The output from the turntable is normally terminated in a pair of RCA plugs (some in BNC and DIN) in two colors, often in red and black (or white or grey). The red color is the right channel and the black (white/grey) the left channel.

The RCA plugs should be connected directly to the phono input of the amplifier, not the inputs for the CD/DVD or tape players.





However, the phono inputs are not found in some of the newer amplifiers and as such an external preamplifier or dedicated phono-stage is required in order to boost the turntable signal voltage to the level required by the amplifiers. The outputs from the phono-stage or phono-preamp should then be connected to the auxiliary inputs of the amplifier.





Dedicated phono preamplifier (phono-stage) for MM/MC cartridge



Note: MM stands for moving magnet and MC stands for moving coil.

Read Users' Comments ( 0 )

Luxman 277/282 direct-drive 2-speed turntable circa 1970-1980’s

Direct-drive assembly (top view)

Platter with foam anti-slip mate

Tonearm with cartridge

Cartridge with stylus (needle)

Read Users' Comments ( 0 )

Thorens TD150 2-speed belt-drive turntable circa 1960-1970’s

Belt drive assembly (top view)

Platter with white acrylic mate

Sub-platter

Tonearm with cartridge

headshell with cartridge

Cartridge with stylus (needle)

Read Users' Comments ( 0 )

Pioneer idler-drive 2-speed (33.3rpm & 45rpm) LP player, circa 1960-1970’s

Idler drive assembly (top view)

Platter

Platter with rubber mate

Tonearm with cartridge

Cartridge with stylus (needle)

Read Users' Comments ( 3 )

A record being played on a famous vintage Thorens TD160 turntable     

                      

LP players or turntables are gaining more and more enthusiasts these days as many are discovering or re-discovering the wonderful sounds of vinyl (analogue) and naturally they are looking for good turntables to play their favorite LPs’.

Basic components of turntables are:

a) motor drive and plinth (main body)
b) platter with or without sub-platter
c) tonearm and cartridge


This is how a turntable works: The AC or DC motor drives the platter which holds the LP through a rubber or modern-day acrylic mate, at the required speed, e.g. 33.3rpm or 45rpm, and the tonearm with the cartridge tracks the LP(record) grooves to produce electrical signals which are then fed to the input of an amplifier to produce the music/song.

Turntables can be broadly classified into three types:

1. Idler-drive
2. Belt-drive
3. Direct drive

Most of the early turntables are idler-driven and as the name implies, a rubber-rimmed idler is used to drive the turntable platter at the required speeds. Some examples of idler driven turntables are Garrard 301, Lenco L75 and Thorens 124 and many ubiquitous Japanese brands like Pioneer, Sansui, JVC, Kenwood, Akai etc.

Most of the later turntables are either belt-drive, which use a rubber belt to drive the platter/sub-platter, or direct-drive which turn the platter directly without a belt or idler.

Some examples of belt-driven turntables are Thorens 150/160 , Lenco L82, Rega Planar 3, Pioneer P12D, Sansui FR-D25, Luxman PD-210, Pro-ject 1.2 etc

Some examples of direct-driven turntables are Technics 1200MKII ,Luxman 277/282 , ADC 1700, Akai AP-D30 , Denon DP-30L etc

Read Users' Comments ( 2 )

Came across some old turntables by chance and was enchanted by the music produced by these "old junks". The music was warm compared to those we used to hear from CD's. 

Since then, I started my new adventure in hunting for all kinds of turntables of different era !

Read Users' Comments ( 0 )