Automatic Turntables

David, I should put on my glasses more often when I look at my gear. Indeed, I have the bayonet mount headshell as well and it takes standard mount cartridges. thank you for pointing this out. John

??? - My JVC QL-Y5F is very definitely an SME type bayonet fit headshell S-arm

I do use quite a few p-mount cartridges on it, but I use these via either a p-mount adapter on a standard headshell, or on a Technics SH90S p-mount bayonet adapter...

Info on the QL-Y5F here: http://www.vinylengine.com/library/jvc/ql-y5f.shtml

And yes they are great tables - the entire QL-Y range (5/7/55/66/77)

And you do see them around...

bye for now

David

There are still a few JVC QLY5F's that come up for auction from time to time. Only draw back is it is a P-mount, limits cartridge selection somewhat. I bought mine on the day the first space shuttle blew (watched it live in the audio shop) and it is still going strong.

Dual still makes automatic and semi-automatic turntables.

Thanks. I'll check it out.

Hi Audiogabby,

I would suggest searching fleabay, audiogon, the various audiophile forum sales sections...

But also Yahoo auctions Japan - I think the Japanese sites are the most likely place to find them - I've seen some there a few times over the last year or so...

They are also excellent audioporn sites!

Check out the 80's versions of the Technics tables. The SL-1300 MK2 was quartz locked speed controlled fully auto version(I have the SL-150 MK2, the fully manual armless version) or the SL-1400 MK2 semi automatic version.

You may be able to find these on EBay at resonable prices. They are pretty good TTs, even by today's standards. Although with any auto/semi-auto version you have to use the Technics arms.

I recently obtained a Scott automatic TT on fleabay for really cheap (under $100.00). I got it because I have some Scott tube equipment and I thought it would be nice to round out the collection with another Scott product. I did not expect it to sound good. In fact, I was just going to put it on a shelf. One day I had nothing to do and for fun I put a Grado black cartridge on it and fired it up. I was very suprised by the sound. Very detailed, very clear and very easy to listen to. It compares quite well to my NAD533 which is a Rega P2 clone and sold for amost four times what I paid for the Scott. You may want to look into one.

The below models have auto lift at end of record and auto shut off. Auto return is NOT necessary as it adds a motor underneath the tonearm, just more things to break and resonate. All have really decent arms.

JVC QL-A7, same as QL-7 but with auto lift & shut off, detachable headshell.

Yamaha YP-D71, JVC coreless motor, detachable headshell.

Kenwood KD-770D, coreless motor, excellent tonearm with detachable headshell with offset angle on straight armwand.

Technics SL-M2, two versions: P-mount or detachable headshell(hard to find).

I also agree with Dlaloum from above.

______

Dlaloum,
Where can I find an interchangeable arm tube for my JVC QL-Y66F?

From the same era, using the same technology, and according to some, designed by the same design team...

The JVC QL-Y series (5/7/55/66/77) - all have the electro mechanical servo damped arm, the later top models have magnetic bearing direct drive motors, and interchangeable arm tubes - so they can be low mass straight arms or mid-mass S-arms depending on the tube fitted.

I would not stress too much about the Ortofon Omega - the cartridge body itself is completely standard OM series, so by replacing the stylus you can upgraded it to an OM20/30/40.

Also the Omega is a surprisingly good cartridge, even if it doesn't get much respect from audiophiles... very much an undervalued cartridge. (it is effectively a rebadged OM5 I believe - and sold for less than the price of an OM5 stylus)

I particularly like the Denon, JVC, and Sony Biotracer electro mechanical arms, as the automatic function is achieved without gears/levers and doodads that can gum up or interfere with playback performance.
Also the servo damping really does work and makes them very very versatile, able to match up with a wide variety of cartridges, that might have resonance problems due to compliance/mass mismatches with a non damped arm.

Very highly recommended tables

Other interesting automatics:
Pioneer PL-L1000/1100, Yamaha PX1/2/3, Revox (this one is sort of automatic/semi-automatic), Mitsubishi LT20/30

My Mitsubishi LT 30 has all those things and sounds great. Mine has had some upgrades (Litz wire tone arm cable, WBT RCAs connectors, new caps in the motor for more torque & better speed stability, extra damping). It couldn't be easier to set up carts.

Music Direct has a Denon DP-300F here is the description clipped from their website

The Denon DP-300F is a belt driven table with great speed accuracy, a sophisticated tonearm, a DC motor and a balanced aluminum platter. The DP-300F couldn’t be easier to use. Start and stop at the touch of a button. The arm lifts up after playing a record. Switch between 33 and 45 without having to move the belt. Dustcover is included. The DP-300F even has a pre-mounted moving magnet cartridge and a built-in MM phono preamplifier. Just connect the DP-300F to any input on any audio system and you’re ready to spin wax!

and a link
http://www.musicdirect.com/p-4968-denon-dp-300f-fully-automatic-turntable.aspx
I don't think it gets much easier to use.It looks pretty nice although I have not herd it

Look for a Yamaha YP-701.

Terrific arm and very reliable.

IMO

Operanutlgb2,
( you Know who He is!) and sold to me a with a Garbage cartridge: Autofon "Omega"! ( He kept That fact to himself!)

I know who you are talking about. I'm dealing with him right now and i'm very dissapointed.

Very reliable. Currently own two, one as a back up.

For some reason this sounds contradictory to me. ;-)

All the Denon 'F' series are full auto, repeat included. Look for the 47F model, it is a winner. Very reliable. Currently own two, one as a back up. I have given a few of these to my children hoping to get them interested in vinyl, in a painless way. The 47, paired with a 160 cartridge, or Shure 97 offers a sensible way to enjoy vinyl. Little chance of a damaged stylus. I have an VPI Aries, with a 2K ClearAudio cartridge, SDS etc. and unless you point out the sonic difference to people, most can't tell which is better. Also, if you run across a Sony 800, tangential tracking, jump on it. I have one running with a Grace Ruby. It also is fully auto.