Is there anything wrong with linear tracking turntable technology?

[Mark S.]

The then Ortofon FF15E was/is a fairly 'squat' pickup, as were the VMS models, so maybe kept the VTA a little more 'correct.' We tended to slip away from the ULM-era Duals I admit (for US based readers, the full auto-change models weren't sold here by this time and I seem to recall only the 505 models remained in this market). I can't remember which 505 model came as standard with a derived Ortofon OM model, as the then inexpensive OM20 stylus really refined the sound I remember. By the time of the popular 505-3 with proper half-inch cartridge fittings, the price was not too different from a Rega 2 and we sold as many Regas as they'd send us... I still have my stash of Duals and am eternally fond of them I have to say (last count, 1009SK2, 1019, modified 1214, 601 and my main-rig 701).

I often end up using my own 'lingua franca',

By "cam mounted" [cartridges] I'm referring to Dual's proprietary 'ULM' system.

The 1/2" adapter (and the additional counter-weight often needed) was belatedly added when they realised they'd seriously effed-up their long-term sales prospects with it.

All of which said, the 505-1 I mentioned, with its 'ULM' cartridge and spherical stylus, really did track as well or better than any deck I've owned in 40+ years, (MANY of them, ALL set up with OCD meticulousness).

 

[EJ3]

I have an SL5 and love it!

Yes, I love the linear tracking Technics.
Mine is a bit obscure but I love it anyway:

Technics SL-M3​

Quartz Controlled Direct-Drive Fully-Automatic Turntable System (1984-1988)

with linear tracking tonearm

Specifications​

Type: fully automatic

Drive method: direct drive

Motor: brushless DC motor

Drive control method: quartz phase locked control

Platter: 325mm, 2.5kg, aluminum die-cast

Pitch control: +-6% range

Speeds: 33 and 45rpm

Wow and flutter: 0.022% WRMS

Rumble: -82dB

Tonearm: dynamically-balanced linear tracking

Effective length: 238mm

Effective mass: 13g (including cartridge)

Cartridge: moving magnet

Replacement stylus: EPS-33ES

Dimensions: 526 x 205 x 425mm

Weight: 15kg

 

[EJ3]

There was a post awhile back by someone who deals in vintage equipment. Linear turntables are on his list of "things I don't buy/sell". It's because they are unreliable and unmaintainable. Of course, a new one might be OK for several years.

And it's probably one of those things like optical pickup that "looks good on paper" but doesn't make much, if any. difference in the real world. ...And of course, the records themselves are the biggest limitation. You've never going to get digital quality from vinyl, so IMO it's not worth "going crazy" trying to make tiny improvements.

My Technics SL-M3 has worked just fine since 1984... I don't quite know what to think when someone says that they are unreliable.

 

[Palmer]

Just had a guy with a SL-D5 - they are tricky to work on. Did sound pretty good with a Stanton cart. Very good YouTube video series on servicing the Technics tangentials.

 

[dlaloum]

There was a post awhile back by someone who deals in vintage equipment. Linear turntables are on his list of "things I don't buy/sell". It's because they are unreliable and unmaintainable. Of course, a new one might be OK for several years.

And it's probably one of those things like optical pickup that "looks good on paper" but doesn't make much, if any. difference in the real world. ...And of course, the records themselves are the biggest limitation. You've never going to get digital quality from vinyl, so IMO it's not worth "going crazy" trying to make tiny improvements.

My Revox B795 has run flawlessly since the mid 1980's - and I bought it used.

They are DIFFERENT from mainstream pivoted arms... and the knowledge someone has of maintaining/servicing a pivoted arm, is more or less irrelevant when it comes to linear trackers...

Also there is substantial individuality, with servo tracking efforts, alongside air-bearing designs - the two approaches are completely different, and each requires its own servicing knowledge / skills.

If the tech only knows SL1200's and their ilk... the fearsome linear trackers may well generate trepidation