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Linear tracking turntables, whatever happened?

Curious as to the demise and downfall of the seemingly short lived linear tracking TT.
Just from a geometry point of view I would have thought a linear arm should be superior to one with a fixed pivot that sweeps through an arc.
Obviously there is much more to it than that, sort of the reason for this thread.
I am genuinely interested in trying one out for myself as well.
128x128uberwaltz
jtsnead's avatar
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jtsnead
217 posts
 
Bergman is one manufacture that makes high quality tables another is Pre Audio http://www.charismaaudio.com/?page_id=3783
harold-not-the-barrel
895 posts
 
Terry, maybe you should have taken over for new production ; )

Interesting tweaks you have made there. You mean beam is manifold ? Then, may I ask how you have managed install the support for the other end ? To back of the plinth ? Maybe you could send me pics of it.
I have covered the saddle with damping sheet. I can cover the wand too if necessary (one cartridge benefits from damped wand). Do you think it´s an upgrade to cover the base as well although it´s quite sturdy ? The arm sits on a sturdy brass column on soapstone plinth.

Regards,


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mhmeyers
66 posts
 

Hello. Obviously I’m relatively "new" here but I have a good 35+ years in this hobby. I’ve owned many turntables and have restored and "improved" even more. During that time I started wondering how well a linear tracking turntable might perform.... Long story short, I have now restored 5 B&O Beogram 4002 turntables. They use a photo-optic sensor that becomes "exposed" to a light source as a shutter is opened at the base of the tonearm.....shutter opening and subsequent drive motor engagement are dictated by the gradual inward movement of the stylus in the groove of the record and that is what opens the shutter.... When set up properly they are fantastic performers...very elegant and clever design.

I have two for my personal use and have restored three for clients of mine.... Lots of talk about their cartridges being "so-so".....I disagree, as does Peter Ledermann of Soundsmith…. I run the MMC20EN cartridges and they are fantastic. Am about to send one of mine in to Soundsmith for a rebuild. Will report back how it sounds.

Ultimately, personal preference dictates what we buy, or buy into with this hobby.....

Any other Beogram 4002 lovers out there?

glennewdick's avatar
glennewdick
1,500 posts
 

There is a company out of Poland Pre Audio  that is making some very interesting new production tables-LT arms combos from  $2k and up. they have a few different arms table combos, some air some not. worth looking at.

http://pre-audio.com/en/home/

https://wallofsound.ca/audioreviews/linear-bargain-pre-audios-intriguing-bt-1301-turntable/


vegasears
1,173 posts
 
Today, I dusted off my old Technics SL-10.  I gave it to my Son years ago and he's storing it here.  It currently has a Pickering TL-2S cartridge run thru a Jolida JD-9.  I am stunned just how good it sounds.  Now I am debating weather to get him another TT and keep the 10 next to my 1210. 
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