View Single Post
Old 9th Jul 2011, 8:19 pm   #5
Darren-UK
Retired Dormant Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Blackpool, Lancashire, UK.
Posts: 4,061
Default Stacking and repeat play.

This guide has used in its illustrations a single record but, obviously, the point of an autochanger is to be able to play a stack of records and doing so involves a number of factors.

1) All records to be stacked must be of the same speed. Of course, it is possible to change speed whilst the record is changing but it's a bit of an absurd course of action which isn't advisable.

2) The number of records which can be stacked varies from one make of deck to another, as well as on the thickness of the records. However, generally it is six to eight 7" 45RPM records, four or maybe five 12" 33 or 45RPM records and three or four 78RPM records. Total of stacked records depends not only upon what the stacker can hold, but also - and crucially - on the lift of the tonearm during the auto cycle.

3) It is possible, if not a little unconventional, to mix record sizes (diameter wise) in the same stack providing they're of the same speed. A possible exception is the mixing of shellac and vinyl 78RPM's.

4) At one time most, if not all, 7" 45RPM records and some others had a raised ring with a bevel around the label. See the second image below which illustrates this feature. This was to prevent 'skidding' when played in an autochanger stack. Many later records didn't have this ring, consequently skidding when played in a stack is likely, if not certain.

5) Avoid placing warped records in a stack. The warped record itself may well play alright, but the next one which lands on top of it probably won't.

Repeat play. With reference to the image attached below, the deck is shown in Repeat mode. Note the position of the overarm, swung to the right. In this mode the deck becomes essentially a manual deck, but with the difference that the record will be automatically repeat-played until human intervention dictates otherwise. It is, with most decks, only feasible to do this with 7" records. Why anyone would want to do this is a mystery but there we are.

Incidentally, the sharper-eyed people among you will notice the deck in the image is actually Off. This is purely because the picture was a static pose; if the deck were running the control would be in the 'MAN' position.
Attached Thumbnails
Click image for larger version

Name:	UA15 repeat.JPG
Views:	1007
Size:	38.8 KB
ID:	53675   Click image for larger version

Name:	DSC00850.JPG
Views:	854
Size:	52.0 KB
ID:	53720  
Darren-UK is offline