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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
13 responses Add your response
rockinroni's avatar
rockinroni
287 posts
 
Yes, you could do the dc motor up grade.
I used to use and still have a Systemdek turntable, it needed upgrading. I decided to get a new Rig instead of getting a new arm/cartridge and doing the motor upgrade.

something you should consider while shopping for a turntable is.
look at this thread;

Strange Tonearm Tweak. Long

Good luck and just remember compared to good Analog CD sucks
shahens
27 posts
 
Well Tempered TTs also use the 2 size pully system and just sliding the belt up or down on the pully will change the speed.
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.
rockinroni's avatar
rockinroni
287 posts
 
The New Origin Live Aurora belt drive Turntable with its dc motor and motor drive unit lets you adjust between the speeds of 33 and 45 buy turning a switch on the motor drive.
The drive unit also has a provision for you to fine-tune the speed (pitch control) using a strobe so you can always be sure you are bang on with your speed. Do yourself a favor and check them out. Excellent value in my opinion
the_smokester
174 posts
 
The SME TT's have what you asking for.
ohlala
1,235 posts
 
Nottinghams don't have a switch, but changing the belt from the smaller to larger diameter part of the motor assembly (located, bare on the top of the plinth) is nearly as effortless. In fact, it takes less than 5 seconds ;).
cmk
397 posts
 
The Kuzma Stabi and Stabi Ref allow easy switching of speeds.
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.
psychicanimal
1,738 posts
 
Check out the modded Technics 1200 @ http://www.kabusa.com. There is a review on the tonearm fluid damper. A serious TT for those who want to *play* records...
cmk
397 posts
 
I think what he means is: Is there an option to vary the speed on the table after selecting 33/45rpm?

I'm using the Kuzma Stabi and there is an option to fine tune the speed up/down in the power supply. The power supply has some dip switches allowing fine control which allows me to get it just right.
newbee
4,767 posts
 
The Oracle Delphi for one. However there are a number of tables that have an exposed motor pully and you simply move the belt on the pully. You don't have to lift the platter to get convenience and the expense of such a player. Look at the Nottinghams for instance - that's what I'm doing.
twl
3,251 posts
 
All Teres models have 33 and 45 speeds. You just hold the button down for 5 seconds to select 45 on a Teres.
jameswei
883 posts
 
Check out what can be done by power line conditioners. For example, VPI's SDS operates by taking wall power and generating its own output sine wave, much as an amplifier creates music from wall current. The SDS allows the user to vary the frequency of its output power, not just for fine tuning turntable speed, but also with a switch that allows you to go from 33 rpm to 45 rpm. There are other power line conditioners for turntables, but I have only had personal experience with the SDS. Aside from the convenience, you might ultimately also want a power line conditioner because they are said to improve the sound.
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