RCA Dimensia linear tracking turntable question

[Geoman076]

This is model number MTT 135. I recently bought one of these, and it is in like new condition, still in it's original box with the manual. The guy who I bought it from had the whole Dimensia system and just never hooked up the turntable. I like it because you put in records kind of like they're cds (a front window moves upward and a tray slides out), and you can actually program the song order (it has a laser tracking device).

My question is should this be a showpiece to just show off a neat older turntable, or could I use it to play my better albums without worrying about damage?

Any info on this particular turntable would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!!

[Steve Hoffman]

Can you post a picture of this beast? Or a link to a picture?

[Geoman076]

I'll take a picture tomorrow and try my luck at posting it. I believe it's from the early 80's.

[Steve Hoffman]

Or try and find a picture on the web and give us a link.

[Holy Zoo]

Is this it?

http://www.cedmagic.com/museum/dimensia/mtt135.html

http://www.cedmagic.com/museum/dimensia/mtt135.jpg

[Geoman076]

Found it!

http://www.cedmagic.com/museum/dimensia/mtt135.html

Thanks for the idea Steve, that was easy!

[Geoman076]

Yup, that's it!

[Steve Hoffman]

How is the stylus? Take an album you don't care about, and try it out.

Inner groove distortion?
General trackability
Rumble?
Etc....

[RetroSmith]

I love this stuff!!!

[thegage]

I think it's a great curiosity piece, but I'd be a bit worried about using it with my better albums. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I think arm movement on this is servo-controlled. I don't know about RCA's implementation of this, but on some of the other Japanese 'tables that used a servo system, there were often larger tracking errors (with greater side forces and potential record damage) than with a pivoted arm. Set up, alignment, proper working order, etc. were of vital importance. Even NIB, after all these years, what with lubrication evaporating and drying up, I'd be careful.

John K.

[Geoman076]

Thanks John,

After taking another look at it, I think that my audiophile lps will stay clear. It will be cool to set up and play regular lps on though!

[Gary Freed]

A unique looking piece.

Does anyone know if audiophile TT's with straight arms still made?

[Pinknik]

Originally posted by Gary Freed
A unique looking piece.

Does anyone know if audiophile TT's with straight arms still made?

Yup, Eminent Technology (I believe) still makes linear tracking arms for mounting on nice turntables, and The Walker Proscenium Gold and Rockport Sirius III both come with linear arms (for about 25,000 and 70,000 dollars, respectively) :eek:

[Gary Freed]

Very cool! I remember back in the 70's there were straight arms that were very excellent and a bit less expensive. What happened?

[Dan C]

Check out this rare beauty by Marantz:
http://www.classic-audio.com/marantz/SLT.html
(click on the photo for a better look)

Dan C

[Gary Freed]

That's more like it Dan. Thanks for the great pic.
Do you know how much it went for?

[rontokyo]

I don't know if this is either relevant or helpful, but about 17 years ago I had a linear-tracking turntable with the programmable feature as I, too, thought it would be cool to be able to program selected songs. Wouldn't work on clear records and many times, if the width of the "silence" between songs wasn't wide enough, it wouldn't program correctly. Can't remember the maker, but I got fed up with it before too long.

[thegage]

Gary,

Currently manufactured linear arms are available from Eminent Technology (about $2500), Clearaudio (more), Air Tangent (more again), and others I can't remember at the moment. Used ET arms go from $400 to $800 or so depending on what comes with them. If you feel like doing it yourself, check out the following link: http://www.aiko.com/roscoe/airbearingarm.html. It's very basic, but also very well regarded.

John K.

[Gary Freed]

Hi John,

Thanks for the info. I'm going hunting!

[Dan C]

Originally posted by Gary Freed
That's more like it Dan. Thanks for the great pic.
Do you know how much it went for?

I have no idea but I don't think they made many. It was one of the last high end products from the original Marantz company before it was sold.

I recall Tom Port, AKA Humorem, saying that he wasn't fond of linear arms after experimenting with them for some time. He apparently never was able to get them to track correctly and went back to standard arms. It would be great if he posted here more often these days.

Dan C

[thegage]

"He apparently never was able to get them to track correctly"

That was my point about servo-style arms. Air-bearing linear arms are a different matter altogether, and in fact are usually excellent trackers.

John K.