Topic: Playing vinyl with lasers (LT-1LRC)

[kskreider]

http://www.elpj.com/about/index.html

Not mentioned in above link:

LT-1LRC: Plays 45's and LP's, US$14,999
LT-1XRC: Plays 45's, LP's & 78's, $16,999
LT-2XRC: Plays 45's, 78's & any size LP, $18,999

[BC]

I am not a vinyl guy myself, but I heard these laser record players are very sensitive to surface imperfections.

[anodyne33]

I am not a vinyl guy myself, but I heard these laser record players are very sensitive to surface imperfections.

Laser Beam Position is Easily Adjusted
Occasionally, audio information read at the standard laser position is seriously damaged due to wear from a very big needle. In this instance, you can adjust the laser position up or down using a button on the LT's front panel in order to enjoy better sound quality (this is called the VSO system).

That being said, I'm not planning on dropping 15K on a "turntable" any time soon.

[jpschust]

I am not a vinyl guy myself, but I heard these laser record players are very sensitive to surface imperfections.

Laser Beam Position is Easily Adjusted
Occasionally, audio information read at the standard laser position is seriously damaged due to wear from a very big needle. In this instance, you can adjust the laser position up or down using a button on the LT's front panel in order to enjoy better sound quality (this is called the VSO system).

That being said, I'm not planning on dropping 15K on a "turntable" any time soon.

dropping a few k on a table is worth it, im not sure my ears can hear 13k of difference.

i'll take vinyl over any digitally recorded media any day.

[carlbeck]

If I had 15k to spend I would spend it on a turntable in a heartbeat, don't think it would be on that one though.

[MJ]

Check this machine

http://www.laserturntable.com/about/index.html

It is worth of knowing it.  People started buying this player like crazy.

[carlbeck]

I wouldn't spend 15k on that one either   

[audBall]

When I was in AZ, I was at a local show and met another local taper.  Since it wasn't a 'serious' taping event....just local guys foolin' around on stage....we decided to swap mics between songs through each other's pre.  After the show he asks if I want to stop by his place, which is right down the road, to do some comps.  I didn't really know the guy so I was a little apprehensive at first but figured "what the hell....why not...get to know another taper in the area". 


ANYWAYS......he has one of those laser turntables at his place.  He also has a truly gorgeous Aries turntable as well.  Apparently he has pics of his gear online...check em out here:

http://www.hexadecimalx.com/thumbnails02.html

btw, the frames on the wall are LCD monitors....had no idea at first.  I was like, "Wow, he must really like black pictures." 


It is true about adjusting the laser needle on these.  Supposedly, if you find an area that is typically scratchy with a normal stylus, by moving the laser up or down you may be able to find a cleaner area in the groove and bypass the imperfections.

[guysonic]

Trivia backstory on the laser turntable from knowing their VP of marketing (Allen Evelyn) is it was originally designed by Finial Technology Corporation in Sunnyvale California around 1986.  The company built only 3-4 fully working units before the second round of funding ran out, then sold the technology (rather cheaply) to a company in Japan. 

Although the turntable worked in at least an 'OK manner' back then, noises from playing less than ideal dust-free clean groove surfaces did pose a significant problem that needed to be solved.

[guysonic]

Trivia backstory on the laser turntable from knowing their VP of marketing (Allen Evelyn) is it was originally designed by Finial Technology Corporation in Sunnyvale California around 1986.  The company built only 3-4 fully working units before the second round of funding ran out, then sold the technology (rather cheaply) to a company in Japan. 

Although the turntable worked in at least an 'OK manner' back then, noises from playing less than ideal dust-free clean groove surfaces did pose a significant problem that needed to be solved.

a twist of irony: I am posting from Sunnyvale, CA.  (queue zone theme)  Do you know if any of the prototypes are still here in town?

I doubt any remain from the original protorun.  Person that may know is Allen Evelyn who at last contact ~ 8 years ago was VP of marketing at Bose Corporation.  I do not have record of contact TEL or email for him.

[BobW]

Stevie Wonder has two, perhaps he'll sell you one ?   

[stlram]

These have been around for 20 years or so. I remember when Final was showing them off and actually selling them. I believe they went into a short run production but had some initial problems. As mentioned the company was sold to a Japanese firm who has been trying to directly sell them through the back pages of Stereophile and the Absolute Sound for years. About two years ago Micheal Fremmer reviewed one and shortly there after TAS reveiwed one. I believe on a whole Mikey liked it but I think TAS panned it.

Ray