WHICH RECORD CHANGERS ARE SAFE

Choosing the best record changer to play old records on.

D
A
N
G
E
R
Avoid these
record changers
or use them with
expendable
demo records.
Record changers that throw or tip already-played records off the turntable
Record changers that force knife blades between the record rims
Record changers with tracking forces over 300 grams-equivalent-force
Record changers and players with acoustic arms
Steel and chromium needles
H
A
Z
A
R
D
Use these
record changers
with only those
records made
before 1933.
Assembly-line record changers, other than the Thorens and Lincoln changers
Record changers made before 1934
Record changers with tracking forces over 100 grams-equivalent-force
Record changers with light friction acoustic arms
Osmium needles
W
A
R
N
I
N
G
Use these
record changers
with only those
records made
before 1939.
Drop changers that let one edge of the record hit the turntable first
    (Do not confuse this with push-type changers that hold the stack off-level)
Record changers made before 1941
Record changers with tracking forces over 30 grams-equivalent-force
C
A
U
T
I
O
N
Use these
record changers
with only those
records made
before 1948.
Record changers with position or eccentric trip
Record changers made before 1950
Record changers with tracking forces over 20 grams-equivalent-force
B
E
W
A
R
E
Use these
record changers
with only
mono records.
Record changers with mono cartridges
Record changers made before 1959
The small 45 rpm changers
Record changers with tracking forces over 8 grams-equivalent-force
A
P
P
R
O
V
E
Use these
record changers
with any
records.
Record changers with stereo cartridges
Record changers made after 1958
Record changers fitted with cartridges with interchangeable needles for both microgroove and 78 use.
Record changers with tracking forces under 4 grams-equivalent-force
C
H
O
I
C
E
Use these
record changers
for your best
records for
longest life.
Collaro TSC-640 Conquest, TSC-740 Coronation, Studio 60, PH-1252, PH-1253
Dual 1009, 1010, 1011, 1013, 1015, 1019. 1212, 1218, 1219, 1229, 1229Q
Garrard AT-6, Model 40, AT-50, AT-60, SL-55, SL-65 (Not B series)
Glaser-Steers: GS-77
Lenco: B-55 (Manual player, but is best for early records with odd speeds)
Perpetuum Ebner: 66, 2015, 2018, 2020, 2035, 2038, 2040, 3060
V-M 1555, 1585, 1701, 1702 (these work at only the 33 and 45 speeds)
A
V
O
I
D
For best results,
avoid these
popular record
changers, for
these reasons.
BSR (all): Trip friction too high.
B.I.C. (all): Can't handle all records.
Dual 1225, 1226, 1228, and all made after 1974: Can't handle all records.
Garrard RC series, A, A-II, A-70, Lab 80: Trip friction too high.
Garrard SL-72, SL-75, SL-95, B series, and all made after 1973: Can't handle all records.
Miracord (all models): Can damage records by yanking the arm unexpectedly.
Perpetuum Ebner 3000 series (except 3060): Can't handle all records.
V-M (other than 1555, 1585, 1701, 1702): Trip friction too high, 2-pole motor.


Other tips:


DISPELLING THE MYTHS THAT CHANGERS ARE BAD FOR RECORDS

Myths saying that record changers are bad for records have persisted since the 1940s. In the 1930s, most of these objections to record changers were true. But, as we shall see, most of these troubles have been engineered out of record changers:

  1. Abrasion between grooved surfaces when records are stacked:

    This was true with 78 rpm records, but not with other speeds. Microgroove records are designed to be thicker at the labels and rims than they are in the playing surfaces. So only warped records have this trouble.

  2. Damage to the rims of records from the changing action:

    This is true of only the assembly-line changers made in the 1920s, and the throwoff and knife-type changers of the 1930s. Push type changers and most umbrella changers don't damage record rims.

  3. Damage to the center holes of records from the changing action:

    This is true of only the cam-type center-push changers, and then only if they are used wrong. People didn't understand that the spindle cap had to be turned, and instead turned the spindle cam and set the records on it. On the first change cycle, all of the records fell at once. Because the records were still on the shelf, they tilted, and the falling force chipped the center holes.

    I suggest that shellac records not be used with umbrella spindles.

  4. Wear on the spindle hole, because the spindle remains stationary during play:

    This is hogwash. There is not enough friction between the record and the spindle to cause any wear. Most of the "wear" blamed on this was probably caused by the cam-type changers being used wrong, as mentioned above.

  5. Change of pickup angle with respect to the records as the height of the stack increases:

    This is a minor problem, because the angle error is usually less than 5 degrees. And several designs totally remove the error.

  6. Sacrifice of motor smoothness in favor of more power to operate the changer mechanism and move the heavy stack:

    This was true in the early days, but most changer motors made since 1959 have more than enough power and smoothness. Of course, the cheap changers with 2-pole motors are never smooth.

  7. Slippage of the disc as it is played on the stack:

    This is a problem with high tracking forces or dish-warped records. It is easily remedied by putting small pieces of electrical tape on the labels of the offending discs.

  8. Slowing down of the turntable as the weight of the stack increases.

    This was a combination of weak motors and stiff turntable bearings. With advances in the designs of both, these troubles disappeared.

  9. Uneven record wear as the pickup arm extension bears on the pawl and ratchet trip mechanism:

    The eccentric trip hasn't been used since 1951. Most modern designs do not produce a continuous force against the arm (the early designs did put forces on the arm). The best designs use gravity to achieve the coupling between the arm and the velocity trip.

  10. Exceedingly difficult maintenance and adjustment:

    This was true in the 1930s, 1940s, and early 1950s. But with improved design and the velocity trip, the only adjustments are easily performed user adjustments: Arm raising height, arm setdown location, tracking force, and antiskating.

So the dangers to records are largely in the record changers made before 1959. Newer record changers do not have these problems.

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