Experience With Linear Tracking Turntables
I used to own a VPI TNT 3 table with an ET2 tonearm. I loved the arm, but wound up selling the TT/Arm combo years ago, and I'm sorry I did. It could be a pain to set up, but with the right table and patience, it was capable of amazing things. Bruce is still making and servicing them. They come up occasionally on the used market for a reasonable price. |
While theoretically better, I am not capable of hearing the difference of my carefully aligned pivoted arm and a linear arm. Features are often significantly different. I had a Pioneer, programmable, stackable drawer type, like this https://www.bonanza.com/listings/Vtg-Pioneer-PL-V70-Linear-Tracking-Drawer-Loading-Programmable-Turn... I have used 3 compact Technics Linear Tracking TT, here’s one https://www.ebay.com/itm/Technics-SL-7-Linear-Tracking-Turntable-Refurbished-Top-to-Bottom-Read-Desc... this one is programmable, great fun in the days of making cassettes from specific LP tracks https://www.ebay.com/itm/Technics-SL-J3-Quartz-Direct-Drive-Linear-Tracking-Turntable-Serviced/11469... often the compact size/arm mechanism limits it to the P mount Cartridges. Adapters 1/2"/P mount exist but may not fit. I lucked into this Vertical Linear TT which has conventional and removable headshell. You can use essentially any cartridge (within compliance guidelines) https://audio-database.com/MITSUBISHI-DIATONE/player/lt-5v-e.html A lot of these combine auto drop/auto lift/auto return. .................................. If Direct Drive, verify it is the preferred 'Quartz Locked' version. |
Hi, The Bergmann Galder is a very well put together unit. It has vacuum clamping a big plus and uses an air cushion thrust system like the TechDas turntables, also a plus. Unlike the TechDas tables it does not have an adequate isolating suspension. It has a DC motor. I personally prefer AC 3 phase motors and suspended tables. Air bearing arms are virtually frictionless and it is very spooky how they slide along. Unfortunately (here he goes again) they have a very high horizontal effective mass which in my opinion and the opinion of my oscilloscope causes havoc with every cartridge I have seen in such an arm. Air bearing arms are very sensitive to level. They have to be just right or they will favor one direction over the other. If you get the Galder I would put a pivoted arm on it. If you want a tangential tracker by all means get a Schroder LT or if you have money to spare a Reed 5T. Both arms are superior in design to the Bergmann arm and would look very sharp on that turntable. For this kind of money I think your should look at the Dohmann Helix. It has possibly the best suspension of any turntable available today, a great drive system and will soon have vacuum clamping. |
