It's probably to electronically lift and dampen the arm, maybe even for antiscate or stylus pressure.Does that tonearm automatically compensate for off-center records? If not, what's up with the servo mechanism?
It's probably to electronically lift and dampen the arm, maybe even for antiscate or stylus pressure.Does that tonearm automatically compensate for off-center records? If not, what's up with the servo mechanism?
The object of the exercise was to reduce/eliminate arm resonance electronically, as opposed to the mechanical damping methods employed by other arm manufacturers, and currently universally employed. The Biotracer arm movements were entirely controlled by coils (motors). Other coils within the arm were used to detect vibrations caused by unwanted resonances. If such vibrations occurred, an electrical signal was generated by the coils, sent to a feedback circuit and an opposing force applied to the arm electronically to counteract the unwanted motion. This had the effect of controlling low frequency resonance to a great degree, with consequent associated benefits throughout the frequency spectrum, including providing extraordinary stereo separation.
Denons variant of Q-dampening was called "Dynamic Servo Tracer", and it made the tonearm look like a prop in a StarWars movie, just like the Sony one. There is a list with manufacturers made by a chap at Audiokarma: https://audiokarma.org/forums/index.php?threads/does-q-damp-really-work.629031/#post-8331720It's one of those things that later 'high-end mass-market' turntables had (Denon had their variant as well) that is just worlds beyond what you can get these days, at pretty much any price.
Yep, I had the Sony PS-X65, similar but without the biotracer. Pretty amazing performer - even very warped records were tracked without issue.From https://www.mysonic.space/biotracer-turntables :
Think of it like multi-axis image sensor stabilization for a camera... only it's for your tonearm.
View attachment 191068
It's one of those things that later 'high-end mass-market' turntables had (Denon had their variant as well) that is just worlds beyond what you can get these days, at pretty much any price.
It’s a beautySony PS-X65
Yes. This was mine, in action:It’s a beauty
View attachment 191877
Sony PS-X65 on thevintageknob.org
vintage Sony turntable bestseller with PUA-7 tonearm and Magnedisc speed control : pretty as can be.www.thevintageknob.org
Mate, get a micro fibre cloth, some windex and clean your stuff. I too have dust all the time, but it's not a thick layer one can peel off.
Haha I like it dustyMate, get a micro fibre cloth, some windex and clean your stuff. too have dust all the time, but it's not a thick layer one can peel off.
View attachment 195254
We want a TT that sounds good not one that looks good.
Why not both?We want a TT that sounds good not one that looks good.
Possibly the most over the top version was their DP-100. Lathe motor, carbon fiber tonearm wands (S and straight), four point spring loaded suspension, magnetic tape strip/playback head tachometer servo with quartz PLL.Denons variant of Q-dampening was called "Dynamic Servo Tracer",...
What a nice and futuristic design. Never saw one like it.
In the waning days of analog, Japanese makers all had a 'statement' model. Technics made the SP-10 Mk3 with various EPA tonearms. Kenwood sold their L07d. Micro had the belt drive thing down. IMO, the Denon was the most impressive. I think someone here on ASR has the armless model.What a nice and futuristic design. Never saw one like it.