2. analog
  3. 164997-119399

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

Showing 2 responses by pgaulke60

pgaulke60 OP
292 posts
 
Thanks for the responses thus far.  I understand the benefits of a linear tracking tonearm.  From a common sense standpoint coupled with high school geometry, it does make sense.  

But if is such a good thing, then why are there so few linear tracking turntables out there?  Is it merely economics & price points?  Stands to reason that it is more expensive to produce these arms.

pgaulke60 OP
292 posts
 

Thought I would update you all on my original post from March 2021.

I invested in a Bergmann Galder Air Bearing Turntable with an Odin Liner Tracking Tone Arm.  Simply an amazing turntable and arm.  So black, so quiet.  I put a Sumiko Palo Santos Cartridge. The speed is Amazing and Constant. 33.33 to 33.34 rpms consistently.  45 RPM is the same.

This is an amazing machine.  It sounds amazing.  The soundstage, space and nuances are unbelievable.  Even my high school LPs and other cheap pressings from the 80’s are sounding sweet.

I’m sold.  I don’t know about any of the others mentioned above, but the Bergmann is hard to beat.  I did see a SOTA at Axpona that looked good, but didn’t get a change to listen to it.

This Bergmann is not a solution is search of a problem.  Only the initiated would say such a thing.  I find it hard to imagine any turntable in its price range sounding better.  Maybe a $500K Tech Das.  I find it difficult to believe, though, that is could sound better than the Galder.  
 

Need to decide what my next cartridge will be.  That will be a tough decision.

More to discover