![]() It came with a brush that rode the record surface in front of the needle. The remainder of the $250 name says Super Track IV (trademarked) Stereo Dynetic (Registered) Phono Cartridge with Stabilized Static-Free Tracking. It was not cheap then - $249.95 in 1982 dollars. Shure made a linear tracking version of a popular cartridge back in the day. Yes, they will still play, but the deep thumps are distracting at the very least. You will soon learn that out-of-center records are pretty much useless on this design. The problem is exacerbated by the moving motor at the tonearm's base. ![]() Depending on the severity of the problem, you may get to watch a new dance - the out of center dance, as your needle hits the peak of the ellipse that is the groove pattern, knocks against the groove wall with a thump, and is sent heading back in the other direction. If you have woofers that dance to warps and edge welts in vinyl, pull out an LP that you know has an out-of-center problem (the hole is punched such that it is not in the center of the groove pattern). Therefore, if the tracking error number from your manual is higher than you want your vinyl exposed to, well, that number may be a constant, not a maximum, worst case number.įor fun, take the screens, cloth or whatever off the front of your left and right channel speakers. I drew the conclusion (right or wrong) that because the arm's base needed to be out of tolerance to move, the arm would be perpetually at the limit of tracking error in order for the arm to move smoothly towards the record's center. ![]() It's tracking error is a factor of 10 lower than most linear tables that were sold in the '80s. I own a Mitsubishi LT-30 linear tracking turntable. If you have the owner's manual, check the tracking error limit number. I realize this may never qualify as a "serious" table, but the little box from 1983 is a lot of fun. I will need to trust the factory settings on azimuth and overhang, and it is a bit inconvenient to not be able to get the platter spinning with cover open, so I can run my brush across the record right before play. I do have the service manual, and I will eventually disassemble this completely, I may decide to install a switch on the motor power so I can stop it externally, but for now I just want some basic tests. ![]() I do realize that a linear tonearm is basically the reverse of a cutting lathe, so it should be more accurate, at least on new vinyl, and I would really like to experiment and hear for myself whether records worn on pivot arms will show deterioration on the linear tracker.Īlso - any tricks on how to use a stylus scale on this thing ? That might be a tough mechanical question, because you need to close the cover for the arm to drop, and then the platter starts spinning - so standard method does not apply. I will get two identical ones, and mount one with an adapter on a standard headshell, because I would be extremely curious to make some comparisons with my pivot arm table - just to chime in on the IGD debate on linear vs. The main thing here is not to go overboard on a very expensive cart, but to make sure tracking force is about 1.25 (which I actually think is/was a T4P standard - correct me if I am wrong) so as to not induce unnecessary wear on valuable records, when I do decide to give them a spin on my new old toy. ![]() I get the impression that there is a limited choice of these available, and I am looking for some recommendations. A little sibilance, and a very faint hum from the original Panasonic cart, but it is three decades old and for its age it is just fine. I played a few familiar records that I have duplicates of and I use for tests, and they sound pretty much the way they are supposed to. I put a strobe disc on, and the speed is dead on. The person that sold it to me obviously took care of it, as it has no visible wear of any kind, but still, I am amazed at how well it has aged - the plastic parts have not deteriorated in any way, and the mechanics are in perfect working order. It is/was no more than a entry-level table, but is still built very well. I always wanted a linear tracker when I was a poor teenager in the 80s, and now 30 years later I picked up one of these on eBay, and I am having a blast with it as a side project.įirst off, this thing works flawlessly 30 years after it was made. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |