phillymatt53
Well-known member
That's called "Accutrack 4000"
Console stereos: 1958-84
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phillymatt53
Well-known member
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
Well-known member
That Micromatic with only 2 speeds is when Collaro quality was cheapened.
vacerator
Well-known member
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
Well-known member
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.
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
Well-known member
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
Well-known member
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.
phillymatt53
Well-known member
The old 78's were flat and prone to being smacked against each other.
But back then, they wern't High Fidelity as we know it today.
Could it be that one of the reasons these products are collectors' items today is: There is really not anything in music (excepting classical music) that people want to listen to? A song like Elton's John's Tiny Dancer was so full it scared my little brother, but now all you hear, mostly in cars beside yours, is "BOOM BOOM and the F word. I can't believe people actually buy that.
phillymatt53
Well-known member
Indeed, that booming noise is highly irritating, whenver a car drives down my street.
Always at high volume, sometimes I can't enjoy my own stereo or the TV set.
Some people think it's cool, trendy...... I think it's stupid Crap.
Part of this illness of young society is because of social meda, Apps.
And I'm not complaining because I'm old now, because even when I was in my 20's I didn't follow the crowd and act like a moron.
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phillymatt53
Well-known member
Bob, the remarkable thing about those Zeniths is that floating cartridge. it handles warped records like a pro!
The same goes for those older Zenith changers, MADE by Zenith.
Belt drive, with flywheel speed stability, silent operation.
A tonearm with knife-edge pivots, an automatic pop-up stylus cleaning brush.
A lot of engineering was put into those machines.
Here's one that I sold a few years ago on craigs list.
I also made the wood base for it.
phillymatt53
Well-known member
Oh good lord!
I did a restoration on that Same Model console for a customer about 20 years ago!
It's got those sliding speaker covers that close to hide the equipment!
If you were nearer and up to it, I would definitely have you restore it.
vacerator
Well-known member
Oh, about the "boomy" but muffled mid range and treble sound; It wasn't only a symptom of the early solid state designs. From the late 70's through the early millenium, speakers made by the Japanese companies with 15 inch woofers, and three and four mid's and tweeters in light shallow cabinets with or without ports.
Following the best of the early 70's during the stereo wars, they are nicknamed Kabuki speakers. Big drama show, and no detail. I was baffled they were making exemplary amps. and receivers, but not speakers. Probably why I ended up buying KLH in 1979.
A few examples; Pioneer HPM 100, and later models. They even made round end table ones that only could handle 50 watts. Kenwood "Yamasaki" style wooden grille, Sansui, later Infinity, Jensen, Technics, even some JBL and Cerwin Vega's.
While some may like them, others don't.
Following the best of the early 70's during the stereo wars, they are nicknamed Kabuki speakers. Big drama show, and no detail. I was baffled they were making exemplary amps. and receivers, but not speakers. Probably why I ended up buying KLH in 1979.
A few examples; Pioneer HPM 100, and later models. They even made round end table ones that only could handle 50 watts. Kenwood "Yamasaki" style wooden grille, Sansui, later Infinity, Jensen, Technics, even some JBL and Cerwin Vega's.
While some may like them, others don't.
Were the Kabuki speakers like the Boom Boom I hear today? Of course, back then it was without the F word.
