higher-end" and yet one "ultimate-highest-end"?
Then next week somebody would claim to know about some "extreme-ultra-extra-ultimate-highest-end-ever-in-existence-of-the-earth".
Click to expand...

I understand now. You're confused as to what high-end audio is about.
 
Ultralyd said:
I do not confuse anything.
You confuse high-end with TOTL from brands that never managed to manufacture anything better than mediocre.
You see, "high-end" is up there with practical nothing beyond it.
Or would you want a term called "even-higher-end" and yet one "ultimate-highest-end"?
Then next week somebody would claim to know about some "extreme-ultra-extra-ultimate-highest-end-ever-in-existence-of-the-earth".
Click to expand...

Terms like "high end" are subject to a wide variety of interpretations and so are a poor choice for a thread like this expecting mostly useful answers.

I have been exposed to many different definitions of "high end", and must admit that yours is by far the most extreme I've seen.
 
smccrary said:
I have to agree with lini (prost!) (...)
Click to expand...

Well, actually you don't have to - but you're free to, if you'd like. ;)

And, sorry, currently I'm out of Andechser Doppelbock, so I can only prost you back virtually...

Greetings from Munich!

Manfred / lini
 
Ultralyd said:
It's very simple.

There are no high quality automatic TTs or arms.
Click to expand...

You would do well to remember that blanket statements are never right. :D

Ultralyd said:
Given the chance to build the ultimately best, the most skillfull manufacturer would get better sound from a manual arm/TT than from automatic likewise.

Reason is automatic would incorporate more compromising part, resonance, unprecision of the details needed for SQ etc.

Building high quality for the best of sound is contradictionary to building quality automation.
Click to expand...

Please offer proof of these assertions ... and when I say "proof," I don't mean uninformed babble from some magazine writer who has no engineering background and who counts several manufacturers of manual turntables among his best buddies.
 
I have both and don't really see any advantages , one over the other. Do do prefer auto shut-off, though.
 
Close tolerance machining of the critical moving parts in a turntable and tonearm has seldom been cheap.. hence the designer may choose to focus most of the budget available towards extracting the highest quality sound possible in a fuly manual table over automation and convenience.

Nothing wrong with semi autos either if they are well constructed.
.. something like the akai ap-206c is a joy to use for frequent record changes or flipping between albums and singles.
One turntable is not enough...have 3 or 4 i say..make each one different in terms of design approach...and simply enjoy what they do...:thmbsp:
 
Dr Tinear said:
Please offer proof of these assertions ... and when I say "proof," I don't mean uninformed babble from some magazine writer who has no engineering background and who counts several manufacturers of manual turntables among his best buddies.
Click to expand...

So you prefer engineering babble with no clue about what great sound quality is?
:D
 
Ultralyd said:
So you prefer engineering babble with no clue about what great sound quality is?
:D
Click to expand...

I'd prefer to hear informed opinion from someone in whose ears I trust who also understands audio technology. Now that J. Gordon Holt is no longer with us, I can't think of a single living audio writer who fits that description.
 
FWIW in 82 I checked out a lot of new TTs.I had no real budget to worry about. The only TT that tracked the 1812 with cannon shots at the end of the Lp was the Sony PS-X800. (Tracked it like it was a master tape)It is full auto, and the older I get, the more I need that feature.
 
Last edited:
If you guys would ignore the behavior of Ultralyd he would likely just go away. I behaves this way in every thread he posts in. He offers nothing of value. He simple likes to remind everyone how rich and special he is (in his own mind of course).

Don't play his game!

Jon
 
jnoyes said:
If you guys would ignore the behavior of Ultralyd he would likely just go away. I behaves this way in every thread he posts in. He offers nothing of value. He simple likes to remind everyone how rich and special he is (in his own mind of course).

Don't play his game!

Jon
Click to expand...

What a pitiful way to express your envy.
 
JohnMichael said:
I do not want any mechanism to interfere with my arm's ability to follow the groove. I prefer a manual table and really enjoy my Rega. I did own a Thorens 290 that lifted the arm at the end of the record which I agree is a nice compromise.
Click to expand...

I've never seen an automatic that had any mechanism that interfered with the arm's ability to follow a groove. Perhaps at the very low end, but never on a decent automatic.

Jon
 
Sounds like automatic vs stick-shift in motorhead circles :banana:

Purists always seem to prefer the... well... purest experience which would be a manual :music:

I have noticed that the uber expensive custom TT's seem to be simple exposed belt manual affairs.

That being said, I like my space-age microprocessor controlled linear :D
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top Bottom