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Experience With Linear Tracking Turntables

Ever since the advent of the Bang & Olufson linear tracking turntables of the 70's & 80's I have always wondered about their sound, function and longevity.  If you own a linear tracking turntable, I would appreciate your thoughts compared to standard pivot tonearm turntables.

Was looking at the Bergmann Magne Turntable & Tonearm "system".

Would appreciate some first hand experiences.  Do these turntables and associated tonearms function without many issues?  Does the arm track without friction?  And so on.

Your experiences would be appreciated.

Thanks and Happy Listening.
pgaulke60
vinylzone
288 posts
 
If I recall, the B&O LT turntables moved the arm mechanically by detecting slight changes to the geometry of the arm.  In other words, they used tracking error measurements to correct the position of the arm.  

I remember hearing them back in the day.  I wasn't terribly impressed.  Especially with slightly off center records.

electrorob
1 posts
 

The Mitsubishi LT-20 (or LT-22) linear trackers are excellent. They allow VTA adjustment, and they accept a standard SME headshell. This table with a moving coil micro linear stylus will absolutely wipe the floor with 99.9% of the turntables on the used and new market. 

clio09
3,349 posts
 

I owned a couple of the B&O tables with linear tracking arms in the past (3300 and 8002) as well as the Technics SL-10. While I was very happy with all 3 tables, I kept going back to my direct drive tables with pivot tonearms, but like @lewm I came to really appreciate the B&O cartridges of which I have the MMC1 and 2, as well as a Soundsmith Carmen II. Now I use a PTP Audio table with two pivot tonearms mounted on it, and while I am still intrigued with linear tracking options, I don't see the need to revisit them.

acresverde
380 posts
 

I've been using a Walker Proscenium Gold since '96. Everything is still original and works fine. Just pay extreme attention to levelling and the arm will track friction free.

riverdinaudio's avatar
riverdinaudio
41 posts
 

I am a fan of the Mitsubishi LT-30 or Pioneer PL-L1000 variants.  If you find ones that operate correctly. The only issue I have ever seen with the LT-30 is the tiny arm lift belt  inside the tonearm housing.  Pain to get to.  But both arms use a standard removeable headshell.  There are so many others to choose from.  I own many!  One word of caution.  If you are interested in linear tracking because you think they are in anyway superior to pivoted arms.  Stay with pivoted arms.  Linear

tracking arms bring a whole bag of issues with them.  But the fun and cool factors are off the chart!!  

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