I know this dosen't qualify as hi-fi, but I figure I'll ask here anyhow.
Did anyone manufacture a record changer capapble of the following
functions?

1. tracks at 2 grams or less
2. can accomodate a magnetic cartridge
3. does not damage records
4. wow and flutter, as well as rumble are low enough as to not ruin
enjoyment of music, while played through a hi-fi speaker system.
5. (preferably) platter stops turning before next record drops.

I am thinking Dual, or BIC, but these decks are all from way before my
time so I figured I'd ask here. I have been considering getting a
changer just for casual listening, but I don't want something like an
old BSR or Collaro which is going to eat my records.

thanks

Max

I know this dosen't qualify as hi-fi, but I figure I'll ask here anyhow.
Did anyone manufacture a record changer capapble of the following
functions?

1. tracks at 2 grams or less
2. can accomodate a magnetic cartridge
3. does not damage records
4. wow and flutter, as well as rumble are low enough as to not ruin
enjoyment of music, while played through a hi-fi speaker system.
5. (preferably) platter stops turning before next record drops.

I am thinking Dual, or BIC, but these decks are all from way before my
time so I figured I'd ask here. I have been considering getting a
changer just for casual listening, but I don't want something like an
old BSR or Collaro which is going to eat my records.

thanks

Max







#3 is impossible and #4 is highly unlikely.

"MaxH" wrote in message
I know this dosen't qualify as hi-fi, but I figure I'll ask here
anyhow. Did anyone manufacture a record changer capable of the
following functions?

1. tracks at 2 grams or less

Lots.

2. can accommodate a magnetic cartridge

Even more. There was a class of magnetic cartridge that was more-or-less
designed for changers. Robust would be a good word.

3. does not damage records

Much more likely if you don't actually use them as changers...

4. wow and flutter, as well as rumble are low enough as to not ruin
enjoyment of music, while played through a hi-fi speaker system.

A fair number, the better Duals, for example.

5. (preferably) platter stops turning before next record drops.

I'll tell you the truth - I owned at least two changers, but I don't recall
actually ever using them as changers. One was a Garrard Lab 80 which was an
overhyped POS, and the other was a Dual 1229, which was really quite nice.
Dual did a lot to make changers socially and technically acceptable, IMO.

I am thinking Dual, or BIC, but these decks are all from way before my
time so I figured I'd ask here.

I never got any hands-on experience with BIC products (yes BIC once imported
Garrard, but I don't think that is what is being talked about here). I'd
like to hear about other people's experience with them.

I have been considering getting a changer just for casual listening, but
I don't want something like an
old BSR or Collaro which is going to eat my records.

Not to mention sound like @!$#!!. Add brands like VM and Glaser-Steers to
that list of brands to avoid. Miracord made some changers that looked pretty
nice.

thanks

Max

Max H wrote:


I know this dosen't qualify as hi-fi, but I figure I'll ask here anyhow.
Did anyone manufacture a record changer capapble of the following
functions?

1. tracks at 2 grams or less
2. can accomodate a magnetic cartridge
3. does not damage records
4. wow and flutter, as well as rumble are low enough as to not ruin
enjoyment of music, while played through a hi-fi speaker system.
5. (preferably) platter stops turning before next record drops.

I am thinking Dual, or BIC, but these decks are all from way before my
time so I figured I'd ask here. I have been considering getting a
changer just for casual listening, but I don't want something like an
old BSR or Collaro which is going to eat my records.

thanks

Max








I can only agree with what's already been said. I think it's hghly unlikely
that if you purchase a changer, you can avoid damaging your records.
Therefore, I 'd encourage you to get a decent single-play record player, either
used or new, depending on your budget. Among the brands you might want to
consider are the following:

1. VPI
2. Rega
3. Thorens
4. Project and/or Music Hall

If at all possible, try and purchase a belt-drive turntable, and avoid Japanese
brands powered by direct-drive motors.

For reasonably priced cartridges, it's hard to beat Grado, which makes a very
large range of magnetic cartridges at many different price points.



Bruce J. Richman

On Wed, 18 Feb 2004 16:50:55 -0500, "Arny Krueger"
wrote:

"MaxH" wrote in message
5. (preferably) platter stops turning before next record drops.

I'll tell you the truth - I owned at least two changers, but I don't recall
actually ever using them as changers.

IIRC, the Glaser-Steers and Miracords did this.

Kal

"Bruce J. Richman" wrote:

Max H wrote:

I know this dosen't qualify as hi-fi, but I figure I'll ask here anyhow.
Did anyone manufacture a record changer capapble of the following
functions?

1. tracks at 2 grams or less
2. can accomodate a magnetic cartridge
3. does not damage records
4. wow and flutter, as well as rumble are low enough as to not ruin
enjoyment of music, while played through a hi-fi speaker system.
5. (preferably) platter stops turning before next record drops.

I am thinking Dual, or BIC, but these decks are all from way before my
time so I figured I'd ask here. I have been considering getting a
changer just for casual listening, but I don't want something like an
old BSR or Collaro which is going to eat my records.

thanks

Max








I can only agree with what's already been said. I think it's hghly unlikely
that if you purchase a changer, you can avoid damaging your records.
Therefore, I 'd encourage you to get a decent single-play record player, either
used or new, depending on your budget. Among the brands you might want to
consider are the following:

1. VPI
2. Rega
3. Thorens
4. Project and/or Music Hall

If at all possible, try and purchase a belt-drive turntable, and avoid Japanese
brands powered by direct-drive motors.

For reasonably priced cartridges, it's hard to beat Grado, which makes a very
large range of magnetic cartridges at many different price points.

Bruce J. Richman

Hi Bruce,

Thanks for the advice. Here is my logic behind the changer idea. I already have a
couple decent turntables, the changer idea is pretty much for listening to sets of
records where one has sides 1 and 4, and the other has sides 2 and 3. It would also
be handy for when I have people over, and don't want to do the whole taking off one
record and putting on another ritual every 20 minutes. If I limited my changer use
to records which I picked up for $5, or are already fairly worn, that could be OK
too... all the same I don't want to end up ruining my collection for convenience.
(I have experience with BSR and Garrard units and it was not very good!!) I could
save the expensive records for the good turntable. My McIntosh Preamp does have two
turntable inputs, so it would be no problem to have the changer as a second
turntable.

I agree with you completely about Grado - I've been using one for a while now, and
find it a cut above the other low priced cartridges like Audio Technical and Shure.
If I do buy a changer, I intend to fit it with a Grado.

Max

Arny Krueger wrote:

"MaxH" wrote in message
I know this dosen't qualify as hi-fi, but I figure I'll ask here
anyhow. Did anyone manufacture a record changer capable of the
following functions?

1. tracks at 2 grams or less

Lots.

Very good to know, this was one of my biggest concerns, as I'd probably use it
with a Grado black I have sitting around.



2. can accommodate a magnetic cartridge

Even more. There was a class of magnetic cartridge that was more-or-less
designed for changers. Robust would be a good word.


Again, good to know. I wouldn't want to bother with a ceramic or crystal cart.


3. does not damage records

Much more likely if you don't actually use them as changers...


That's a shame.


4. wow and flutter, as well as rumble are low enough as to not ruin
enjoyment of music, while played through a hi-fi speaker system.

A fair number, the better Duals, for example.


Excellent to know.


5. (preferably) platter stops turning before next record drops.

I'll tell you the truth - I owned at least two changers, but I don't recall
actually ever using them as changers. One was a Garrard Lab 80 which was an
overhyped POS, and the other was a Dual 1229, which was really quite nice.
Dual did a lot to make changers socially and technically acceptable, IMO.


My experience is limited mostly to Thorens and a couple Japanese single play
turntables. I did own a cheap BSR changer which was made in the late 70s, but I
only ever used it with 45's. To put it nicely, it's not the class of gear I am
interested in owning.


I am thinking Dual, or BIC, but these decks are all from way before my
time so I figured I'd ask here.

I never got any hands-on experience with BIC products (yes BIC once imported
Garrard, but I don't think that is what is being talked about here). I'd
like to hear about other people's experience with them.


I am talking about the range of BIC turntables which were made in the USA after
Garrard became its own distributor. These *may* have been OEM'd by V-M, but they
were higher quality than a typical console unit. There is a fair amount of info
available about them on the net, but what isn't mentioned is if they damage
records.


I have been considering getting a changer just for casual listening, but
I don't want something like an
old BSR or Collaro which is going to eat my records.

Not to mention sound like @!$#!!. Add brands like VM and Glaser-Steers to
that list of brands to avoid. Miracord made some changers that looked pretty
nice.


Glaser steers is one of the ones I was considering... they did make one unit for
Heathkit in the early 60s, which looks decent enough, although I have a hard
time believing it could track a Grado properly. There is currently one on eBay,
I think.



thanks

Max

On Wed, 18 Feb 2004 15:42:23 -0700, MaxH wrote:


Glaser steers is one of the ones I was considering... they did make one unit for
Heathkit in the early 60s, which looks decent enough, although I have a hard
time believing it could track a Grado properly. There is currently one on eBay,
I think.

Stay away from G-S.

Kal

Kalman Rubinson wrote:

On Wed, 18 Feb 2004 15:42:23 -0700, MaxH wrote:

Glaser steers is one of the ones I was considering... they did make one unit for
Heathkit in the early 60s, which looks decent enough, although I have a hard
time believing it could track a Grado properly. There is currently one on eBay,
I think.

Stay away from G-S.

Kal

OK. So far the Duals look like the best bet, however I am going to try to find out a
little more about the BIC's before I start looking seriously on eBay, etc. I do like
the looks of the older decks, like the G-S, etc, but I don't want to end up with a
piece of junk.

MaxH wrote:

I know this dosen't qualify as hi-fi, but I figure I'll ask here anyhow.
Did anyone manufacture a record changer capapble of the following
functions?

1. tracks at 2 grams or less
2. can accomodate a magnetic cartridge
3. does not damage records
4. wow and flutter, as well as rumble are low enough as to not ruin
enjoyment of music, while played through a hi-fi speaker system.
5. (preferably) platter stops turning before next record drops.

Dual and Thorens made nice changers, IIRC, but the reality is
that it is going to be hard on the records compared to a single
play machine.

"Max Holubitsky" wrote in message

Kalman Rubinson wrote:

On Wed, 18 Feb 2004 15:42:23 -0700, MaxH wrote:

Glaser steers is one of the ones I was considering... they did make
one unit for Heathkit in the early 60s, which looks decent enough,
although I have a hard time believing it could track a Grado
properly. There is currently one on eBay, I think.

Stay away from G-S.

Kal

OK. So far the Duals look like the best bet, however I am going to
try to find out a little more about the BIC's before I start looking
seriously on eBay, etc. I do like the looks of the older decks, like
the G-S, etc, but I don't want to end up with a piece of junk.

People have been saying Glaser Steers often enough that I finally remembered
that I once owned one. It was a real POS. High-friction undamped die cast
tone arm , lots of rumble, poorly-designed suspension, high-friction
end-of-record trip mechanism.