stereoman said:
So after using for some time TT with automatic 33 / 45 switch I can say that it is extremely useful feature. I use it non stop to be honest and really would not like to take off the platter to change the belt on the pulleys every time again. Still many renown manufacturers produce TTs without the automatic speed adjustment (Rega etc.) (?). Those who are planning on buying a new TT and are newbies look out for this feature. Those without the switch - how do you cope with it and does it really not bother you ?
Heh, I have the 2-Xperience SB at home, which features the built in SpeedBox.
TBH I've never used it.
I've got a handful of singles, none of which are of note or that are worth re-visiting. I have no 78s at all.
If I did have it wouldn't bother me at all, if you have the knack you can change the speed on a Pro-Ject tt without even stopping the motor, and if you did stop the motor it takes around 2 seconds at most to move the belt from the 33 to the 45 groove (models with sub platters excluded). YMMV with other brands.
IMHO It's always been one less thing that can go wrong if it's not there.
As we all know switches have finite lives, they wear, and the physical operation of a switch also creates bounce / spikes / rf noise.
But that's all personal preference. It's a nice thing to have, and that's why it's offered by most manufacturers.