Anyone familiar with turntables here?

[Alonzo]

I picked up an automatic turntable about 6 or 7 years ago. It's from the 80's I think and it's by teknika. I only paid about $20 or $30 for it. It's worked great but about 2 days ago the stylus stopped returning to the beginning when the records is done. It just keeps going until it hits the piece sticking out of the middle of the record and the player keeps going until I manually return it to the original position.

I tried doing google searches online to figure out what is wrong but my lack of knowledge regarding turntable terminology is limiting what info I can find. Is this something I can fix cheaply or should a buy a new turntable? There's a nice pioneer one for $100 on amazon that got good reviews, I was thinking of buying it but I'm not really sure if I should.

[BoogyMan]

Hi Zo,

You might find the service manuals for your turntable at the site below:

http://www.michelletroutman.com/a-l.htm

I didn't get the chance to look it up but it is worth a shot. I think the manuals are 10.00 each in printed form.

If you decide to replace it, there are some great deals in Marantz turntables on eBay. They may be higher than you are wishing to pay though. The best pricing I have found on one is around $280.00. The Marantz turntables are pretty awesome.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Custom-Marantz-6200-Fully-Auto-Belt-Drive-Turntable_W0QQitemZ330106657070QQihZ014QQcategoryZ 3283QQcmdZViewItem#ebayphotohosting

[Alonzo]

Thanks for responding.

I really wouldn't want to spend much more than 100 on a turntable. For that price range, the pioneer one on amazon seemed the best bet. The only downside to it is the preamp can't be turned off, which means I can't use the phono input on my reciever.

A turntable is something I definately need (as much as someone can "need" audio equipment anyway), but not something that I need to be great quality.

But I don't think I really need a manual. The problem I'm having I would think is relatively generic. I'm trying to figure out if it's something relatively easy to fix. If it would cost me more than $30 to fix then I'll probably just buy a new one.

I keep hearing about broken or worn out belts, but I have no idea what their job is and if that could be causing the problem.

[BoogyMan]

On my Rega turntable the only belts are used in spinning up the platter. I am wondering if there may be an adjustment on your needle arm to facilitate the return process.

Does your turntable have an automatic/manual tone arm return switch?

[lily]

Zo, my husband is a vinyl "purest". When we bought our Benjamin he bought 2 in case something happened to one of them he could fix it with the parts from the other. I've copied this page and I'll have him look at it when he wakes up, he's still on midnight hours, thank God and if there's any thing he can figure out to help you, I'll have him write it down for me and post it tomorrow.

[Alonzo]

Thanks boogy and lily.

The turntable has buttons to change between a 33 and a 45, to return, and has the "anti skate" adjustment.

Though, oddly enough, when you asked me about the return button (which on mine is labelled "reject") I decided to see if it was still working. I pressed it once and nothing. Second time, nothing. Then I held it down for about 2 seconds and suddenly the needle stopped, lifted off the record, and returned to the beginning spot where it rests in a holder (or whatever it's called). Since then, the arm seems to be returning on its own when the record finishes.

I'm not sure if it has just gotten off track, like a dislocated bone, or if this is a problem that will return soon. Maybe your husband knows if this is common lily?

Thanks again.

[lily]

Zo, I'll ask him if there is some type of lubricant that can be used without damaging anything. I think that may be your problem, either that or a short. I'm not the expert, but I do use ours a lot. Too many albums to replace with CDs and honestly I do like the sound much better, there's just something about it.