The Best-Looking Garrard?

[smee4]

So, what is the minimum weight it will track at?

For solid tracking and the auto shut-off to function, it's about 4.5 grams.

I agree. I use about 5 grams, although I don't bother with autoshutoff unless I am playing LPs.

[Foxhound]

Honestly, I still have a crush on the Z2000B

If I could find a real good one, I would like to have this in my collection ...

That's a great looking turntable!

I voted for the SL95B in this poll though.

[timspell]

That's a great looking turntable!

I voted for the SL95B in this poll though.

I'm surprised you didn't vote for the Zero 100.

[Foxhound]

Yes, but one of the reasons I bought a Garrard SL95B over 35 years ago was its appearance!

[GP49]

The GT-55P is one TT that is not popular. It is very modern, with a magnesium true tangent arm (like the Zeros), belt drive with solid state speed control. It sounds spectacular, possibly due to the magnesium arm and the decoupled pivoted head which is also for the true tangent system.

I have one, but it sounds spectacularly fluttery. The GT-55 (and the GT-35, too, and perhaps others in the GT-*5 series) use the infamous Matushita UPC1003 speed control integrated circuit, a cassette deck speed governor that is legendary for failing after some years of use when put to the job of controlling a turntable's speed. And not just in Garrards, but in Panasonic/Technics/Matsushita, Kyocera, and several other brands. So many went bad, Matsushita ran out of their supply of spares YEARS ago.

I like the way a properly functioning GT-55 works, and have come up with a way to substitute a different, speed-governed motor; though it might be possible to get it to run at the 45rpm speed, at least I could get it to run reliably at 33rpm. What's needed is a DC servomotor with CLOCKWISE rotation designed to run at approximately 1200rpm (45rpm would require 1635rpm or so), with the correct diameter motor shaft to put the GT-55's motor pulley on it. They ARE available, so all I need right now is some spare time. I'm still looking for that!

[teac4010]

I have one, but it sounds spectacularly fluttery. The GT-55 (and the GT-35, too, and perhaps others in the GT-*5 series) use the infamous Matushita UPC1003 speed control integrated circuit, a cassette deck speed governor that is legendary for failing after some years of use when put to the job of controlling a turntable's speed. And not just in Garrards, but in Panasonic/Technics/Matsushita, Kyocera, and several other brands. So many went bad, Matsushita ran out of their supply of spares YEARS ago.

I like the way a properly functioning GT-55 works, and have come up with a way to substitute a different, speed-governed motor; though it might be possible to get it to run at the 45rpm speed, at least I could get it to run reliably at 33rpm. What's needed is a DC servomotor with CLOCKWISE rotation designed to run at approximately 1200rpm (45rpm would require 1635rpm or so), with the correct diameter motor shaft to put the GT-55's motor pulley on it. They ARE available, so all I need right now is some spare time. I'm still looking for that!

The GT-55 I'm "messing" with exhibits some speed "funnies". The strobe wanders a small bit (my Zero100 idler and Z2000 hybrid are rock solid) but I'm uncertain it's the motor control. The platter mass seems large enough to swamp any short term speed spikes but I wonder if the changer belt assy or bearing assy might be the culprit?

I need to get the scope out and peek at the motor circuit soon.

[1200y3]

Wandering is usually cased by the belt either imperfect or incorrectly seating the pulley.

[Holy_Cow56]

I just bought a Z2000B like the pics from "gilsev" except the base is the stepped (?) one. I now read where a lot of people hate this model but it sure does look cool! I'm not a turntable audiophile so this thing will serve my needs perfect, just to play old Bill Cosby, John Denver, etc records for my wife at present anyway. I do have a nice (to me) stereo setup. The turntable is in stunning cosmetic condition, came in the original box and packing. The seller lived nearby and he wasn't using it much anymore since he had upgraded. He says the Audio-Technica cartridge in it is OK but I haven't hooked the thing up yet. I remember lusting after these things in the 70's (grad high school in 73). I wish I had the hundreds of albums I used to own, little did I know that I would want to listen to records again someday, sigh.

[gillsev]

Glad you like the Z2000B, but as you said many people also hate it. As for me, I have totally shifted my taste to the more vintage stuff.

Take a look at my latest acquisition ...
http://www.vinylengine.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=36130

Since I have been continually acquiring 78 rpm lots lately, my search for a dedicated 78 rpm player has ended when I found this gem. It truly serves her purpose for these kind of records. It was a last minute decision that I decided for the Type A since I was initially planning for a Dual CS5000 to be my dedicated 78 rpm player. However the vintage look of the Type A (and being a record changer) made me pull the trigger on this one. Besides, it's really from the 78's era too!

[gillsev]

However, I can't dig this. It just looks like a bath tub ...

[Blue Angel]

However, I can't dig this. It just looks like a bath tub ...

Nah, a fancy chamber pot but still absolutely charming. I have that arm set up as a second arm on a grease bearing 301 for playing 78rpm shellacs.

ba

[gillsev]

However, I can't dig this. It just looks like a bath tub ...

Nah, a fancy chamber pot but still absolutely charming. I have that arm set up as a second arm on a grease bearing 301 for playing 78rpm shellacs.

ba

I've got another variant of that arm (with counterweight) on my Type A. I am using 4.0 g on my VTF for 78's. How 'bout you?

[Blue Angel]

However, I can't dig this. It just looks like a bath tub ...

Nah, a fancy chamber pot but still absolutely charming. I have that arm set up as a second arm on a grease bearing 301 for playing 78rpm shellacs.

ba

I've got another variant of that arm (with counterweight) on my Type A. I am using 4.0 g on my VTF for 78's. How 'bout you?

Hi gilsev

4.5g using a modified Shure SC35C. I'll post up some pics in a mo'.
The arm has been rewired for 2-channel bridged and an extra pin fitted to the headshell. The cartridge now has a heaver suspension and a diamond stylus with the correct 78rpm profile.

I can't belive how good Al Jolson and even Elvis sounds like on 78rpm.

Cheers

ba[img][album]14834[/album] [/img][img][album]14833[/album] [/img]

[gillsev]

Nice 301, BA!
And that arm just complements the set!

Had I not have a TD124, I would have had a 301, but for now, this is it ...