Linear Tracking Turntable or not?

[nightflier]

I want to replace an aging fisher turntable and thought that a linear tracking unit might be interesting to try. I will be buying used on Audiogon or eBay, but this is a new area for me. What are some of the things I should watch out for? Should I avoid them altogether? Are there any makes/models that I should look for or avoid?

I'm not an audiophile when it comes to phono (most of my records are old and somewhat scratched), but I would like to have a good quality TT because I do copy records to CD regularly. Thanks.

[dean_martin]

I want to replace an aging fisher turntable and thought that a linear tracking unit might be interesting to try. I will be buying used on Audiogon or eBay, but this is a new area for me. What are some of the things I should watch out for? Should I avoid them altogether? Are there any makes/models that I should look for or avoid?

I'm not an audiophile when it comes to phono (most of my records are old and somewhat scratched), but I would like to have a good quality TT because I do copy records to CD regularly. Thanks.

Harman/Kardon made a linear tracking turntable with the RABCO ST-7 arm. Check the review section here. I've seen them on ebay and audiogon. From the reviews here, it looks like it might be a tinkerer's table rather than plug-n-play.

[hifitommy]

phase linear 8000a, pioneer PLL1000a (same tt), some of the yamahas and mitsubishis are good but not the technics pmount tables. if the table doesnt take a universal headshell, you dont want it.

just some advice from your uncle tommy.

[JoeE SP9]

I want to replace an aging fisher turntable and thought that a linear tracking unit might be interesting to try. I will be buying used on Audiogon or eBay, but this is a new area for me. What are some of the things I should watch out for? Should I avoid them altogether? Are there any makes/models that I should look for or avoid?

I'm not an audiophile when it comes to phono (most of my records are old and somewhat scratched), but I would like to have a good quality TT because I do copy records to CD regularly. Thanks.

The cheaper linear trackers should be avoided. Their tracking action is based upon the arm/headshell being unaligned with the groove. This causes the arm to move across the record in a crabbing action. Whatever you buy try to get a belt drive. The motor being decoupled from the platter results in better quieter (less rumble and background noise) sound. Avoid any TT/Arm that does not accept a standard cartridge. No P-mounts.

[nightflier]

Joe, Tommy,

If I understand this correctly, these are some of the criteria I should be looking for:

1. Solid brand name like Pioneer, Mistubishi, Yamaha, Phase Linear (is that where the name came from?).
2. Accepts standard cartridge
3. Has good quality tracking mechanism
4. Tracking is not attached to the lid

I realise that No. 3 above is key. What are some of the ways I can determine that?

Any other suggestions? There's a Marants unit on eBay that looks decent:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...MEWA%3AIT&rd=1

And a few others:

Sansui (bad pics):
http://cgi.ebay.com/Sansui-P-L51-Dir...QQcmdZViewItem

B&O:
http://cgi.ebay.com/Bang-Olufsen-Beo...QQcmdZViewItem

Luxman:
http://cgi.ebay.com/LXI-Luxman-Linea...QQcmdZViewItem

Sony:
http://cgi.ebay.com/SONY-DIRECT-DRIV...QQcmdZViewItem

No Phase Linear, but that Sony unit (PS-LX500) seems to be pretty popular. Any thoughts?

[SlumpBuster]

In theory, linear tracking supposedly beats "regular" tables for tracking accuracy, but there is a reason they never took off in popularity... they suck.

J/K some are pretty good. I'd stay away from the sansui and luxman you listed. Both appear to be 1980's vintage, not the golden age of either of those companies. But if you can find a 1970's vintag of either, your generally in good shape. You can't go wrong with B&O because at least it will always look nice.

You want to make sure that not only does it have a universal mount, but that it also interchangable cartridges. Lots of linear arms are set for only one weight, like alot of cheap Pmount arms. That means you can usually only use one particular cartridge.

Have fun and happy huntin.

[squeegy200]

In theory, linear tracking supposedly beats "regular" tables for tracking accuracy, but there is a reason they never took off in popularity... they suck.

Most linear tracking tonearms were mechanically driven and were inferior than their pivital counterparts of the same price range. Therefore, the mechanicals necessary to run linear often made more noise than they were worth.

A well built and well designed linear tracker mounted to a compatible deck will humble any pivotal arm. There are some excellent linear tracking arms such as the Eminent Technologies or the Air Tangent. Unfortunately, those arms cost more than an economy sized Motor car.

However, you can build a giant killer of a turntable by purchasing a competent deck and outfitting it with one of these. http://airtech.atspace.com/

This tonearm is NOT cartridge dependent and is compatible with most any cartridge in any price range. If you install this on a descent deck, it will embarrass decks costing 100x as much.

[JoeE SP9]

Most linear tracking tonearms were mechanically driven and were inferior than their pivital counterparts of the same price range. Therefore, the mechanicals necessary to run linear often made more noise than they were worth.

A well built and well designed linear tracker mounted to a compatible deck will humble any pivotal arm. There are some excellent linear tracking arms such as the Eminent Technologies or the Air Tangent. Unfortunately, those arms cost more than an economy sized Motor car.

However, you can build a giant killer of a turntable by purchasing a competent deck and outfitting it with one of these. http://airtech.atspace.com/

This tonearm is NOT cartridge dependent and is compatible with most any cartridge in any price range. If you install this on a descent deck, it will embarrass decks costing 100x as much.

I checked the web site. I am impressed. Do you know any one who has one? I am seriously considering one.

[nightflier]

This is very impressive indeed. It's a little over my budget, but certainly reasonable considering all the research & development that must have gone into it...

[JoeE SP9]

Joe, Tommy,

If I understand this correctly, these are some of the criteria I should be looking for:

1. Solid brand name like Pioneer, Mistubishi, Yamaha, Phase Linear (is that where the name came from?).
2. Accepts standard cartridge
3. Has good quality tracking mechanism
4. Tracking is not attached to the lid

I realise that No. 3 above is key. What are some of the ways I can determine that?

Any other suggestions? There's a Marants unit on eBay that looks decent:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...MEWA%3AIT&rd=1

And a few others:

Sansui (bad pics):
http://cgi.ebay.com/Sansui-P-L51-Dir...QQcmdZViewItem

B&O:
http://cgi.ebay.com/Bang-Olufsen-Beo...QQcmdZViewItem

Luxman:
http://cgi.ebay.com/LXI-Luxman-Linea...QQcmdZViewItem

Sony:
http://cgi.ebay.com/SONY-DIRECT-DRIV...QQcmdZViewItem

No Phase Linear, but that Sony unit (PS-LX500) seems to be pretty popular. Any thoughts?

I would not buy a linear tracker.The only decent linear tracking arms are rather expensive. I would not buy a B&O because of the non standard cartridge. If I was looking for an inexpensive used TT I would look for an AR. I have had many TT's over the years and will have nothing but belt drives. If you are willing to spend the money look for a used VPI or SOTA. The VPI HW19 JR that I own has been upgraded to full HW19 status. The upgrade path is the main reason I purchased the Jr in the beginning. If you can spring for $300 I highly recommend a new Music Hall. If that is a viable option or even if it isn't check out www.needledoctor.com they have a great selection of TT's at prices that range from reasonable to unbelievable. They also carry a very extensive line of phono cartridges. I'm not familiar with that particular Luxman TT but their products have always impressed me. As far as I know Luxman no longer has a presence in the US.

[sam9]

Biggest problem with older linear trackers is parts and repairs. A Rabco might have historical value, but possabilities to keep it working and in-spec are limited. Phase Linear / Pioneer (same device with different labels) was the best of the lot. At one time nearly every Japanses turntable line had a linear tracking product, but my recollection was that they differed only in cosmetics (probably a common OEM) and were at best OK. B&O is probably in the same league -- basicly an exercise in modern decor.

In sum, if you want a vintage unit that also has a potential for really good performance the only option is a PL/Pioneer in good condition.

Modern linear trackers as far as I can tell are priced in kilobucks.

[E-Stat]

Modern linear trackers as far as I can tell are priced in kilobucks.

Unfortunately, yes. I purchased my Souther TQ-1 back in '84 for around $900. Today, under the Clearaudio name, it goes for around $3500. Every once in a while you find one on Agon for a decent price.

While mine sounds wonderful on a VPI table, it is finicky to set up.

rw

[Glen B]

Whatever you buy try to get a belt drive. The motor being decoupled from the platter results in better quieter (less rumble and background noise) sound.

Well yes, unless its like my Denon DP-59L. In 18 years, no rumble that I can hear, no belt changes, no problems.

[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