Linear Tracking Turntable or not?

[squeegy200]

After reading the website in more detail, the ELP turntable is claimed to be ANALOG from laser all the way to the output stage. There is a reply made by an owner in the Audiogon discussion that says the same thing. So I was wrong in the digital to analog conversion. (Several asked the same question in the thread!)

I'm not sure how a laser can read a physical medium and do it in analog from start to finish. From the descriptions, it is a technology I'm not comprehending. But it gets stellar reviews from owners and journalistic/industry reviewers alike.

[hifitommy]

reviewers have been pretty universal that the laser tt is a mixed bag. 14k for an immature technology seems PRICEY to me. the sophomoric replies in tasFROM the manufacturer were or should be an embarrassment to the manufacturer.

[squeegy200]

reviewers have been pretty universal that the laser tt is a mixed bag. 14k for an immature technology seems PRICEY to me. the sophomoric replies in tasFROM the manufacturer were or should be an embarrassment to the manufacturer.

I didn't read "The Absolute Sound" article. Which issue?

[hifitommy]

its the current one, on the stand now. that will be a well spent $6.95! the other reviews and articles will reward you for being curious.

[squeegy200]

its the current one, on the stand now. that will be a well spent $6.95! the other reviews and articles will reward you for being curious.

I picked up a copy of TAS #155 today. Good read.

Very good evaluation of the Laser Turntable. I did not find the manufacturer comments until later after searching thru the review. It was located a few pages later at the end of the section. I think I agree with your assessment regarding the manufacturers response. Very much akin to the engineer a few years back who attempted to explain to me the technology behing MP3 music reproduction and how true it was to the original source.

I was also happy to see a review of the new Wilson Maxx IIs in that issue. I just missed an opportunity to hear a demonstration a few weeks back. After reading the article, I'm now kicking myself for missing it.

[hifitommy]

you live VERY close to the maxx2s set up for demo at brooks berdan. myrtle and olive in monrovia! i was there yesterday for a belt for my sota sapphire tt. its worth going just to see brooks cabinet full of analog memorabilia. high end hardware AND software.

[squeegy200]

Yes, Brooks hosted a recent LA&OC Audiophile Society meeting where he demo'd the Maxx IIs. That was the meeting I missed.

I used to work with Brooks back in the 80s when he designed the GNP Valkyries. Amusing how similar his orignal designs were to the Wilson speakers being sold today. (I should have bought a pair of those when I had an employee discount.)

Brooks was the one responsible for setting up the Eminent Technologies and Air Tangent tonearms that I was priviledged to listen to every day in the office. His show room is incredible and his museum is amazing.

[mkaramazov]

I currently use a Harman Kardon Rabco ST7 linear tracker. This uses a mechanical process to move the arm : a different operating principle to either the servo correction LTs or the air bearing arms. To my ears its a fantastic sounding deck. I haven't owned high end turntables - so I can't really say how it compares to set ups costing thousands - but in my opinion it simply blows away my Thorens 124 / SME 3012, an old but well regarded vintage combo. Yes there is some fiddling involved, but once its set up it seems pretty reliable.

The Technics P-Mount LTs have been given a pretty bad rap in this thread, I think perhaps a little unjustifiably. It is true that attaching a tonearm to a lid rules out great sound, but they still do not sound too bad, and there are some decent NOS P-mounts floating around out there on ebay, including some of the great Technics cartrdiges such as the boron cantilevered 310MC, 205 and 202. I own both a SL DL1 and a SL 7, both of which sound pretty respectable (although not as good as the Rabco) with the 310MC bolted in and placed on firm level support. Plus they are probably the most user friendly TTs ever made.

[whineryop]

How do I open up my Harman/Kardon Rabco ST-7 Turntable so I can change the drive belt,
tracking shaft pulley and tracking roller that has disintegrated after being in storage for 25 years? Any Rabco ST-7 owners out there? Thanks. Whin

[GMichael]

How do I open up my Harman/Kardon Rabco ST-7 Turntable so I can change the drive belt,
tracking shaft pulley and tracking roller that has disintegrated after being in storage for 25 years? Any Rabco ST-7 owners out there? Thanks. Whin

Welcome to AR.

But I think you should start a new thread for your question. Just click on new topic.

[whineryop]

Thanks GMichael. I am very new. What does start a new thread mean? Thanks

[hifitommy]

i have two such TTs, one is the mapleknoll athena in need of some work, but when it was functioning, it was VIVID. the other is a pioneer PLL1000a, the same tt as the phase linear 8000a. not as good sounding but good nonetheless.

the elp is overrated by its maker. the mg1 would be interesting to hear. perhaps squeegy and i will get together that way.