J.A Mitchell Transcriptor Golden Shadow Vintage Turntable - with Orfoton 2M Red Cartridge

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General:
The J.A. Mitchell Transcriptor Golden Shadow is a very unique turntable in both looks and functionality. It has a huge cult following and was made famous from its brief but memorable appearance in the movie The Clockwork Orange.  

The mat/platter situation is quite interesting. This turntable does not use a traditional mat, instead the platter has very small damping feet that make contact with the record surface. This is designed so the record has very little contact area with the rest of the platter, minimizing unwanted variations. 

Another cool feature are the dust brushes - it has one soft bristle brush that makes contact with the record while in use, plus it has an additional smaller brush that is made to brush off debris from the stylus.

The tonearm mounted is its original SME model 3009. One of our favorite vintage tonearms known for its bulletproof reliability, access to replacement parts, and ease of calibration and overall use. We've Installed and calibrated a new Ortofon 2M Red phono cartridge, but many other models are available from us if you choose to upgrade. Simply contact us to review options. 

To finish this table off nicely we had our local craftsman build a new solid walnut plinth sparing no expense. It was definitely worth the investment as it now presents beautifully. 

This is a rather delicate turntable, so we're offering it for sale with local pickup only.

SkyFi Cosmetic Notes:
Some signs of wear on the plinth and glossy black finishes. Overall very good.

SkyFi Technical Notes:
Installed and performed basic calibration with Ortofon 2M Red MM (Moving-Magnet) cartridge. Installed new grounding wire. Adjusted motor height. Speed is a bit slow but within 5% of tolerance which is acceptable.

Ownership:
Second Owner

Connections:
RCA + Ground

General Sound:
Smooth, uncolored, undistorted natural and clean

Cosmetic Condition:
8/10 = Very Good. Excellent front faceplate, one minor flaw on chassis side or top. See our detailed rating description here.

Working Condition:
Working perfectly and calibrated on our custom turntable calibration stand.

Included:
Just the unit and cable

Packing:
Will be packed using our highly developed in-house process and custom packing materials.

Testing Process:
First we try to identify any mechanical issues, particularly in the tonearm bearings. We check for freedom of movement or any resistance on both the horizontal and vertical range. There is a quick test for this which involves placing the table on its front edge and allowing the arm to swing freely like a pendulum. We then make any adjustments necessary to achieve minimal resistance and sometimes adjust the bearing pressure. On gimbal tonearms we inspect the cone tip with a magnifier.

We then assess the platter speed using one of several methods, the most accurate being playing a test tone on a test record and measuring the frequency output with a frequency counter or oscilloscope. We also utilize test equipment to measure the wow and flutter to ensure it is within spec. We do this for all speeds available for that particular model (33 RPM, 45 RPM, 78 RPM).

Adjustments are then made to achieve proper speed which will vary depending on the turntable's drive design. Some require an adjustment of an internal or external potentiometer, some will require a pulley or motor adjustment. We also inspect the platter bearing to ensure it is properly lubricated, keeping in mind that some bearings don't require lubrication at all

We then inspect the power supply and address any issues with overworked capacitors, particularly on Linn and later Thorens machines which tend to need attention.

On fully mechanical vintage tables like the Thorens TD-124 and Garrard 301/401 we will go thought the entire mechanism. Then replace any worn parts and lubricate all components necessary to ensure smooth operation, speed change, and low mechanical noise. 

When fitting a new phono cartridge we will go through our detailed calibration process which can involve as many as 12 steps depending on the tonearm design. We perform this work on our custom turntable calibration rig which was developed in-house.

Some of these steps include:
• Pivot to Spindle Adjustment
• Tracking Force
• Anti-Skate
• Tonearm Height
• Lifter Height
• VTA (Vertical Tracking Angle)
• Azimuth
• Stylus Distance and Overhang

We then do a critical listening test using our test records and our test system to ensure proper sonics.