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Why hasnt a turntable manufacturer produced a table with automatic tonearm return/shutoff?

I'm listening to my old Technics 1700 turntable, which has the tonearm return/ shutoff mechanism. It's one of the reasons I don't upgrade. The idea that you have to get up to retrieve the cartridge and turn off the machine makes little sense when the technology has been there for years. I know the issue of the mechanism introducing sound into the table, but it seems to me that the mechanism can be isolated and kept off until the record ends. What gives?

kavakat1
soundman406
11 posts
 

It was always my understanding that any type of additional mechanation or masses added to the tone arm would/could bring additional methods for coupling noise and possibly affecting proper tracking.

richardbrand's avatar
richardbrand
1,364 posts
 

@soundman406 

any type of additional mechanation or masses added to the tone arm would/could bring additional methods for coupling noise

Would that argument not also apply to lowering devices, which are attached to the arm base?

Surely end-of-side can be detected in a non-contact way, for example by interrupting a light beam.  These days, even toasters have little motors to raise the crumpets!

I sometimes wish I had something that just raised the arm from the run-out groove.  If a stylus has say 400 hours life, I'd rather keep it for playing music.  Happy for the table to still run

 

echolane's avatar
echolane
126 posts
 

I took one look at the Bang & Olufsen Beogram 4004 in 1978 and knew I had to own it.  I loved the appearance and I loved the tangential tracking tonearm.   But through all the years I owned it I was subtly reminded that it wasn’t an audiophile’s turntable..  So in 2013 I succumbed to the subtle pressure of my fellow audiophiles and I bought a Rega RP40 Anniversary Edition Turntable and an Audio Note phono stage and I had to get used to carefully putting down the tonearm and getting up to lift it when the recording had finished.   I guess you could say I was completely spoiled because I so hated having to do that.  In 2022 I brought out my old Beogram. 4004 and had it completely restored by Beolover and I’m back to being happy playing vinyl again.  And I sold my Rega and Audio Note with zero regrets.  

retiredaudioguy
285 posts
 

@dwette

There is no logic in it and I do not remember which 2LP set I was playing, but a couple of weeks ago there was a work and on no side change was I able to just flip the record.

I agree that 1&3 + 2&4 makes sense for the old drop and scuff systems.

lewm
14,655 posts
 

Blame the AR XA “manual” turntable. It converted a slew of automated TT users to the idea that manual is better, 1970-ish.

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