Linear tracking turntables, whatever happened?

@uber

These are very good comments but I am still left wondering what was wrong with the general consumer models like the Revox, B&O, Technics etc that caused their lack of acceptance.

There was absolutely nothing wrong with the Technics linear tracking turntables. They solved so many problems to do with the difficulty and complexity (for non-technically-inclined types) of setting up a conventional tonearm by ushering in the innovative P-Mount system. Technics was and still is light years ahead of most others in respects of speed stability, and they’ve done very well with their TNRC anti-resonant polymeric compounds. I still own the first turntable I bought, from back in 1981 or thereabouts: the Technics SL-DL5 direct drive linear tracking turntable, and it sounds great, as good today as ever. I’ve since bought the quartz regulated model, the SL-QL5, and it sounds even better. These turntables were also very attractively designed, with a very low profile and sloping dustcover, beautiful materials and sleek, high quality controls. The only thing keeping me from using these for daily use is my SL-1700mk2 which has an Audio-Technica VM540ML cartridge with line contact stylus, which is in my humble opinion, close to being as good as it gets.

A pity that the general public did not share your enthusiasm Sleepwalker.

I have never tried one of the 80,s linear tables but maybe I will.

Clearaudio has several linear arms starting at the ~$4K range. I had thought about getting the TT-5 for my Ovation (to replace the Magnify arm) but opted for their top of the line tangential arm instead, the Universal. The TT-5 and their other linear trackers are considered finicky to set up and keep dialed in, so I am told. The Universal was easy-peasy for me to setup and dial-in, and is a set it a forget it system. It sounds fantastic and ended up one of the best upgrades I’ve done.

Is there a place that could fix Mitsubishi LT-30? I believe it is only a tonearm belt, but I may be wrong.

Having said that, maybe linear tracking turntables had more to break down?

They were great but like anything with complexity they can (will) fail over time and could be difficult to repair.  You can still see some listed for sale on craigslist in major cities from time to time.  Nothing beats the simplicity and reliability of a direct-drive turntable with a pivoting tonearm.