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
Bang & Olufsen Beogram 8000 (1981)
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In 1973, 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.
FISHER MT-6360 (1980)
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The MT-6360 "programmable, full automatic, infrared remote control" turntable was introduced by Fisher in 1980. It is actually a rebranded Sanyo TP 880, Fisher being a Sanyo brand by this time. It is not really programmable, but it does have an infrared sensor next to the cartridge which can "read tracks" on the vinyl allowing you to select a track you want to listen. This can also be achieved with the use of the supplied remote control. Technically the turntable features a DC Servo Direct Drive motor, strobe light for speed adjustment and the tonearm came factory equipped with a Audio Technica MG-S100 cartridge. (Wow and Flutter is 0.035% and rumble is -70dB). The MT-6360 was sold both as a separate unit but also as part of various Hi-Fi system. When sold separately it was named MT-6360 and it came with it's own remote. When it was sold as part of the Fisher 9000 System it was called the MT-9000 and it was intended to be remote controlled through the CB-9000 control center of the system and it's M-9000 full system remote control. Size of the unit is 440x135x385 mm, weight is 8.2 kg and it was originally sold for 798 DM in Germany.
