AIWA LP-3000 (1979)
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The AIWA LP-3000 is a two-speed (33 and 45 rpm) programmable turntable with lateral-tracking arm, Quartz Direct Drive motor and remote control, introduced in 1979 (as LP-20X in Japan). The LP-3000 has 3 motors, one for arm elevation, one for lateral transport and the Quartz Direct drive platter motor. All essential controls are located on the front of the turntable so it can be operated even with the dust cover closed. With the help of a Microprocessor, it is possible to program the playback of up to 15 tracks (in random order if desired). The "disc sensor" for track detecting is achieved by an LED and photo transistor located at the front of the dedicated head shell. The turntable is fitted with a MM cartridge while other cartridges can be used with additional sub weight. Two red LED display show you the speed/pitch/program. Synchro operation for starting and stopping the turntable and an AIWA cassette deck (like AD-6900, AD-6700 or a TPR-950 portable stereo) is possible via a cable connected between the two units. The remote-control jack for the RM-20 wired remote control (sold as accessory) is located on the front of the unit. Technical data: Platter - Zinc diecast (310 mm diameter, 3.2 kg weight) | Wow&Flutter: 0.025% WRMS | SN ratio: 75dB (DIN-B) | Tonearm length: 182 mm | Dimensions: 480x150x439 mm | Weight: 15.2kg | Original sale price: 2500 DM (Germany) + 160 DM remote.
AKAI AP-L95C (1981)
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The AP-L95C was the top-of-the line fully automatic turntable introduced by Akai in 1981. It features a Quartz Lock Direct Drive DC brush-less motor and a static balanced type Linear Tracking arm. A second motor provides two-speed tonearm search. Speaking of search, the AP-L95C has a secondary arm with built-in photo sensor and with the help of a microprocessor allows track selection but also track programming in random order. Other functions include automatic speed and disc size selection and automatic play-repeat-stop modes. All controls are accessible with the top lid closed. Unlike traditional turntables where you have a large and tall transparent cover the AP-L95C has a flat silver top cover where only the area around the arm section has a tall transparent window creating this spaceship-like look. The original sale price for this futuristic turntable was 3200 DM in Germany while the AP-L45 was a scaled down version with no track programming. Technical data: Platter - Zinc alloy die-cast | Wow and flutter: 0.04% (DIN), 0.02% (JIS) | Signal to noise: 75 dB (DIN B) | Effective arm length: 184 mm | Cartridge: PC-95 (MM type) | Dimensions: 440x124x410 mm | Weight: 11.2 kg | Sale price 1983: $450
Aurex SR-L7F (1982)
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It suits you like your music. The Aurex SR-L7F, the turntable with tangential tracking. Clear and sleek in design, it signals to every music lover its future-oriented technology. The basis of "record-friendly," brilliant music playback. The Aurex SR-L7F with tangential tracking, electronic touch buttons give the unique, fully automatic turntable your commands for fast forward and rewind as well as automatic repeat. It automatically detects the record diameter and the necessary speed. The direct-drive platter of the Aurex SR-L7F is controlled by a DC servo motor. The tangential tracking of the straight tonearm offers significantly better tracking ability compared to conventional systems, prevents skating, and protects your records from wear. Tonearm balancing is fully automatic. The hydraulic lift and moving magnet cartridge ensure that your records look and sound like new even after frequent playback. Aurex is a Toshiba brand name. Technical data: Type: 2-speed Fully Automatic Linear Tracking | Motor: Direct-Drive | Platter: 290mm die-cast aluminum alloy | Wow & Flutter: 0.03% | Cartridge: Moving Magnet C-68M | Signal to noise: better than 70dB (DIN-B) | Tonearm lenght: 130mm Static balanced Linear-Tracking | Dimensions: 420x112x338 (WxHxD) | Weight: 6kg
Bang & Olufsen Beogram 4000 (1972)
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The Beogram 4000 introduced by Bang&Olufsen in 1972 was the most revolutionary advance in the design of a gramophone. It is not a progression from previous models; it has not evolved from any earlier ideas or principles; it is completely new in concept and construction. The most sensational feature of the Beogram 4000 is its electronically controlled tangential arm which moves the pick-up in a straight line towards the centre of the record. Because this is identical to the method used in the cutting of a record, it naturally gives the best possible reproduction when the record is played. The Beogram 4000 has two "arms". One is a detector arm carrying a photocell which can "sense" the presence of a record on the turntable and recognise its size and the speed at which it should be played. The second arm is the playing arm which carries the pick-up cartridge. A computer-like data unit, stimulated by a photocell in conjunction with instructions received from the control panel, governs the operation of a servomotor which moves the tangential arms across the record. Because the tone arm is driven towards the centre of the record and not "dragged" by the record groove as happens with conventional arms, there is no extraneous lateral friction between the stylus and the groove walls. The Beogram 4000 is operated electronically by light finger pressure on the "easy-touch" control panel, which provides completely noise-free functioning and is very pleasant to use. The data circuits cannot be "confused" by erroneous instructions but perform always in a logical manner. Such a sophisticated record player demands a highly specialised and excellent pick-up cartridge, so Bang & Olufsen has developed the SP 15 integrated cartridge for use with the Beogram 4000. This tiny pick-up uses the Bang & Olufsen patented MMC (Moving Micro-cross) principle and its elliptical naked diamond stylus has very high compliance and the ability to track with perfect accuracy. The Beogram 4000 is supplied complete with wooden plinth finished in natural teak or rosewood and it has a hinged translucent dust cover. The deck, control panel and radially ribbed turntable are of brushed aluminium alloy, making the Beogram 4000 as beautiful in appearance as it is brilliant in technical design. Original sale price in Germany: 1690 DM.
Bang & Olufsen Beogram 8000 (1981)
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In 1972, Bang & Olufsen launched the world's first record player with an electronically controlled tangential arm, the 4000 series. Beogram 8000 was the third generation of tangential arm decks. Although it shares some basic concepts with the 4000 Series, the Beogram 8000 is a completely new product. There are two parallel arms on a single carriage, one carries a light source and detector to sense the presence or absence of a record on the turntable. The other arm holds the top-ranking MMC 20CL cartridge from Bang & Olufsen. This cartridge has a sapphire cantilever and a line-contact diamond stylus that tracks at a 1-gram force. A stylus brush, mounted inside the tangential arm compartment, keeps the diamond free from dust and microparticles, and thereby enhances the gentle treatment of your records. To secure constantly accurate rotary speed the Beogram 8000 utilizes a Tangential Drive system. It incorporates a quartz-controlled flywheel, similar to the system used in electricity meters. Like the electricity meter, the system is highly reliable and extremely accurate and there are no motor vibrations to distort the sound. A digital display keeps you informed of speed during play. Computerized control system allows one-touch automatic operation with pause and repeat functions. There is possibility for fast and slow arm scan for inner track play and there is a manual over-ride for non-standard disc speed/size and record cleaning. Technical data: Rumble>70dB DIN weighted | Wow & flutter <0.02% WRMS | Speed deviation 0.02%. Pitch control gives +/-3% speed variability | Frequency response 20-20,000Hz +/-1dB | Dimensions: 49x9x37 cm | Finishes teak/rosewood/oak/white | Weight 9kg | Original sale price 1798 DM in Germany.
harman/kardon ST-7 (1976)
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The Harman/Kardon ST-7 turntable was introduced in 1976 and it is known for its innovative linear-tracking tonearm design. This feature was developed by Rabco (for their ST-4 model), a company specializing in tangential-tracking tonearms, which Harman/Kardon later acquired. The ST-7 was designed to provide precise playback by keeping the stylus perfectly aligned with the grooves of the record, mimicking the way records are cut in the studio. The arm, carried by the remarkable "rolamite" bearing, moves across the disc in a straight line. The result is a cascade of zeroes...Tracking error? Zero. Skating force? Zero. Stylus overhang? Zero. Horizontal friction? Zero. Vertical friction? Zero. Its sleek, mid-century modern design features a brushed aluminum plinth and touch controls, giving it a futuristic aesthetic for its time. The turntable is belt-driven and includes a stroboscope for speed adjustments. Very unusual but there is even a sticker on this turntable mentioning all the people involved in the engineering and design:
Dipen Guha : development engineer
Yasuhiro Okuda : industrial designer
Frank Baudille : project engineer
Irwin Katz : electrical engineer
Frank Holetsky : mechanical engineer
Len Rosenblatt : production engineer
Robert Brady : director of engineering
"and the people at Haman/Kardon, Plainview, Long Island, U.S.A."
Dipen Guha : development engineer
Yasuhiro Okuda : industrial designer
Frank Baudille : project engineer
Irwin Katz : electrical engineer
Frank Holetsky : mechanical engineer
Len Rosenblatt : production engineer
Robert Brady : director of engineering
"and the people at Haman/Kardon, Plainview, Long Island, U.S.A."
ReVox B791 (1981)
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Revox introduced it's original Linatrack (Linear tracking/Tangential tonearm) model, the B790 in 1977. The B791 presented here is the updated version that was introduced in 1981. The pivoting REVOX tonearm concept with the tangential short tonearm represents a successful synthesis of technical innovation and constructive perfection. Damage to the record and scanning system as well as strength and resonance problems of conventional tubular tonearms are a thing of the past with this design. An electronically controlled tracking system keeps the pickup exactly in the middle of the record groove so that no playback distortion occurs. The flat motor developed and built by REVOX is quartz-controlled and drives the turntable directly. This ensures the synchronous consistency absolutely necessary for distortion-free playback without the need for readjustment, even when using record cleaning devices. The digitally displayed rotation speed of the turntable on the B791 can be quartz-controlled by ± 9.9% in steps of 0.1%. The sound variations that can be achieved in this way enable record lovers to create an extraordinarily nuanced playback and adapt it to their individual musical sensibilities. In addition, there is also the possibility of tuning the pitch to a musical instrument or audio-visual device in the simplest way possible. Technical data: Motor: Quartz Direct Drive | Speed accuracy: +/-0,01% | Platter diameter 313mm, weight 2,1kg | Tonearm: Linatrack with servo-electronic tracking | Dimensions (WxHxD): 449x142x395mm | Weight: 9,1kg
SONY PS-X800 (1981)
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The Biotracer Tonearm and Tangential tracking: A Perfect Match...said Sony in 1981. The PS-X800 is designed for audiophiles and music lovers who will settle for nothing but the very best reproduction of music from their record collection. The Sony Biotracer tonearm controls tracking force, anti-skating and tonearm automatic functions. It actively damps tonearm/cartridge resonance and achieves wide stereo separation from the widest variety of cartridges. Technical data: Motor: Linear BNL-Motor | Drive system: Full Automatic Quartz Direct Drive | Tonearm: Biotracer Linear/Tangential Tonearm | Arm lenght: 180mm | Size: 430x120x345mm | Weight: 11,6 kg
SONY PS-X555ES (1983)
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The goal of Sony's X-Series turntable system is to perfectly reproduce the music signals engraved in the record grooves. In order to get one step closer to this goal, the X-Series has been designed with a thorough emphasis on sound quality. This is embodied in the incorporation of a biotracer, the linear tracking system using active trace servos, and a solid turntable structure with three-stage blocks. In addition, the X-Series has focused on improving operability while maintaining the quality of sound. Sony has eliminated the compromise of having to tolerate some degree of difficulty in use in order to maintain the quality of sound, and have clearly separated the issues of sound quality and operability, satisfying the demands for player systems that change with the times. BIOTRACER: A tone arm that electronically controls all operations using a microcomputer that makes hundreds of logical decisions in 1/1000th of a second, speed and position detection sensors, and a linear motor. This is the Biotracer. By using this Biotracer, the low-frequency resonance peak can be suppressed to within 3dB regardless of the cartridge installed, and crosstalk is improved at the same time, resulting in excellent bass reproduction. In addition, even records with significant warping can be traced without any problems, and the audible wow and flutter is reduced, and overall sound quality improvements can be confirmed, such as sound rise, sound image positioning, dynamic range, and distortion. This Biotracer has brought about a revolution in the static tone arm that has been in use for over 100 years. Technical data: Type: 2-speed Fully Autmatic | Motor: Quartz Direct-Drive | Platter: 32cm diameter, Aluminum Die-Cast | Wow & Flutter: 0.015% WRMS | Signal-to-noise ratio: 78dB (DIN-B) | Frequency response: 10-35,000Hz | Cartridge: MC, XL-333E | Tonearm: Linear tracking biotracer (electronically controlled tone arm) | Effective tonearm length (total length): 130mm | Dimensions: 430x105x425 (WxHxD) | Weight: 7.4kg
Technics SL-15 (1980)
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The Technics SL-15 is a high-tech Direct Drive linear-tracking turntable. Introduced in 1980 as the first generation of its kind and it is built to the highest standards of quality. It automatically plays the record selections you want and skips the ones you don't. It completely eliminates tracking error and is so advanced it can even play upside down. The SL-15's microcomputer and infrared optical sensor let you play up to 10 cuts per side, in any order. Just press the program keys in the order of the selections you want to hear. And with the repeat button, the SL-15 can repeat the entire program or any selection. The SL-15 performs virtually any function, automatically. It accurately selects the record size and speed, finds the lead-in groove and begins playback at the touch of a button. More proof of the SL-15's accuracy is its quartz-locked, direct-drive motor and dynamically balanced, linear-tracking tonearm. In addition to tracking perfectly, the SL-15 plays a record as accurately upside down as it does right side up. The whole body of the turntable is made of precision aluminium diecast upper and lower interlocking cabinet halves. The same build quality can be found also in the Technics SL-10 (a member of the 1001 Hi-Fi collection) - see here.
You can see how it's been "scientifically demonstrated" that this Technics can really Play Upside Down - see here.
Specifications: Drive: Direct Drive Quartz control | Motor: DC Servo | Platter 30 cm diameter, aluminium die-cast | Speed accuracy ±0.002 % | Wow and flutter 0.025 % wrms | Rumble -78 dB | Tonearm type Dynamic balanced, linear tracking, Effective length 105 mm | Cartridge EPC-P205 CMK3 Moving magnet | Frequency response 15 Hz to 60 kHz ±3 dB | Dimensions (W/H/D) 315x88x315mm | Weight: 6,6kg | Original sale price in Germany: 1900 DM | SH-B 10 inclined feet 45°: 100 DM | WL-B 15 inclined feet: 40 DM
You can see how it's been "scientifically demonstrated" that this Technics can really Play Upside Down - see here.
Specifications: Drive: Direct Drive Quartz control | Motor: DC Servo | Platter 30 cm diameter, aluminium die-cast | Speed accuracy ±0.002 % | Wow and flutter 0.025 % wrms | Rumble -78 dB | Tonearm type Dynamic balanced, linear tracking, Effective length 105 mm | Cartridge EPC-P205 CMK3 Moving magnet | Frequency response 15 Hz to 60 kHz ±3 dB | Dimensions (W/H/D) 315x88x315mm | Weight: 6,6kg | Original sale price in Germany: 1900 DM | SH-B 10 inclined feet 45°: 100 DM | WL-B 15 inclined feet: 40 DM
Technics SL-7 (1981)
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The Technics SL-7 Quartz D.D. turntable intorduced in 1981 has only the size of an LP jacket. A new lifestyle for you. When combining excellent performance and functionality even the appearance is naturally beautiful. There is a beauty that is different from things born from intuition or chance. Highly sophisticated technology is beautifully condensed into an extremely small size, and the rough operation of previous players is reduced to just four keys. The easy operation is well suited to those who cherish music. From now on, the way you interact with records will change. If you want to listen to a record, just push the start key. This is a fully automatic player where everything is controlled by a microcomputer. Not only the record size, but even the rotation speed is automatically set according to the size of the LP (vinyl). If you want to stop the record in the middle of playing, just press the stop key. The arm returns to the rest position and the turntable stops rotating. The stop key also has a function to control the arm's retreat, and two speeds can be selected depending on how hard you press it. Also, no matter what state it is in, if you open the upper cabinet, the arm automatically returns to the rest. A 45 rpm7 adapter is also built into the spindle. While queuing the sound is muted. Don't let you be fooled by the fact that it was frequently presented as a matching turntable to compact mini/portable Hi-Fi systems, the SL-7 is a serious turntable. Technical Data: Drive System: Quartz Direct Drive | Wow and Flutter: 0.025% WRMS | Cartridge: T4P type EPC-P202C | Frequency characteristic: 10Hz-30kHz | Size: 315x88x315mm (WxHxD) | Weight: 6,6kg
Technics SL-6 (1982)
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No conventional turntable delivers the accuracy and control of this one: Technics SL-6 Programmable Linear Tracking Turntable. The problem with a conventional turntable tonearm is that it arcs across the record surface. So it is capable of true accuracy at only two points in its arc. Where the stylus is precisely aligned with the record groove. The Technics SL-6 Linear Tracking Turntable goes beyond that. It actually duplicates the straight-line motion of the cutting arm that originally mastered the record. This enables the Technics SL-6 to deliver true accuracy at every point on the record. First note to last. There is none of the tracking error, skating force error or distortion that accompanies a traditional tonearm. And the SL-6 ensures this accuracy with some outstanding technological advances. Including a microcomputer-controlled system that constantly monitors the stylus-to-groove angle and automatically makes corrections. But linear tracking is just the beginning. There's the precise control you get with the Technics random access programmable microcomputer. At the touch of a button, you can set the SL-6 to play any selections you want, in any order. You can even repeat or skip selections. There are still more features that help the Technics SL-6 perform so impeccably. A precision direct-drive motor. Sensors that automatically select the correct playing speed. Technics' patented P-Mount plug-in cartridge (EPC-P23 MM) system delivers optimum tonearm/cartridge compatibility along with simplified cartridge installation. And all of this technology has been neatly placed in a turntable about the size of a record jacket. Accuracy, control and musical pleasure beyond the conventional. Dimensions (WxHxD) 315x88x315mm | Weight: 4,7kg | Original sale price 699 DM in Germany | Brochure picture featuring singer Julio Iglesias.
Technics SL-M3 (1986)
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The Sound of Experience: Unwavering Quartz DD accuracy, Linear tracking and real wood cabinet, resonance damping construction. The SL-M3 high-end turntable from Technics brings the theoretical ideal to practical perfection. The SL-M3 offers the advantage of linear tracking accuracy. It's advanced titanium nitride linear tracking tonearm is only part of what makes the SL-M3 so ideal. Other outstanding features include quartz direct drive operation, quartz linear synthesizer pitch control, the T4P P-mount cartridge connector system, and some of most advanced semiconductor circuitry. Technical data: Type: 2-speed Fully Automatic | Motor: Quartz Direct-Drive | Platter: 32.5cm diameter, Aluminum Die-Cast | Wow & Flutter: 0.008% WRMS | Signal-to-noise ratio: 82dB | Frequency response: 10-50,000Hz | Tonearm: Dynamically-balanced type Linear tracking tonearm | Effective tonearm length (total length): 238mm | Dimensions: 526x205x425 (WxHxD) | Weight: 15kg
YAMAHA PX-2 (1979)
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Massively built. Delicately precise. Elegantly styled. That's Yamaha's PX-2 tangential tracking quartz-locked turntable, the flagship of a remarkable new series of turntables from Yamaha. One of the major performance advancements on the PX-2 is Yamaha's unique optimum mass straight tonearm assembly. Among the most significant benefits of optimum mass is that it specifically addresses two of the most critical elements of music signal tonal quality - tonearm resonant frequency characteristics and high trackability with a wide range of cartridges. The PX-2 is also a study in durability with its solid, anti-resonant monolithic diecast aluminum base. Technical data: 2-speed Fully Automatic Linear Tracking | Motor: Quartz-Servo Direct-Drive | Platter: 310mm die-cast aluminum alloy | Wow & Flutter: 0.01% | Signal to noise: better than 80dB (DIN-B) | Tonearm length: 190mm | Dimensions: 493x156x428 (WxHxD) | Weight: 17kg | Original sale price: 2700 DM in Germany
