Console stereos: 1958-84

[phillymatt53]

Matt that's probably why dad got a Dual. It had a wooden base and was a single play automatic. My first cartridge on my B.I.C. 940 was a Sure V15 elliptical. I sold the BIC and got my Technics SL 220 with a Pickering V 4 II hyper elliptical. Still have both. I've taken a liking to my newest Ortofon 2M blue.

The BIC record changers are notorious for the original grease turning to hardend glue.
Also, certain plastic mechanism parts are prone to cracking due to the solidified grease causing the mech to bind and stress the plastic parts.
I used to have a 960 for a few years, but re-lubed it and sold it at the shop because it seemed flimsy the way it was built.

I'd say sell it, and move on.

 

[vacerator]

I got a new Technics SL 1500-C 2 years ago. I have an Audio Technica ML 95 microline on it. Excellent detail, but it doesn't like all records. I'd have gotten the Ortofon 2M bronze, it wasn't out yet. I'd also consider their Concorde music nude eliptical or bronze which has their classic integral finger style headshell.

 

[phillymatt53]

I got a new Technics SL 1500-C 2 years ago. I have an Audio Technica ML 95 microline on it. Excellent detail, but it doesn't like all records. I'd have gotten the Ortofon 2M bronze, it wasn't out yet. I'd also consider their Concorde music nude eliptical or bronze which has their classic integral finger style headshell.

Those fancy cartridges with their fancy stylus shapes are just like some fancy cars - marketing hype to make them sell.
Yet, people buy into that hype, and it's a fact that many times their brains are then convinced that "the sound" is improved.
Go look up this phenomena, it's been proven.
I've even tested and used it on people, and it's true. - keep reading.

My main turntable, a Linear-tracking machine, has an Audio Technica AT3472SE
(Special Elliptical) 2x7 stylus that tracks at 1.5 grams.
I'm happy with it, it flawlessly tracks anything I can throw at it.

OK, here's a case - a "blind test" - I have two amps selectable in my main system.
The Technics stereo receiver, AND a custom Tube amp.
They're instantly switchable via a heavy duty toggle switch on the back of the cabinet to my Advent Maestro speakers, and both are calibrated perfectly in equal loudness/volume settings.
I can use the tube amp, which takes its source input from the preamp output of the Technics.

Now, I have two younger friends who are dedicated "High End" audiophiles that came over to compare the sound from both amps.
They claim they can determine tiny nuances or differences in the sound.
These types of people are known as having "Golden Ears".

So, I put on a CD of some nice music, with vocals, for them.
Then I played some records too.
First, I tell them It's going to play from the Technics, and when I throw the switch, the music will come from the already warmed-up Tube amp.
And which one sounds better to them.....................
I threw the toggle switch several times during the test, the toggle switch makes a noticeable mechanical "Click"
This went on for about a half-hour

They one settled on the Technics as being the better-sounding amp.
The other thought the Tube amp was better.

Here's the kicker!.......the Tube amp was the ONLY one they heard!
Because I had another heavy duty toggle switch temprarily mounted on the back of the cabinet that was not connected to anything, the click it makes fooled these "experts".
WELL!.......So much for those "Golden Ears"!

 

[rinso]

Jesus! - in all the decades of servicing countless record changers, I never had a 1006 in the shop.
That's just NUTS!

Yes, it measures the record size when the tone arm scans backwards on the record, and the right-hand mini wheel drops off the edge.

 

[rinso]

For single-play professional turntables, I prefer linear tracking tonearms. Shopping around for a new one as I post this. Any suggestions?

 

[vacerator]

Thankfully my ears are more discriminating and I can tell the difference between a bonded, nude shank elliptical, micro line and a Shibata stylus. Who cares what a maker calls something. They all have marketing trademarks.
If you're not hearing a difference Matt, either the record or the system sucks. So just tape a straight pin to the side of the head shell.
Moving coil cartridges can also offer better sound with the right preamps and systems. p.s, my Koss reissue Pro 44a headphones are nothing special.

 

[phillymatt53]

For single-play professional turntables, I prefer linear tracking tonearms. Shopping around for a new one as I post this. Any suggestions?

I'm really not keen on anything of "new" manufacturing.
And besides, being retired for 9 years, haven't handled anything since the shop closed.
However, I'd stick with something vintage around 1980s era.
Technics, Kenwood, Sony, among others made some decent linear-trackers.
Depends on how they've been treated over the years.

 

[phillymatt53]

Thankfully my ears are more discriminating and I can tell the difference between a bonded, nude shank elliptical, micro line and a Shibata stylus. Who cares what a maker calls something. They all have marketing trademarks.
If you're not hearing a difference Matt, either the record or the system sucks. So just tape a straight pin to the side of the head shell.
Moving coil cartridges can also offer better sound with the right preamps and systems. p.s, my Koss reissue Pro 44a headphones are nothing special.

Oh, trust me, I can hear differences, up to a point, after that it's really diminishing returns.
If I want to get obsessive about something, my test equipment is my other set of "ears"

Some of the "snobs" on the audio websites have even admitted that they're impressed by a cheap conical stylus cartridge. (AT3600).

 

[kenwashesmonday]

Because I play all sorts of records in varying condition, including styrene 45s, I downgraded the stylus in my Shure M95 cartridge from hyper-elliptical to elliptical. It sounds quite good to my old ears.

 

[vacerator]

Even the new Technics SL 1200 G, 1300g, are well designed and built. Delta sigma motors with zero hum and extremely low wow and flutter. Duals too. With a 50 year old turntable that only needed cleaning and lubricant I wanted a new one. I use a power conditioner and disconnect the main cord from the wall every night.

 

[phillymatt53]

Even the new Technics SL 1200 G, 1300g, are well designed and built. Delta sigma motors with zero hum and extremely low wow and flutter. Duals too. With a 50 year old turntable that only needed cleaning and lubricant I wanted a new one. I use a power conditioner and disconnect the main cord from the wall every night.

Technics ALWAYS had low wow-flutter in their better turntables, particularly in their Direct Drive machines.
And as listed in their literature, that was a mere 0.025%, utterly invisible to the human ear.
At the shop, we used a Leader LFM136 meter to check equipment for any W&F issues.
And I confirmed that Technics, among other good turntables, were within spec for that.
But, a well designed turntable regardless of price, can also have a low figure.
My 1987 linear-tracker DD machine showed a 0.03 W&F reading, and it wasn't an expensive model.
Actually, a 0.12 W&F reading is not even objectionable or noticeable for a turntable, and provides a pleasent listening experience from records.
......Unless a person is obsessed with specifications.

 

[vacerator]

Matt, on certain vinyl, I can tell a slight difference in speed regulation between my SL 220 belt drive spec. .045 and my new direct drive.

 

[pstehle]

Those fancy cartridges with their fancy stylus shapes are just like some fancy cars - marketing hype to make them sell.
Yet, people buy into that hype, and it's a fact that many times their brains are then convinced that "the sound" is improved.
Go look up this phenomena, it's been proven.
I've even tested and used it on people, and it's true. - keep reading.

My main turntable, a Linear-tracking machine, has an Audio Technica AT3472SE
(Special Elliptical) 2x7 stylus that tracks at 1.5 grams.
I'm happy with it, it flawlessly tracks anything I can throw at it.

OK, here's a case - a "blind test" - I have two amps selectable in my main system.
The Technics stereo receiver, AND a custom Tube amp.
They're instantly switchable via a heavy duty toggle switch on the back of the cabinet to my Advent Maestro speakers, and both are calibrated perfectly in equal loudness/volume settings.
I can use the tube amp, which takes its source input from the preamp output of the Technics.

Now, I have two younger friends who are dedicated "High End" audiophiles that came over to compare the sound from both amps.
They claim they can determine tiny nuances or differences in the sound.
These types of people are known as having "Golden Ears".

So, I put on a CD of some nice music, with vocals, for them.
Then I played some records too.
First, I tell them It's going to play from the Technics, and when I throw the switch, the music will come from the already warmed-up Tube amp.
And which one sounds better to them.....................
I threw the toggle switch several times during the test, the toggle switch makes a noticeable mechanical "Click"
This went on for about a half-hour

They one settled on the Technics as being the better-sounding amp.
The other thought the Tube amp was better.

Here's the kicker!.......the Tube amp was the ONLY one they heard!
Because I had another heavy duty toggle switch temprarily mounted on the back of the cabinet that was not connected to anything, the click it makes fooled these "experts".
WELL!.......So much for those "Golden Ears"!

Otherwise known as "the Emperor's new clothes..."

 

[vacerator]

Well, I'm not one who would spend over $500 on a cart., or $2,000 on a turntable. Some spend tens of thousands. I've seen those high end audio shows. Six figure components, even cables costing thousands.

 

[vacerator]

Tube preamps and amps always sound warmer. Even hybrids. That's why so many high end makers still use them. There are modern tubes which can be treated with a process like liquid nitrogen or something to make them last longer and or enhance performance. I forget exactly, but I saw it on youtube last week from the Capitol audio show in D.C. There three videos from the Tracking angle and Analog planet. Even vacuum tubes have evolved.

 

[phillymatt53]

Otherwise known as "the Emperor's new clothes..."

In a lot of cases, it actually boils down to "perceived" improvements.
As I previously mentioned, studies and tests were done relating to "Cognitive Bias" which showed that the human brain has the potential to believe an improvement or change has taken place.

That audio test that I did with two friends proved this is true.
They actually believed that the "clicking" of the dummy switch changed which amp was in use, when in fact it did nothing but click.
So when I finally told them, and showed them the dummy switch, they became a bit agitated, and confused.
Because their brains wanted to believe of the change, and upon hearing the truth it caused a negative disruption to take place.

Oh, in a "real" actual case when the "real" switch was used, indeed a subtle "tonal" difference is perceived.
Not a lot of difference mind you, but just enough that it was obvious.

Marketing of products such as audio equipment can be deceiving, if the marketing is cleverly done to make the potential customer believe it will "improve" the quality level.
In some cases, it is true, honest, and measurable by testing equipment.
But like I said, the human brain has its own way of deciding something.
And a certain stubborn attitude at times.