Best auto-lift/shutoff turntables?

Winegasman:

I am using a Thorens TD-520 in my system right now, and it is one of the best sounding TT's I have heard (disclaimer: I have not heard all TT's, but quite a few good ones). I have it set-up with a SME 3012R arm and a Clearaudio Discovery cart. I really like the auto lift and shut-off function, and do not believe it detracts in any way from the performance of the TD-520.

BTW, I have tried to respond to your e-mail, but for some reason, I get a "blocked" message. Don't know why.

Dave

Consttraveler, Thanks. I don't know why you can't respond either? My 320 is the baby brother to the 520, with a smaller wood base. I'm using the stock tp-16 arm and a new Ortofon Super OM20 cart. I've heard great things about Clearaudio carts and am thinking that that might be a good upgrade path. I don't beleive that the auto features have any adverse affect on sound, but I've been curious since so many audiophiles are such strict adherents to the fully manual TT.

Lenco 78 in a decent plinth?

Installed a Denon DL103R in the Denon DP47F in conjunction with a Fidelity Research transformer. Tracking force is 2.75g. The rig sounds great is all I can say and the cartridge is not yet broken in.

When I get the DL301 I'll install that on the rb300 arm on the Audio Note TT1 (table) and see how that works out and will post here.

I know this is re-starting an old thread, but I can't stand reading about auto lift mechanisms that degrade the sound of a turntable. It is probably not available any more, but my second ever turntable (after i got rid of my horrible sounding Technics Direct Drive TT (circa. 1975)) was a Marantz TT (also circa. 1975) with auto lift that sounded fabulous! It was a belt drive unit that detected the end of an LP by breaking a light beam with an extremely light metal blade, and then lifted the arm with a mechanism that was totally detached from the playback components. It was totally isolated from the playback mechanisms (except for the extremely light blade), except when the record wasn't being played. I only wish I still had this TT - it was stolen years ago.