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

 

[Autoline]

Hi, I just want to show the swedish made Forsell Air Reference. Air bering platter as well as air bearing linear tonearm. This is the Mk1 that has a different design of the arm. Dr. Peter Forsell produced these around 1990 and they have a reputation of being in the league of Goldmund Reference and to be one of the best turntable ever made. Some say that they are a nightmare to adjust…I claim the opposite. The turntable are soon 40 years old so some TLC, cleaning, polishing of the arm tubes, floaters, adjustments etc. After that, all that is needed is to adjust the pressure and voila….it just works and require no fiddling at all. Do it right and it will be good for another 30+ years.
It is not easy to find information about this turntable on the net. Forsell Airborne is another name that you might stumble on when searching for info, I believe it is the same or if the airborne is the name on the tonearm. Back in the days I had this arm on an Opus Continuo concrete player. The flywheel version should be better in terms of wow and flutter, but it takes up more space. I don’t know how many that was made but probably some 100-200 pcs. Vinyl died, CD was better (!?) and Dr. Peter Forsell started to invent med.tech equipment and implants from what I understand. He owns several patents today and lives in Switzerland, doing VERY well on his work.
Second hand prices differs from top prices in the US and Japan (10000 usd plus) to more moderate prices in Sweden/Scandinavia, if you can find one that is…
Mine has a new motor (the original was actually quite poor anyway) and apart from that it is original.
BR/Patrik

 

[Anders ljungberg]

Not new, they are vintage products which have been refurbished and repackaged as pricey limited editions.

New exist to
https://bergmannaudio.com/linear-tracking-turntable/

https://www.techeblog.com/miniot-wheel-3-vertical-vinyl-record-player/

https://www.reddit.com/r/turntables/s/GR2hvxYyxs

 

[geol]

I am looking for the brand of a tangential tonearm that manufactured a model with a detachable Ortofon/SME headshell. It might have been a DIY kit.