Console stereos: 1958-84

[phillymatt53]

The ADC accurate 400 is also remote control.

That's called "Accutrack 4000"

 

[phillymatt53]

My new Technics SL 1500-C has three speeds. You select 78 rpm by holding 33 and 45 buttons together. Some record changers and single play automatics had small buttons in the platter each at 7", 10", and 12". Whichever record size was on it, that's where the tonearm drops. I think new Dual's have electronic sizing depending on the speed chosen.
A British made ADC model had programmable tracks with buttons along the front top and a silver globe module which has the processor. Worth a lot when working but can be a nightmare to service.

Those record changers that used a small button in the platter for size sensing were VM units.
The ones labeled as Zenith and other brands were also made for them by VM.

It was ONE button on the platter, which if pressed down by a 10" record, would trigger the 10" setdown position.
If the button was not pressed, it triggers 7 inch record setdown.
If the button AND the lever near the tonearm was pressed, it triggered the 12" setdown.

I had a nice pristine 1966 Zenith/VM changer with the floating "2G" cartridge sitting around from a TOL portable that I junked years ago.
So... I built a base AND dustcover for it, plus designed an internal preamp-equalizer for using it with modern Aux inputs so it would interface properly.
It's so close to sounding like a decent mag-cartridge turntable.
I put it on CraigsList.
A friend of mine wanted to get into collecting records and begged me to sell it to him. - He fell in love with the styling.

Besides me knowing electronics, I'm also a pretty talented wood-working nerd.
My garage has all the equipment I need to work with wood, and metal.

So here's that "Zenith" custom changer that my friend loves.

 

[phillymatt53]

Thanks

Thanks supersuds! I stand corrected!

I have three MicroMatic changers that I purchased on ebay. All sellers said they were functional, but none of them could possibly have been operating condition. One is an R600, one is the newer version with the slimmed-down tonearm, and the third is the new style with only two speeds and has a cuing lever. I was very naive when I took up this hobby after my partner passed away. I had no idea that sellers on ebay sometime lie. I know a repair business to which I could send one of them, but they are incredibly backed-up and I've been in their cue since last October. I will admit, however, that one of my MicroMatics may need an exorcism.

That Micromatic with only 2 speeds is when Collaro quality was cheapened.

 

[vacerator]

Matt, this is the first I've ever seen a Zenith VM component changer. Same 2 G tonearm as consoles had. Technics also made one with the buttons in the platter. Rare to find a platter not al dryl rotted with the correct holes.

 

[phillymatt53]

Oh, about those "Stacking" type record changers.....
You've probably heard that "stacking" records on those are "bad to do".
Which actually is propoganda and silly marketing.
That crap was put out in the late 1950's when "new single play manual" turntables were introduced, in order to help sell those new-style units.
Typical marketing blabber to win over gullible picky "audio purists".

If you look carefully at modern LP's, the label and the edge rim are raised purposely.
This was designed so that LP's only touched each other at those points.
So the actual playing grooves were not in contact with each other.
The same idea is applied to 7" 45 RPM records - the label is thicker than the playing surface.

 

[phillymatt53]

Matt, this is the first I've ever seen a Zenith VM component changer. Same 2 G tonearm as consoles had. Technics also made one with the buttons in the platter. Rare to find a platter not al dryl rotted with the correct holes.

As I know it, those technics used a light-sensoring technique to determine record size.
I never saw one with any buttons, I'd need a model number to check that out.

 

[vacerator]

Maybe that's what I meant Matt. I've only seen photos. As fir stacking vinyl, that still holds true with many opinions. Maybe it's different for Lacquer records.