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newbie turntable/speed control question

Hi, I'm basically new to good audio (I've spent most of my life collecting software, and haven't paid much attention to hardware until lately).

I'm currently using a Thorens TD 125/II with the stock Thorens arm. I want to trade up--I loved the Michell Gyrodec SE I heard a while back--but also want to balance great sound with one feature that I hope won't be considered silly here: convenience. What I mean is that I want a two-speed turntable where I can change from 33 to 45 without lifting off a platter and adjusting the belt. I have a collection of over 1000 7"s, a good number of which are 33 rpm, and the idea of lifting off a platter to switch belts every 5 minutes (or the idea of arranging my listening by record speed) makes my Thorens seem a lot nicer than it sounds.

So I'm wondering if anyone can let me know which high-end turntables include a speed control switch? This is something that I almost never see mentioned in reviews (hopefully this omission isn't because most turntables don't have speed control switches these days!). I know the Regas don't, and the LP-12 Lingo does, but apart from that I'm at sea.

Any advice and/or thoughts appreciated. Thanks in advance.

P.S. I don't need any more convenience than this! I'm happy without a tonearm lift, auto shut-off, strobe, etc.
am_dial24fb

Showing 2 responses by am_dial24fb

am_dial24fb OP
3 posts
 
Cmk wrote: "I think what he means is: Is there an option to vary the speed on the table after selecting 33/45rpm?"

Nope. Maybe I wasn't entirely clear. I'm not talking about pitch control--i.e., fine tuning of speed, which my TD-125/II has--but rather just a way to switch between 33 and 45 without playing with belt, pulley, or platter. That is, I want a button or lever I can press to change from 33 to 45 and back.

Thanks, Twl, for the tip on the Teres--hadn't heard of the line before, but I checked out their website and some reviews, and am intrigued. Will investigate further, though I guess it'll be hard to listen to one without going to Colorado...

So, besides the aforementioned 'tables (Teres, Oracle, LP-12 with Lingo), are there any other hi-fi 'tables that allow one to switch automatically between 33 and 45? Anyone?

Thanks for all the advice so far.
am_dial24fb OP
3 posts
 
Many thanks, again, to everyone for responding.

Rockinroni, that Aurora TT does look nice, and certainly seems a good price. Do most DC motors these days allow this sort of speed switching? (Isn't this how the Lingo upgrade on the Linn changes speeds?) Or, I guess, I could always swap that Origin Live DC motor into another turntable.
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