If anyone has had trouble getting to Esoteric Sound's web site, use this address:

https://www.esotericsound.com/index2.htm

They're currently making a Rek-O-Kut model called the Trovatore, which can be purchased with a Jelco arm made for 16-inch records:

https://www.esotericsound.com/turntableA.htm

I would recommend upgrading to the S-260-OD fluid-damped arm, which is a Jelco SA-750L. The fluid damping is a big help for vintage records, especially warped discs.

https://www.esotericsound.com/Turntable-Additional/S-260-OD%20Tonearm%20Description.htm

If you use a Feickert cartridge alignment protractor, the alignment pin drops right into the hole in the fluid damping well cover at the arm pivot on SA-750-series arms, as shown in this photo:

http://www.feickert.org/index.php?id=17

No guesswork involved. You can buy them here:

https://www.musicdirect.com/analog-accessories/feickert-next-generation-cartridge-alignment-tool

I don’t know what they'll do when their remaining stock of Jelco arms is gone. Get them now, while the getting is good.

Best,
Gary

Gary Galo
Audio Engineer Emeritus
The Crane School of Music
SUNY at Potsdam, NY 13676

"Great art presupposes the alert mind of the educated listener."
Arnold Schoenberg

"A true artist doesn't want to be admired, he wants to be believed."
Igor Markevitch


-----Original Message-----
From: Association for Recorded Sound Discussion List <[log in to unmask]> On Behalf Of Gary A. Galo
Sent: Monday, February 15, 2021 5:50 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: [ARSCLIST] [EXTERNAL] Re: [ARSCLIST] 16" Transcription Turntables

Yes, absolutely right. I was just pointing out that a once upon a time there were tables made with 16-inch platters.

Best,
Gary




-----Original Message-----
From: Association for Recorded Sound Discussion List <[log in to unmask]> On Behalf Of John Haley
Sent: Monday, February 15, 2021 3:28 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: [ARSCLIST] [EXTERNAL] Re: [ARSCLIST] 16" Transcription Turntables

And big old turntables from decades ago are likely to be offenders when it comes to wow, flutter and rumble. We don't want to go there.

Best,
John Haley

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On Mon, Feb 15, 2021 at 3:04 PM Gary A. Galo < [log in to unmask]> wrote:

> John and Corey are both correct. Any turntable platter and mat should
> support the record across its entire surface, in order to keep the
> record from vibrating during playback. Unfortunately, it's been many
> decades since turntables with 16-inch platters were made, and those
> were for professional, broadcast use.
>
> Best,
> Gary
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Association for Recorded Sound Discussion List <
> [log in to unmask]> On Behalf Of John Haley
> Sent: Monday, February 15, 2021 2:59 PM
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: [EXTERNAL] Re: [ARSCLIST] 16" Transcription Turntables
>
> This message did not originate from SUNY Potsdam or one of its trusted
> senders. Do not open attachments, click on links, or provide your
> credentials if the source is suspicious.
>
>
> I have noticed something with pressed 16" records, as were pressed on
> vinyl for radio play. They can be rather floppy (cf. Corey's
> discussion), and I think I am hearing a good difference when I put a
> heavy center weight on the 16" record. I always use that for regular
> LPs as well, as a matter of course. Why have the record itself
> experiencing any kind of vertical motion as it plays? Nothing good comes from that.
>
> Best,
> John Haley
>
>
> On Mon, Feb 15, 2021 at 2:47 PM Corey Bailey <[log in to unmask]>
> wrote:
>
> > My restoration turntable is designed for 16" discs but the platter
> > is only 14". So, I use a 1/8"thick, 16" Dia. aluminum disc that I
> > made because I don't want the outer area of a 16" disc unsupported.
> > I also made a mat for it. When you do this, the tonearm gets raised
> > by the thickness of the materials. Although my tonearm is designed for a 16"
> > disc, the extra thickness stretches it to it's limit (visually).
> > However, the cartridge sits flat & tests have shown that the tonearm
> > doesn't care about the extra thickness which, is great because the
> > next step would be to add a shim at the base of the tonearm. A real PITA.
> >
> > I made the aluminum disc because tests revealed some extra resonance
> > on the outside of a 16" disc when played on a 14" platter.
> > Fortunately, I haven't had any calls to transfer a 20" disc. ;-)
> >
> > ~CB
> >
> > Corey Bailey Audio Engineering
> > www.baileyzone.net
> >
> > On 2/15/2021 11:03 AM, Gary A. Galo wrote:
> > > Adrian is right. But, for 12-inch records it's a decent turntable
> > > at a
> > great price.
> > >
> > > Gary
> > >
> > > Gary Galo
> > > Audio Engineer Emeritus
> > > The Crane School of Music
> > > SUNY at Potsdam, NY 13676
> > >
> > > "Great art presupposes the alert mind of the educated listener."
> > > Arnold Schoenberg
> > >
> > > "A true artist doesn't want to be admired, he wants to be believed."
> > > Igor Markevitch
> > >
> > >
> > > -----Original Message-----
> > > From: Association for Recorded Sound Discussion List <
> > [log in to unmask]> On Behalf Of Adrian Cosentini
> > > Sent: Monday, February 15, 2021 1:31 PM
> > > To: [log in to unmask]
> > > Subject: [EXTERNAL] Re: [ARSCLIST] 16" Transcription Turntables
> > >
> > > This message did not originate from SUNY Potsdam or one of its
> > > trusted
> > senders. Do not open attachments, click on links, or provide your
> > credentials if the source is suspicious.
> > >
> > >
> > > No way that will handle a 16" disc. The tonearm base is way too
> > > close
> > and the tonearm isn't long enough. Plus the strobe light and the
> > controls are higher than the turntable. However, it looks like a
> > great turntable for everything else.
> > > http://audiotransformations.sawneybean.com/
> > >
> > >
> > > On Monday, February 15, 2021, 12:02:32 PM EST, Jeff Willens <
> > [log in to unmask]> wrote:
> > >
> > > Are there any off-the-shelf turntables available these days that
> > > can
> > handle 16" transcription discs AND commercial 78 RPM records? I've
> > been asked to find some possibilities, but NOT a high-end audiophile
> model.
> > >
> > > I'm wondering if the Audio-Technica AT-LP120XUSB can handle 16" discs.
> > It looks like it can, but perhaps someone here has some experience
> > with
> it.
> > This would be ideal if it checks out.
> > >
> > >
> > https://www.audio-technica.com/en-us/turntables/best-for/step-up-mod
> > el
> > s/at-lp120xusb
> > >
> > > Thanks,
> > >
> > > Jeff Willens
> > >
> >
>