The Ultimate turntable?

**muse77** · **02-18-07, 07:31 AM**

How about this for a turntable?
http://www.laserturntable.com

Never wear out an album again.

Bryan

**Danny** · **02-19-07, 04:25 AM**

I would love one but can't afford the starting price of $15000. It's a great idea though. and they are hand made.

**geekwithfamily** · **02-19-07, 08:51 AM**

I don't know how popular these players are, I remember a review from a couple years ago saying they sound great. I wonder why vinyl freaks who are willing to spend that kind of money avoid this player?

It may take away from the visceral nature of the needle in the groove, and the pride in a precision cartridge alignment.

I'd also wonder if the technologies used remind enthusiasts too much of a CD player (or really LD) and assume that the pure analog signal is mangled into digital at some point (though I bet it isn't).

Another fear could come from watching one too many James Bond movies and assuming lasers could easily cut through your favorite LP like they did to Sean Connery's pants.

**muse77** · **02-20-07, 08:12 AM**

Quote:

geekwithfamily wrote:

Another fear could come from watching one too many James Bond movies and assuming lasers could easily cut through your favorite LP like they did to Sean Connery's pants.

I wonder how well it will play my "3 albums for a dollar"?
Now if the price could drop to about $200.00

Bryan

**ifeliciano** · **05-21-07, 09:00 AM**

Quote:

geekwithfamily wrote:

I don't know how popular these players are, I remember a review from a couple years ago saying they sound great. I wonder why vinyl freaks who are willing to spend that kind of money avoid this player?

Just like you stated this player has, at some point, to do digital, and for the vinyl freaks that is a no-no.

**Bob_99** · **05-21-07, 10:06 AM**

Quote:

I would love one but can't afford the starting price of $15000.

Actually, you're in luck. They're having a sale. Does this help you out any?

Bob

Model Speed (rpm) Disc Size (inches) Old Price New Price
LT-1LRC 33, 45 7", 10", 12" US $15,000 US $9,900
LT-1XRC 33, 45, 78 7", 10", 12" $17,000 $13,000
LT-2XRC 33, 45, 78 7", 8", 9", 10", 11", 12" $19,000 $14,000

**Otto** · **05-21-07, 10:49 AM**

Quote:

ifeliciano wrote:

Just like you stated this player has, at some point, to do digital, and for the vinyl freaks that is a no-no.

Well, they don't offer much information on how it actually works, but they did state this in the FAQ:

Quote:

LaserTurntable FAQ wrote:

Q: Does the LT digitize the audio signal from the record?
A: There is no digitization. The LT maintains a constant analog audio signal.

**jackfish** · **05-21-07, 01:05 PM**

So instead of stylus deflection responding to the contours of the grooves, it is the length of the reflected laser beam corresponding to the contours of the grooves which is then converted into an analog current? Reflected light converted to an analog signal instead of a mechanical movement.

**Otto** · **05-21-07, 03:42 PM**

I would imagine it would be something like that... I don't see a need to sample the signal, so, yeah, it doesn't have to be digital (and as Ivan pointed out, no analog freak is going to pay that much for a digitizing turntable!).

**Chrisbee** · **05-21-07, 04:32 PM**

Nothing new under the sun.. I remember reading about something similar way back in the 70s. That was just a laser stereo cartridge I think. Never heard any more.

**ifeliciano** · **05-23-07, 10:38 AM**

Quote:

Otto wrote:

Well, they don't offer much information on how it actually works, but they did state this in the FAQ:

I guess I need to study my LASER's a little more

. The way I see it. Most analog purist want to keep the originality of the traditional turntable. The unit, like geekwithfamily said, resembles too much of a CD or LD transport system. With the ejecting tray and all. I guess since a laser is being used, the unit needs to be enclosed. Anyone know what class laser it is ?

Ivan

**jackfish** · **05-23-07, 11:35 AM**

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

**planet10** · **06-02-07, 12:08 PM**

Quote:

Chrisbee wrote:

Nothing new under the sun.. I remember reading about something similar way back in the 70s.

This is actually a development of a table that goes back to the 70s.

And as far as expensive TTs, $15k is pretty easy to spend these days, with dozens of choices in that price range... with a number of tables now costing north of $50k (Goldmund has a TT now that costs a quarter million dollars!!) $15k doesn't seem alll that much.

dave

**muse77** · **06-09-07, 10:03 PM**

I looked at the website faqs and it does say the sensors are analog but the signal is converted to digital in a microprocessor. Mmm... 15K or 50k for a turntable maybe I am missing something.

I am the kind of guy with $20 albums and converted my shop vac into a vacuum record cleaner.

Bryan

**alan monro** · **06-10-07, 02:28 AM**

Yet another way to extract heaps of money from the gullible rich . sigh..............Alan .

**Chrisbee** · **06-10-07, 01:20 PM**

One must pray that it isn't also direct drive.
If it doesn't sport a rubber belt it will never catch on.

**muse77** · **06-13-07, 06:53 PM**

It would be fun to experiment on. The sensors are analog. Dismember the turntable, input the sensors into a vacuum tube pre-amp... oops... I mean a matched valve pre-amp (charge more for it then). Ahhh.. Pure analog.

**tarsier** · **07-17-07, 04:55 PM**

Along the same lines:
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/s...oryId=11851842

It takes an image of the disc and then converts it into a waveform. I haven't heard any samples tho...

**audiobomber** · **07-23-07, 03:36 PM**

I've read a few reviews of the laser turntable over the years. The caveat is that it picks up too much info. Even aggressive stylus shapes don't normally read the bottom of the groove where the gunk tends to collect. The laser TT does, and reproduces it along with the music i.e. lots of snap, crackle, pop. Maybe good for archivists, because the record never wears out. OTOH it's likely safer to play a record once and before archiving it.

**superchad** · **03-07-08, 03:51 AM**

I have heard that Laser table and it is very finicky with dirt on album..much worse then regular records, you can buy a "de-ticker" for it for an added $3000.
The best tabke I have heard is a Walker but its gonna set you back $30.000.

**yourgrandma** · **03-07-08, 09:23 AM**

Quote:

muse77 wrote:

I looked at the website faqs and it does say the sensors are analog but the signal is converted to digital in a microprocessor. Mmm... 15K or 50k for a turntable maybe I am missing something.

I am the kind of guy with $20 albums and converted my shop vac into a vacuum record cleaner.

Bryan

The analog to digital converters are on the tracking lasers. The audio side remains analog. I've never actually seen one of these, but I've alway thought it would be a good idea.

**tonyvdb** · **03-07-08, 09:33 AM**

$12k for a turntable

Thats just crazy. I have a handfull of LPs but would never spend that kind of cash.

**yourgrandma** · **03-07-08, 04:43 PM**

I love looking at the really expensive turn tables. They are often very beautiful. as with most top end equipment. Some cd transports with the disc out in the open, tube gear, ect. That $10-12K laser turntable is less than 10% of the price of a lot of high end TT's out there. Sounds like abargain if you're into getting the absolute most accurate sound out of vinyl.

**superchad** · **03-17-08, 10:18 PM**

Turntables get expensive quick! I have what I condider a budget set-up and it cost about $3500, ok maybe not budget but nothing really earth-shattering

**Zembonez** · **03-17-08, 11:18 PM**

I love my vinyl... My vintage Sony Mag-base table with an SME arm and a Grado cart probably set me back a grand in today's money but WOW what a sound that vintage clean vinyl makes...

And yes, I know a grand isn't a lot in the world of turntables. I just can't justify more at this point.

Advertisement