Audio Technica AT-LP60 Turntable HELP!!!

Forums › Home Theatre (including HTPC and EPG Collector) › Audio Technica AT-LP60 Turntable HELP!!!

MJC87

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#91705 19-Oct-2011 16:15

Hi,

Recently I bought a AT-LP60 turntable online from the USA, it has arrived here safely but I am at odds with trying
to figure out what sort of adaptor/converter/transformer I need to make it work here in NZ.

I understand there are some differences compared to here and the USA regarding Voltage etc

My turntable specifications state

120V, 60Hz, 3W are the power requirements for the turntable. Do I need a step down transformer? they are quite pricey.

If anyone can help me it would be greatly appreciated as it is for my Grandma to listen to her Old Vinyl.

Thanks
Michael

bazzer

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#535212 19-Oct-2011 16:23

Depending how old your Grandma is, she may have 78rpm records which will not be playable on this TT. Just something to be aware of.

Even so, you may find you have problems with the 60Hz/50Hz affecting the speed of your TT. Might've been easier to just buy one here...

MJC87

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Wannabe Geek

#535215 19-Oct-2011 16:29

Thanks for the quick reply, She has heaps of Vinyl she bought in the 70s that she wants to listen to, she was quite an old hippy

Either way I would like to see if I can get it working before I decide whether or not to return it or not.

from what I have read online I think that I may need a step down transformer???
as my TT is 120V where the New Zealand voltage is 220-240V if I have understood this correctly.

cyril7

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#535221 19-Oct-2011 16:39

Hi, that is correct and you can get suitable transformers from the likes of jaycar as linked below, but the issue you will have assuming its a simple induction motoris the gearing is most likely setup for 60Hz, so unless you get a replacement motor gear it will run slow. I too think you would have been better finding something here.

http://www.jaycar.co.nz/productView.asp?ID=MF1091&keywords=step+down&form=KEYWORD

Cyril

richms

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#535228 19-Oct-2011 16:43

I would hope that something made this side of the 70's is not using the AC freq as its timebase.

May find that there are no dots printed on the side of the turntable for 50Hz if it has a strobe, but the timing normally comes from the speed control circuit, even on ones without a variable pitch control.

Richard rich.ms

MJC87

5 posts

Wannabe Geek

#535237 19-Oct-2011 16:55

So Rich your saying the timing may be okay if I manage to get a transformer that gets it going?

Don't want to spend the money on getting a transformer and then the timing be off.

Is there anyway to know for sure that it will run slow?

richms

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#535308 19-Oct-2011 19:11

Ive just googled it and its a belt drive, so IMO your chances are not good, as they tend to make them just move the belt to another step on a pully to change RPM.

If you are just ripping it then you could change the pitch of the wave file before you encode it to whatever format you choose without too much drama, the change in speed will affect the RIAA equalization but not by a huge amount.

If you are in auckland you can borrow one of my transformers to see if it works ok or not. They are heavy bastards so courier isnt an option on them.

Richard rich.ms

lchiu7

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#535496 20-Oct-2011 10:43

I have a turntable that was bought in the US in 1982. It's a Sony and says direct drive electronic speed control. It's clearly does not rely on mains frequency since it works just fine here on a stepdown transformer.

Staying in Wellington. Check out my AirBnB in the Wellington CBD. https://www.airbnb.co.nz/h/wellycbd PM me and mention GZ to get a 15% discount and no AirBnB charges.

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bazzer

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#535506 20-Oct-2011 10:57

lchiu7: I have a turntable that was bought in the US in 1982. It's a Sony and says direct drive electronic speed control. It's clearly does not rely on mains frequency since it works just fine here on a stepdown transformer.

And your point? I guess it's a shame the OP didn't buy a TT with electronic speed control.

lchiu7

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#535514 20-Oct-2011 11:11

That it's very unlikely his recent TT purchase uses main frequency to set the speed. He should just go to DSE, get a transformer and try it out. It it runs slow then he is SOL but can return the transformer.

I also have a TT that has white marks on the side of the platter. It's clearly run off mains frequency since you set the speed so the white marks are stationary under a regular light. But that was made in the 60's.

Staying in Wellington. Check out my AirBnB in the Wellington CBD. https://www.airbnb.co.nz/h/wellycbd PM me and mention GZ to get a 15% discount and no AirBnB charges.

bazzer

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#535949 21-Oct-2011 07:55

"Very unlikely"? You realise there's a difference between belt driven TTs and direct drive with electronic speed control, right? Most cheaper belt drive are usually synchronous AC motors whose speed is determined by the frequency of the mains supply.

Still you have a point, he can just try it out and see. I would be surprised if it worked OK though.