Just as an extra fact, if the light has burned out, the auto play feature will not work at all. That means you can't start a record automatically, but it will still play them and return the tonearm at the end of a side.
I doubt that its specific to that one but my sony just needs some light, it doesn't have to be from the bulb since the sensors cant distinguish. If theres no light present it detects as a 12 inch and drops needle there. I assume yours is probably the same
@@codybrady6637 Yea, there are some other models that do this same thing. It's all the same basic idea. The original bulb on mine burned out and I modded it and replaced it with a blue LED.
But it's not done with the turntable, you need a matching stylus, instead the 18 micrometer of a modern stereo record, it's 65 micrometer, when the record is from the late 1940's and 1950's. Older records needs maybe 90 micrometer. Plus a different equalizer. The 500 Hz roll off boosts the low mids too much, you need a curve with 200 Hz roll off and no treble cut.
I use a modern turntable for it, but I need it to digitalize the records. It doesn't have many features, but the sound is very good and it's more easy to connect to the other devices and the PC.
@@beefs0ck911 I ended up getting one. It's not incredibly nice, but it uses the same general mechanism as the ATLP-120, just with a cheaper needle, and belt instead of direct drive.
i personally like placing the needle myself, choosing the speed, and flipping the record it’s one of the many reasons i enjoy physical music, getting to physically interact with my discs to play the songs.
record playing expectations were very different back in 1981, so all the features were a benefit back then. today the added mechanisms are seen as added sources of vibration detrimental to performance, unless ease of use is the primary goal. .
Yes, all of the added parts needed for automation cause vibration and drag on the tonearm which deteriorates sound reproduction. Audiophiles prefer manual tables for these reasons
Some years ago at a flea market, I paid $5 for a Pioneer PL-L70, which has linear tracking and it's a direct drive turntable. It just needed some cleaning, new belts and a new stylus. It still works like new today!
Most people buying a turntable today want the interactivity of selecting the speed, putting the stylus down on the record and so forth. Back in the day they made ever more complex and feature-filled turntables, edging ever closer to the end goal of "push button, hear music". Today we've reached that goal, and people who want that experience use a phone or digital media player of some sort. So now the simpler the machine and the more you have to do to run it, the better.
There was only one drawback to using the full on automatic feature: you couldn’t automatically play a 12 inch single that ran at 45 RPM unless you set the speed manually.
@@georgeprice4212 i have a Cult album from 2016 called Hidden City and it has 2 12 inch records at 45 rpm. thought my turntable was broken until i flicked the switch to 45. LOL!
I got a full auto sony and you still manually select the speed. Would be cool if the auto speed turntables had a way to detect if you're playing a 33 7 inch or a 45 12 inch
The features you explained are „nice to have“ but do not make for a better turntable. In fact, some would argue that these features are mostly available on mid-lower class turntables. Think of coffee machines. The fully automated ones do not produce the best espresso. + the more features you have, the more stuff can break.
I have 2 high-end turntables- my Thorens td166 mk2 from 1980, cannot be killed. I've used it 2 hours a day for 30 years, and never replaced anything but the belt and cartridge
I still have my Kenwood linear tracker with programmable selection. So if you want cut 7, then cut 3, then cut 1, it will do that. And repeat those too. Perfect for those albums where only a couple of tracks are good.
Where did you find a turntable like this for $100 on eBay? I've been searching for a working one for YEARS and have found zero. I have a decent turntable but would like one of the 80s ones with all the features.
I'll take a manual turntable over an automatic ANYDAY. They usually have lower noise floor (better SN ratio) and are much less problematic although, most 1970's- 80's Technics auto tables still perform perfectly.
My first classic audiophile pieces that I purchased was back around 1978-79, were a set of Hitachi separates. HMA and the matching HCA 7500 power amp and preamp!!!
There are plenty of 12 inch records that play at 45 rpm. There almost all singles with a single song taking up a whole side, but they sound way better than 33 1/3. They are the records audiophiles are after.
Those are nice features for someone who wants to simplify vinyl playback, only drawback I see is finding one that works and finding someone who can fix it if it doesn't. With the proper cartridge, it's probably not too bad!
@TokyoScarab Okay, Audio Technica probably has more cartridges than any other company on this planet. From $50 to about $15k, and you don't have to spend a ton of money to get a decent AT! Most of their units are high compliance, excellent for low mass tonearm tables, not bad ! 👍
If you are curious, my mom’s college record player - a portable model made by Zenith between 1957 and 1962, which looked like a big suitcase out of which folded speakers and a turntable - had the same feature, but deployed via a little button hidden under the turntable mat, which could tell the tone-arm where to swing depending on whether there was weight on the button or not: no weight, swing over a lot to play a 45; weight present, swing over a little to play an l.p.! Man, I loved that thing: it could play 78 r.p.m., 45 r.p.m., 33 r.p.m., and indeed the 16 r.p.m. format few people today have even heard of!! I wish we’d kept it, but we sold nearly all of our belongings for an intercontinental move. 😢 It’s probably in pieces in a Venezuelan scrapyard today.
My 1969/1970 Ferguson Stereo Minor has almost all those features (incorporated mechanically) and then some. It identifies the size of the record mechanically, using a rod that sticks up and taps the record from the bottom. It can automatically play a record as it has a record changer mechanism, meaning I can put multiple records on at once and it will play through each one one at a time (as long as the records go up in size order). It has modes for 78, 45, 33 and even 16 rpm records as well as separate knobs for Bass and Trebble and I can even adjust how much of the sound comes out of each speaker. Unfortunately I dont have the left speaker as the idea is that the player and the left speaker can separate and form a much larger soundstage that suits the listener's needs. I will find one someday and finish the set. It's all wood and metal construction so it's built like a brick. It sounds great already, Ican't imaginen how good it will sound in true Stereo. Record players really peaked with features back then.
Thanks for showing us this cool gadget, but remember, what matters is how it sounds and you have limited cartridge options with a p mount. Also, automechanisms usually are the culprit for most phantom noises in a turntable, I know,!I've had a few. Lastly, unless you are a diy guy or have a relative who can repair this stuff, you are playing Russian eBay roulette. Been there done that and these things endup costing additional 200 to 300 bucks. Remember, more features don't enhance the sound, we're not buying kitchen appliances 😊
This model I showed is not a p-mount. There is an actual headshell. The automech is also isolated from the rest of the machine to prevent that issue. As well as the tone arm being coated in a special material. Quality of life can go a long way into the music enjoyment experience as much as the baseline audio quality.
@@TokyoScarab If quality of life is a big deal, just listen to FLACs. Literally the only desirable quality of vinyl is the experience, which manually setting the tone arm contributes to.
@@omnithea I like how you assume I only listen to old media formats. I mean, I enjoy music in many forms. I also am a musician and some sample hunting I do comes from old records I find that never either got digitized or released in one way or another. One thing people have forgotten is that there's some stuff that just only exists to have gotten made that one time in history. There's many reasons to listen to music however you want. There is certainly a lot more to the vinyl experience than just moving a tone arm. One of the surprisingly enjoyable ones is just getting to listen to a single side of an album. Yes you can recreate that digitally but you'll have to look up the tracklist and find out what songs are on that side. You also have a storage format that holds the test of time. Drives can go bad and flash memory is horrible for storing data more than 3-5 years tops before data starts to fade. It's also cool in a historical aspect. Some of my record collection is just stuff my mom had when she was a teenager. The fact I can also own it and it works just fine as it was when she was younger is something you can't replicate any other way. I hope you mean well but I hope this puts your comment into a bigger perspective. Thanks for watching!
Depends on many factors what turntable is right for you. Many are starting out, and a new table may make sense. An older one with unknown history is going to make the experience a potentially poor one. Unless you are really knowing what you are buying used, and most mechanical anything will need something, buying new is not always a bad idea. Buying used for times gone by. Parts support, documentation, you need those. Many of these old and used are not supported anymore. I grew in audio, been doing it a long time. I love the vintage gear from the days gone by. I have a channel here too! If you get a well maintained turntable used, good for you. The odds are against you, it is going to need something. New you have recourse, and warranty. Used you are pretty much on your own.
Cool turntable. Only problem is when those features no longer work. Good luck finding someone to repair it for you. If we had more tech notions around these features may be a good idea.
Does it mute during the automatic cycle? I eventually replaced by Technics SL-QD33, which still worked fine for nearly 30 years, because it didn’t mute at all. I eventually went with a Sony PS-X55, which I loved so much that I wound up buying two of ’em! That unit also allows you to set the speed independently of the record size. Peace.
@@TokyoScarab don't know why it had that speed. I never used it other than playing 33s on it as a joke. I was still in grade school at the time. This is early 70s.
The 16 RPM speed was used briefly in the 1950s & early '60s for an automotive record system available on Chrysler Corp. cars called "Highway Hifi". I don't believe it was a popular item. I don't know if the discs were too difficult to obtain. I've never actually seen one. A friend of mine has a 57 Rambler with an aftermarket record player that plays a stack of regular 45 RPM discs which, in the 50s, were a very common format. Still, I don't think the automotive units were very widely accepted however.
That is beyond cool. I never regarded turntable pick-up arms as robot arms but seems like they really are. As a kid I had a record toy turntable that really worked and I could not destroy it. Just to point out how familiar I am with the turntable concept. Also a great way to set up your toy cars, then have them flung all across the room when you turn on the table at high speed.
Yeah, the level of engineering that has gone into turntables is really quite incredible especially on some of the feature heavy ones. The mechanisms in the machines that play both sides are really cool engineering as well
I truly wish there were ways to convince Hitachi to do an all-out, blazing integrated amplifier BEYOND the Luxman, and Accuphase heights, BUT MORE IN LEAGUE with Pass Labs giant INT-250 integrated! (Oh well) this turntable from them was totally sophisticated.
Agreed Audiophiles tend to poo poo auto features, even simple things like raising the tonearm at the end of the side to prevent stylus damage hitting the center label. not even counting auto return, just lift friggin arm. They claim these features would affect the sound quality. I call BS
Shhhh! Don’t tell anybody else this important secret! I’ve been able to buy turntables on eBay for about 15 years - most of them restored or serviced to perfection - and they are all superior to anything new. I keep wondering for how much longer people will be buying inferior modern tables for $500 a pop.
500 can buy you a wonderful table - the manual Fluance RT 85 for example. Then once you get to the 1500 and above range you can really hear what vinyl can sound like - provided you have the rest of the system to match.
In your opinion I would rather trust a proffessional who has been designing & building them for decades rather than bodging up an old one myself, hence Rega & Roy Gandy. Since my 50's I was influenced by him, his knowledge & expertise to eventually purchase one of his after his multiple award winners many years in a row.
In my opinion, having a manual turntable gives it that authenticity of manually playing music and the fact that it's not easy, makes it that much more special 😊
I have wanted to get one of those. That is also true with this since it's the same system. Luckily you can also rotate the mat on this as well to cover up the holes
And is a problem when playing 78s which are 8.5 inch, 10 inch or 12 inch. This one would set the stylus down in the wrong place on an 8.5 inch or a 10 inch record.
I started out with my dad's old record player which was a nice one with plenty of features (auto start/stop and return, build needle pressure gauge) and it was cool until it broke and then I could not find a repairman who would take it because it was old. So there's ups an downs to it.
Technics SL-1200. Fully manual, easy to maintain. Less complicated stuff that can give up. I actually enjoy starting, stopping and cuing manually. I've had an automatic turntable but used these features very rarely.
While convinient, more features doesn't necessarily mean better quality. But i guess it depends what is more important to you! A working fully automatic turntable will be an easier player to use for people not wanting to go down the rabbit hole of HiFi 😅
@@justindesrosiers3145 Not necessarily. Quantity over quality is something to consider on a case by case basis. I still would prefer a fully manual vintage TT over an automatic one.
@@justindesrosiers3145I would say there is somewhat of a correlation, just look at high end tables of now and of the past, most of which were fully manual. There are some examples of automatic standing out but those are mostly exceptions. You can also think of it this way: if you're buying a product that simply does one thing or 5 things. Is the bulk of the cost going into one thing or distributed into five things? If it's distributed the one thing in common between the two will not be the same quality.
@@zach2954 Logically, it works this way, but when you start putting real numbers onto the table, you start to realize that… No. More features dosen’t mean less audio quality. VWestlife made a video where he debunks a similar (but dumber) statement to yours (not that yours is dumb, just wanted to clarify) Here’s the link th-cam.com/video/Vqtuj2f19vA/w-d-xo.html
I use a fully manual belt drive turntable today, mostly because it was the cheapest thing better than a suitcase, but I’m working on restoring a 1959 fully automatic changer, so I might put a nice needle on it and reduce the tracking force.
That's awesome and I wish you the best of luck! The turntable I showed in that video I bought and had to do a little restoration on, but it wasn't much. Mostly that the bulb had burned out and the player wouldn't run without a light source present.
Its nice to buy new & no matter what anyone says the materials & tech has improved over the years, I cant think of one past teak or plastic older turntable or deck that matches my Rega planar 3 with carbon arm & the skills of its designer with a picked team rather than the japanese factorys making those mass plastic designs from the 60's onward. They are still making cheap systems but being 65 years of age I have seen most of them dissappear. I also treat mine with more respect today recognising the quality in them. Oh & the sound quality.
But that turntable isn't readily available today. However, modern-day turntable has features or at least options that the 1980s can't compare, and a fully automatic functionality doesn't make it better. That was just the technologically back then. The turntable is definitely cool.
That is a very cool setup, I wonder if anybody is working on bringing that back. And if they do bring it back my fear is they're going to charge an arm and a leg for it. Let us pray that if they bring it back that greed won't take over.🙏
You did not know these were the best days ever in life if you We're Young and reallycould afford the albums way before the OMG terminology throw the 1981 Luther Vandross excuse me 1980 never too much and had a stereo like this I can't say no more I love it thank you for your video and your time it just took me off guard it took me to another place way back when❤🍻🥩🥳🥓💯🇺🇸🥳🙏❤️👍 very nice stereo I wish I could find one in this kind of shape🥂✌️🍻
The auto features often do not sync with the record diameter or the record’s lead -in groove and this error will easily damage the cartridge stylus. This is why smart folks stay clear of automatic turntables, And, after all, if it’s convenience that’s desired then just connect Apple Music via AirPlay to a receiver for ultimate convenience as well as lifelike sound.
Hah! ☺ Those "features" became obsolete when Kids started (Scratching, Spinning & Flipping) Vynal Records, before CD's. If you're old like Me, Welcome to Gerasic Park.
Alot of retro stuff, yamaha, pioneer, marantz, is very collectable now, model dependant and the build of some of the vintage equipment is really good, wooden cabinets etc
That's all fine and good, but finding one that still works like it should is the hard part. I miss my old BSR MA65 changer with its Pickering V-15 MM cartridge but parts do wear out over time. So, until they come out with a modern version of that I'll just stick with my new Pioneer DJ turntable.
I have a u-turn orbit record player with upgraded plinth, cartridge, ect. I love the sound, hate the lack of features. I know I'd listen to more records if it was auto. To change the speed, I have to manually move the belt to another spindle. It's a royal pain. Quality sound is important, but so is ease of use. I'm going to find a technics auto player one of these days, but I may take a closer look at this hitachi. I do have a lot of depeche mode 12' singles that play at 45rpm. So, it's tough to win completely.
It is a Hitachi HT-66S. They sometimes come up on eBay from time to time. I got mine for under $100. There are other automatic turntables that work like this. If you look for automatic turntables, that should help. They aren't all created equal, so you'll have to do some research into the ones you come across. Picking out a turntable that fits your needs is a very satisfying process 😃
That is Not a beautiful turntable. This is.... th-cam.com/video/vKFQ8B4cx64/w-d-xo.htmlsi=mrJ0eqGQe0DGI9bn Skip to 34 minutes, if you don't want to watch it being crafted. 😏
Something to be said about the manual stuff with more mechanical ops and the ability to be repaired. I enjoy the ritual to starting a record, but I certainly see the cool factor in one-touch tech :)
These turntables are mechanical wonders. Just replace the caps, lube the motor shaft, and lever joints and you are good to go for decades of operations.
@@TokyoScarab Considering that these are consumer turntables that are mass manufactured, the design, engineering and assembly required is astounding. I missed out in the 80's where I could not afford to collect all of these. But now that I can, they don't make these anymore.
Automatic record players have existed for a very long time. They weren’t as advanced back in the day, but they could automagically play multiple records in sequence. You had to input the size and speed, and very few could do mixed sizes, but you could set the records up, leave it to do it’s thing for a couple hours if you have LP records, and then go back to switch them out once it’s done
![If you can't hear this then you're not an audiophile [See description for link to followup video]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/48PxwspDvrE/mqdefault.jpg)
![[TH] VALORANT Champions Seoul - Semi-Final - SEN vs TH](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/IewhVY9cAmQ/mqdefault.jpg)
Just as an extra fact, if the light has burned out, the auto play feature will not work at all. That means you can't start a record automatically, but it will still play them and return the tonearm at the end of a side.
Price of an antique like this?
I doubt that its specific to that one but my sony just needs some light, it doesn't have to be from the bulb since the sensors cant distinguish. If theres no light present it detects as a 12 inch and drops needle there. I assume yours is probably the same
@@codybrady6637 Yea, there are some other models that do this same thing. It's all the same basic idea. The original bulb on mine burned out and I modded it and replaced it with a blue LED.
What is the make and model of this turntable? Please respond!
@meuls82 yeah, I want a t.t. with a blue light and remote control!!!
I wish more turntables had a 78 rpm mode, I have lots of 78s and it took me an eternity to find a good quality turntable that was 3 speed
But it's not done with the turntable, you need a matching stylus, instead the 18 micrometer of a modern stereo record, it's 65 micrometer, when the record is from the late 1940's and 1950's. Older records needs maybe 90 micrometer.
Plus a different equalizer. The 500 Hz roll off boosts the low mids too much, you need a curve with 200 Hz roll off and no treble cut.
Vintage Dual turntables have 78 speed.
I use a modern turntable for it, but I need it to digitalize the records. It doesn't have many features, but the sound is very good and it's more easy to connect to the other devices and the PC.
Victrola makes a good three speed that can digitize your records
@@beefs0ck911 I ended up getting one. It's not incredibly nice, but it uses the same general mechanism as the ATLP-120, just with a cheaper needle, and belt instead of direct drive.
i personally like placing the needle myself, choosing the speed, and flipping the record
it’s one of the many reasons i enjoy physical music, getting to physically interact with my discs to play the songs.
Stylus!!!!! NEVER touch your records with needles folks, please!
@@williamhelms1781 stylus is the needle babes
That’s how you scratch your record, record, record, record…
@@williamhelms1781I like playing my vinyls with needles
@@williamhelms1781craggha how the hell am I supposed to play music then
For anyone wondering what model this is, it appears to be a Hitachi Automatic Turntable Model HT-66S.
thank you
record playing expectations were very different back in 1981, so all the features were a benefit back then.
today the added mechanisms are seen as added sources of vibration detrimental to performance, unless ease of use is the primary goal. .
Yes, all of the added parts needed for automation cause vibration and drag on the tonearm which deteriorates sound reproduction. Audiophiles prefer manual tables for these reasons
Some years ago at a flea market, I paid $5 for a Pioneer PL-L70, which has linear tracking and it's a direct drive turntable. It just needed some cleaning, new belts and a new stylus. It still works like new today!
You said it’s a Direct Drive” so what does it need a new belt for?😮
@@ianstorm45 It needed a belt that drives the tonearm.
@@ianstorm45yes..... Direct drive was said..... But linear tracker was also mentioned.
I've owned a Pioneer PL-518 direct drive auto shut-off turntable since 1976. No belts to replace. Has always worked perfectly.
I have three "old" Technics turntables: a 1978 1200 MK2 manual, a 1979 automatic, and a 1983 automatic. They work just perfectly.
Worth a fortune mate. Keep hold of them.
Most people buying a turntable today want the interactivity of selecting the speed, putting the stylus down on the record and so forth. Back in the day they made ever more complex and feature-filled turntables, edging ever closer to the end goal of "push button, hear music". Today we've reached that goal, and people who want that experience use a phone or digital media player of some sort. So now the simpler the machine and the more you have to do to run it, the better.
I’m a DJ my favorite is the Technics SL- 1200. Such a great quality turntable too
The most cliched thing i've ever read
@@DavidB-py8nz thanks😊
Gr8 deck. I'm just a vinyl listener and I have one. Sounds good. Best thing about it is bass, plus no motor noise. Good on 70s 80s sh.
@@FBA_AllTHEWAYHow much does it cost to own one???
I have the SL-1300. A GEM
There was only one drawback to using the full on automatic feature: you couldn’t automatically play a 12 inch single that ran at 45 RPM unless you set the speed manually.
Which happened seldom
@ wrong. I witnessed it numerous times. Especially since the majority of the 12 inch 45’s in the 80’s were UK and German imports.
@@georgeprice4212 i have a Cult album from 2016 called Hidden City and it has 2 12 inch records at 45 rpm. thought my turntable was broken until i flicked the switch to 45. LOL!
Also there are 8.5 inch 78s. How is it going to cope with those?
I got a full auto sony and you still manually select the speed. Would be cool if the auto speed turntables had a way to detect if you're playing a 33 7 inch or a 45 12 inch
The features you explained are „nice to have“ but do not make for a better turntable. In fact, some would argue that these features are mostly available on mid-lower class turntables.
Think of coffee machines. The fully automated ones do not produce the best espresso. + the more features you have, the more stuff can break.
I have one from the 70s! Love it to pieces!!
I have 2 high-end turntables- my Thorens td166 mk2 from 1980, cannot be killed. I've used it 2 hours a day for 30 years, and never replaced anything but the belt and cartridge
Good old 80s tech! Luv it!
Don't forget the plethora of linear trackers with track selection. The technics are some of my favorites at the moment.
I still have my Kenwood linear tracker with programmable selection. So if you want cut 7, then cut 3, then cut 1, it will do that. And repeat those too.
Perfect for those albums where only a couple of tracks are good.
Where did you find a turntable like this for $100 on eBay? I've been searching for a working one for YEARS and have found zero. I have a decent turntable but would like one of the 80s ones with all the features.
I'll take a manual turntable over an automatic ANYDAY. They usually have lower noise floor (better SN ratio) and are much less problematic although, most 1970's- 80's Technics auto tables still perform perfectly.
My first classic audiophile pieces that I purchased was back around 1978-79, were a set of Hitachi separates. HMA and the matching HCA 7500 power amp and preamp!!!
There are plenty of 12 inch records that play at 45 rpm. There almost all singles with a single song taking up a whole side, but they sound way better than 33 1/3. They are the records audiophiles are after.
I'm using a 1978 techniques turn table built like a tank and still sounds great. And that's even because my cartridge must be at least 12 yrs old
Technics ?
@@AWLor0 🙂 yes! autocorrect!
Which model?
@@jacktrippa5563 SL1800
I have 3 SLB2'S they are terrific
I have my grandfather's record player from 1968. It still works. There's a switch that's used to select which record size/speed to play.
Those are nice features for someone who wants to simplify vinyl playback, only drawback I see is finding one that works and finding someone who can fix it if it doesn't. With the proper cartridge, it's probably not too bad!
@@ricardoflot2787 I changed out the cartridge and it sounds really nice
@@TokyoScarab Interesting, what phono cartridge did you choose?
@@ricardoflot2787 I don't remember what exact one off hand but it was an Audio Technica
@TokyoScarab Okay, Audio Technica probably has more cartridges than any other company on this planet. From $50 to about $15k, and you don't have to spend a ton of money to get a decent AT! Most of their units are high compliance, excellent for low mass tonearm tables, not bad ! 👍
This is the coolest record player! I've never seen one with these features.
Old Pioneer tables are superb!
If you are curious, my mom’s college record player - a portable model made by Zenith between 1957 and 1962, which looked like a big suitcase out of which folded speakers and a turntable - had the same feature, but deployed via a little button hidden under the turntable mat, which could tell the tone-arm where to swing depending on whether there was weight on the button or not: no weight, swing over a lot to play a 45; weight present, swing over a little to play an l.p.! Man, I loved that thing: it could play 78 r.p.m., 45 r.p.m., 33 r.p.m., and indeed the 16 r.p.m. format few people today have even heard of!! I wish we’d kept it, but we sold nearly all of our belongings for an intercontinental move. 😢 It’s probably in pieces in a Venezuelan scrapyard today.
My 1969/1970 Ferguson Stereo Minor has almost all those features (incorporated mechanically) and then some. It identifies the size of the record mechanically, using a rod that sticks up and taps the record from the bottom. It can automatically play a record as it has a record changer mechanism, meaning I can put multiple records on at once and it will play through each one one at a time (as long as the records go up in size order). It has modes for 78, 45, 33 and even 16 rpm records as well as separate knobs for Bass and Trebble and I can even adjust how much of the sound comes out of each speaker. Unfortunately I dont have the left speaker as the idea is that the player and the left speaker can separate and form a much larger soundstage that suits the listener's needs. I will find one someday and finish the set. It's all wood and metal construction so it's built like a brick. It sounds great already, Ican't imaginen how good it will sound in true Stereo. Record players really peaked with features back then.
Thanks for showing us this cool gadget, but remember, what matters is how it sounds and you have limited cartridge options with a p mount. Also, automechanisms usually are the culprit for most phantom noises in a turntable, I know,!I've had a few. Lastly, unless you are a diy guy or have a relative who can repair this stuff, you are playing Russian eBay roulette. Been there done that and these things endup costing additional 200 to 300 bucks. Remember, more features don't enhance the sound, we're not buying kitchen appliances 😊
This model I showed is not a p-mount. There is an actual headshell. The automech is also isolated from the rest of the machine to prevent that issue. As well as the tone arm being coated in a special material. Quality of life can go a long way into the music enjoyment experience as much as the baseline audio quality.
@@TokyoScarab thanks, my bad!
Yep, he is correct. This one has a headshell. I want to know the model number
@@TokyoScarab If quality of life is a big deal, just listen to FLACs. Literally the only desirable quality of vinyl is the experience, which manually setting the tone arm contributes to.
@@omnithea I like how you assume I only listen to old media formats. I mean, I enjoy music in many forms. I also am a musician and some sample hunting I do comes from old records I find that never either got digitized or released in one way or another. One thing people have forgotten is that there's some stuff that just only exists to have gotten made that one time in history. There's many reasons to listen to music however you want. There is certainly a lot more to the vinyl experience than just moving a tone arm. One of the surprisingly enjoyable ones is just getting to listen to a single side of an album. Yes you can recreate that digitally but you'll have to look up the tracklist and find out what songs are on that side. You also have a storage format that holds the test of time. Drives can go bad and flash memory is horrible for storing data more than 3-5 years tops before data starts to fade. It's also cool in a historical aspect. Some of my record collection is just stuff my mom had when she was a teenager. The fact I can also own it and it works just fine as it was when she was younger is something you can't replicate any other way. I hope you mean well but I hope this puts your comment into a bigger perspective. Thanks for watching!
Depends on many factors what turntable is right for you. Many are starting out, and a new table may make sense. An older one with unknown history is going to make the experience a potentially poor one. Unless you are really knowing what you are buying used, and most mechanical anything will need something, buying new is not always a bad idea. Buying used for times gone by. Parts support, documentation, you need those. Many of these old and used are not supported anymore. I grew in audio, been doing it a long time. I love the vintage gear from the days gone by. I have a channel here too! If you get a well maintained turntable used, good for you. The odds are against you, it is going to need something. New you have recourse, and warranty. Used you are pretty much on your own.
Cool turntable. Only problem is when those features no longer work. Good luck finding someone to repair it for you. If we had more tech notions around these features may be a good idea.
Does it mute during the automatic cycle? I eventually replaced by Technics SL-QD33, which still worked fine for nearly 30 years, because it didn’t mute at all. I eventually went with a Sony PS-X55, which I loved so much that I wound up buying two of ’em! That unit also allows you to set the speed independently of the record size. Peace.
Oh yeah, super quiet.
I absolutely need this in my life
Excellent I want one of these. Everyhing old is new again.
I still have my turntable I bought in 1975 😱 and my Rotel amp which fried lower quality speakers😅
Japanese engineers of the 80s were just the best.
So what happens if you're plaing a 45RPM 12" single? Or a 10" record?
This is also my question!
My guess is the speed button will let you switch between 45 and 33 rpm.
@gbunag3 yup
Guess you wasn't born in the 80s? Am guessing late 90s to 2000s?
The only turntable I'm as happy with as my SL-1200 is my other SL-1200.
Fun fact: Soviet singles were usually also 33RPM
So beautiful
I remember having a turntable with 16 rpm speed.
Oh wow, that's super slow. I'm not familiar with what records would have played at those speeds. What would you use in it?
@@TokyoScarab don't know why it had that speed. I never used it other than playing 33s on it as a joke. I was still in grade school at the time. This is early 70s.
They were used for speech records
I had a suitcase turntable as a child that did all 4 speeds, was mono and had a tube based amp. I think it was made in the 50s.
The 16 RPM speed was used briefly in the 1950s & early '60s for an automotive record system available on Chrysler Corp. cars called "Highway Hifi". I don't believe it was a popular item. I don't know if the discs were too difficult to obtain. I've never actually seen one. A friend of mine has a 57 Rambler with an aftermarket record player that plays a stack of regular 45 RPM discs which, in the 50s, were a very common format. Still, I don't think the automotive units were very widely accepted however.
That is beyond cool. I never regarded turntable pick-up arms as robot arms but seems like they really are.
As a kid I had a record toy turntable that really worked and I could not destroy it. Just to point out how familiar I am with the turntable concept.
Also a great way to set up your toy cars, then have them flung all across the room when you turn on the table at high speed.
Yeah, the level of engineering that has gone into turntables is really quite incredible especially on some of the feature heavy ones. The mechanisms in the machines that play both sides are really cool engineering as well
Awesome turntable , good video my friend 👍
I truly wish there were ways to convince Hitachi to do an all-out, blazing integrated amplifier BEYOND the Luxman, and Accuphase heights, BUT MORE IN LEAGUE with Pass Labs giant INT-250
integrated!
(Oh well) this turntable from them was totally sophisticated.
My Marantz 6200 is a highend TT and has autoplay/ repeat features. Don't understand why they don't make high-end TT with auto features anymore
Agreed
Audiophiles tend to poo poo auto features, even simple things like raising the tonearm at the end of the side to prevent stylus damage hitting the center label. not even counting auto return, just lift friggin arm.
They claim these features would affect the sound quality. I call BS
Shhhh! Don’t tell anybody else this important secret! I’ve been able to buy turntables on eBay for about 15 years - most of them restored or serviced to perfection - and they are all superior to anything new. I keep wondering for how much longer people will be buying inferior modern tables for $500 a pop.
I will for sure. Warranty and parts mean a lot to me. I don’t live in a major city so mailing my TT to a source to fix it sounds like a fortune
500 can buy you a wonderful table - the manual Fluance RT 85 for example. Then once you get to the 1500 and above range you can really hear what vinyl can sound like - provided you have the rest of the system to match.
Same here lol
I don’t know about that. There’s a ton of great new turntables being made today. Technology has improved since the 70s.
In your opinion I would rather trust a proffessional who has been designing & building them for decades rather than bodging up an old one myself, hence Rega & Roy Gandy. Since my 50's I was influenced by him, his knowledge & expertise to eventually purchase one of his after his multiple award winners many years in a row.
In my opinion, having a manual turntable gives it that authenticity of manually playing music and the fact that it's not easy, makes it that much more special 😊
I have a Denon DP-65F with the same features but it gets confused when playing colored vinyl.
I have wanted to get one of those. That is also true with this since it's the same system. Luckily you can also rotate the mat on this as well to cover up the holes
I have a Denon DP-45F and it doesn't like transparent or translucent vinyl either. You have to use it manually to play those.
Fully automatic takes half of the fun out of playing records. Manually dropping the needle onto your record is a very satisfying experience.
And is a problem when playing 78s which are 8.5 inch, 10 inch or 12 inch. This one would set the stylus down in the wrong place on an 8.5 inch or a 10 inch record.
Just listened to it over the speakers in my phone - as per usual these days, sounds pretty nice indeed.
Had one similar in 80s that was semi automatic. Had to put needle on and change the speed but it would then go back and repeat if u didn't turn off.
I started out with my dad's old record player which was a nice one with plenty of features (auto start/stop and return, build needle pressure gauge) and it was cool until it broke and then I could not find a repairman who would take it because it was old. So there's ups an downs to it.
What make & model turntable is this?
Hitachi Automatic Turntable Model HT-66S
This is excellent, as long as sound quality is not a priority
@@JurongStrangler what if it also sounds very good?
Fun fact. They still make automatic recor players. Tgey range from 200 usd to thousands
Wow over 40 years old...made me smile!
I got a Technics SL-1950 that auto moves and drops a 2nd vinyl down. It’s fully mechanical using all gears
Technics SL-1200. Fully manual, easy to maintain. Less complicated stuff that can give up. I actually enjoy starting, stopping and cuing manually. I've had an automatic turntable but used these features very rarely.
As a newbie turntable owner / producer I like the idea of manually changing speed to get more creative with sampling. Cool to know this exist though
I've got a fully automatic Technics SL-7 linear tracker, it even has a spring loaded twist-to-activate puck for 7" inch records as well.
While convinient, more features doesn't necessarily mean better quality. But i guess it depends what is more important to you! A working fully automatic turntable will be an easier player to use for people not wanting to go down the rabbit hole of HiFi 😅
Ok but more features dosen’t mean worse sound… It’s not like it’ll add noise and distorsion or anything
@@justindesrosiers3145 Not necessarily. Quantity over quality is something to consider on a case by case basis. I still would prefer a fully manual vintage TT over an automatic one.
@@zach2954 Why? For the experience? Because sound-wise there’s no correlation between the number of features and distorsion
@@justindesrosiers3145I would say there is somewhat of a correlation, just look at high end tables of now and of the past, most of which were fully manual. There are some examples of automatic standing out but those are mostly exceptions. You can also think of it this way: if you're buying a product that simply does one thing or 5 things. Is the bulk of the cost going into one thing or distributed into five things? If it's distributed the one thing in common between the two will not be the same quality.
@@zach2954 Logically, it works this way, but when you start putting real numbers onto the table, you start to realize that… No. More features dosen’t mean less audio quality. VWestlife made a video where he debunks a similar (but dumber) statement to yours (not that yours is dumb, just wanted to clarify)
Here’s the link th-cam.com/video/Vqtuj2f19vA/w-d-xo.html
I use a fully manual belt drive turntable today, mostly because it was the cheapest thing better than a suitcase, but I’m working on restoring a 1959 fully automatic changer, so I might put a nice needle on it and reduce the tracking force.
That's awesome and I wish you the best of luck! The turntable I showed in that video I bought and had to do a little restoration on, but it wasn't much. Mostly that the bulb had burned out and the player wouldn't run without a light source present.
@@TokyoScarab Thank you, I'll need it.
I think my Denon does this too and it’s one of the few that are actually workhorses.
That’s a lovely turntable I still have my Akai ap 006 from 1978 I just cant bring myself to get rid of it
What is this turntable?! I love it. Name of the turntable?
They made some quality equipment back then.
Its nice to buy new & no matter what anyone says the materials & tech has improved over the years, I cant think of one past teak or plastic older turntable or deck that matches my Rega planar 3 with carbon arm & the skills of its designer with a picked team rather than the japanese factorys making those mass plastic designs from the 60's onward. They are still making cheap systems but being 65 years of age I have seen most of them dissappear. I also treat mine with more respect today recognising the quality in them. Oh & the sound quality.
Great. What about 12" Maxi Singles? They run at 45 rpm.
BY FAR all my favorite audio gear came from the seventies!!!!
Really handy for all my 10” records and my 12” 45’s!
It’s also built like a toy!
But that turntable isn't readily available today. However, modern-day turntable has features or at least options that the 1980s can't compare, and a fully automatic functionality doesn't make it better. That was just the technologically back then. The turntable is definitely cool.
My recordplayer don't have any features. But its a Technics SL 1200 MK2. So, the Sound is quite good with an Ortophon Concord Gold System on its arm .
well that's a different class of machine. But I think his point still stands.
My automatic record changer from 1965 does this, it just uses a pressure plate conviniently located to detect if its 12 inch or a 6 inch single
That is a very cool setup, I wonder if anybody is working on bringing that back.
And if they do bring it back my fear is they're going to charge an arm and a leg for it.
Let us pray that if they bring it back that greed won't take over.🙏
But it will take over because the vinyl records market is to niche nowadays.
I was being too hopeful you're right😃
My tonearm doesn't even have a cueing lever. You pick up the arm, and you put it down where the stylus needs to be. Works perfectly.
I had one that actually detected the tracks and would play them in any order I programmed. I can't remember the brand.
You did not know these were the best days ever in life if you We're Young and reallycould afford the albums way before the OMG terminology throw the 1981 Luther Vandross excuse me 1980 never too much and had a stereo like this I can't say no more I love it thank you for your video and your time it just took me off guard it took me to another place way back when❤🍻🥩🥳🥓💯🇺🇸🥳🙏❤️👍 very nice stereo I wish I could find one in this kind of shape🥂✌️🍻
I have that album, and was really hoping you'd play Rhythm To The Rhyme.
Technics sl1210 MK2 is still the best, pity they don't make them anymore
The auto features often do not sync with the record diameter or the record’s lead -in groove and this error will easily damage the cartridge stylus. This is why smart folks stay clear of automatic turntables, And, after all, if it’s convenience that’s desired then just connect Apple Music via AirPlay to a receiver for ultimate convenience as well as lifelike sound.
i have an EMT table and what a machine that is! Now i'm modding a Perpetuum direct drive. You can not find this kind of quality anymore.
Hah! ☺ Those "features" became obsolete when Kids started (Scratching, Spinning & Flipping) Vynal Records, before CD's. If you're old like Me, Welcome to Gerasic Park.
Alot of retro stuff, yamaha, pioneer, marantz, is very collectable now, model dependant and the build of some of the vintage equipment is really good, wooden cabinets etc
That's all fine and good, but finding one that still works like it should is the hard part. I miss my old BSR MA65 changer with its Pickering V-15 MM cartridge but parts do wear out over time. So, until they come out with a modern version of that I'll just stick with my new Pioneer DJ turntable.
I'm going to be refurbishing my 1978 RadioShack automatic LAB 400 soon I just bought a new Pro-Ject Essentials III Sgt. Pepper themed TT.
I have a Pioneer Linear Tracking turntable like this. Just push a button and it knows. I think it was made in 1987
I have a u-turn orbit record player with upgraded plinth, cartridge, ect. I love the sound, hate the lack of features. I know I'd listen to more records if it was auto. To change the speed, I have to manually move the belt to another spindle. It's a royal pain. Quality sound is important, but so is ease of use. I'm going to find a technics auto player one of these days, but I may take a closer look at this hitachi. I do have a lot of depeche mode 12' singles that play at 45rpm. So, it's tough to win completely.
Yeah, quality of life stuff can help a bunch and make it easier to enjoy the music. Also Violator is a BANGER album!
What is the model called? I really want to to pick that up
✨️Nice ✨️Had the Same one Many years ago ✨️when the arm goes down it goes gently ✨️
Hey, man, what kind of turntable is this? It looks so cool that I’m thinking about getting one for myself. Are they very expensive?
It is a Hitachi HT-66S. They sometimes come up on eBay from time to time. I got mine for under $100. There are other automatic turntables that work like this. If you look for automatic turntables, that should help. They aren't all created equal, so you'll have to do some research into the ones you come across. Picking out a turntable that fits your needs is a very satisfying process 😃
Thank you very much for your help, sir! God bless you and have a wonderful day!
Yep I had the Pioneer PL 400 that did all this with the SX-D7000 amp receiver and 822a speakers 🔊
The EP by Stevie Wonder that comes with Songs in the Key of life is a 7inch that spins at 33rpm. So not always right.
Beautiful turntable
That is Not a beautiful turntable.
This is....
th-cam.com/video/vKFQ8B4cx64/w-d-xo.htmlsi=mrJ0eqGQe0DGI9bn
Skip to 34 minutes, if you don't want to watch it being crafted.
😏
I have a Realistic direct drive I bought in '83 that has similar features
That was a good turntable
I had one of those but gave it to my friend. Could never get rid of the humming.
I love my Technic SL-1200's. They are tanks.
Now check the Sharp VZ-2500 - all this and it also plays both sides without having to turn the record around!
Something to be said about the manual stuff with more mechanical ops and the ability to be repaired. I enjoy the ritual to starting a record, but I certainly see the cool factor in one-touch tech :)
These turntables are mechanical wonders. Just replace the caps, lube the motor shaft, and lever joints and you are good to go for decades of operations.
Yeah, the engineering that goes into these is just astounding
@@TokyoScarab Considering that these are consumer turntables that are mass manufactured, the design, engineering and assembly required is astounding. I missed out in the 80's where I could not afford to collect all of these. But now that I can, they don't make these anymore.
Shure 15 type iv was stylus of choice.
Automatic record players have existed for a very long time. They weren’t as advanced back in the day, but they could automagically play multiple records in sequence. You had to input the size and speed, and very few could do mixed sizes, but you could set the records up, leave it to do it’s thing for a couple hours if you have LP records, and then go back to switch them out once it’s done