There's a plethora of reasonably priced, new, manual tables out there, that will outperform the old tables, soundwise. Your Ortofon would be compatable with the majority. Whether you were to choose one of those, or to continue to use your present table; you could simply add this device: ( http://www.needledoctor.com/The-QUP ) I've been using this type(which cost $19.95 and I then carried in my shoppe) since 1980: ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yA0sNbvP37Q ) ( http://www.ebay.com/itm/AUDIO-TECHNICA-AT6006-SAFETY-RAISER-/250974581734#ht_1795wt_1207 ) My first one lasted 30 years. If you can find one now, they usually sell for a bit over $100.00. I've purchased two(NOS, off eBay), since my original started lifting too fast. Gotta have a spare, just in case. This guy's proud of his: (http://www.ebay.com/itm/Audio-Technica-AT-6006-Safety-Raiser-for-Thorens-Technics-Sota-Linn-Turntable-/200965791449?pt=US_Record_Player_Turntable_Parts&hash=item2eca7e9ed9#ht_445wt_939)
Any decent TTables with a semiautomatic arm
I know that semiautomatic / returning arms are considered bad, but if you were in an environment where you think its could be an advantage (like you have a child with autism who hates the sound of the end of the record), are there any such arms/turntables that are/were considered better than others?
In my research it seems such tables are often in the direct drive group and are therefore inferior usually to belt driven tables as well.
(I have a Technics SL-5200 and I think the best description of its sound would be 'reliable'. However its sounded pretty similar since 1979 so there's a familiarity there. It has a better cartridge than usual so it currently sounds better than before (ortofon bronze mm). )
In my research it seems such tables are often in the direct drive group and are therefore inferior usually to belt driven tables as well.
(I have a Technics SL-5200 and I think the best description of its sound would be 'reliable'. However its sounded pretty similar since 1979 so there's a familiarity there. It has a better cartridge than usual so it currently sounds better than before (ortofon bronze mm). )