MANUFACTURER'S SPECIFICATIONS:
Speeds: 33 1/3, 45, and 78 rpm.
Turntable: Cast metal (non-magnetic); 10 2/3" diameter; weight, 4.4 lbs.
Flutter and Wow: 0.15%.
Rumble: -47 dB (converted from DIN 45 507, which is -56 dB re: 10 cm/sec).
Dimensions: 13 1/8" W x 10 7/8" D x 4 7/8" over and 3 9/16" under motor board.
Weight: 12.2 lbs.
Price: $99.95.
(Optional base, $7.00; dust cover, $7.00; 45-rpm spindle, $4.95).
Studying the PE-2018 was almost like studying the earlier (and more expensive) PE-2020, which it resembles in most of its features. (The 2020 was profiled in May, 1968.) The differences can be summed up quite simply: the 2020 has four speeds (including the 16 2/3 which has not gained much popularity), is slightly larger (about an inch in each dimension) , has a heavier and larger platter (7.1 lbs. and 11 1/2" in diameter), has a 2-dB better (specified) rumble figure, and has slightly less flutter and wow.
But most of the other features remain the same in both models, and these include single-lever control, adjustable vertical tracking angle, automatic set-down position determination. This is effected by a movable pin in the center of a depressed portion of the turntable so that a 7-in, record depresses the pin completely and adjusts the set-down position to the correct diameter for the singles; a 10- or 12-in. record depresses the pin slightly--just enough to disable the automatic shut-off so that the machine will play at all. With no record on the platter, you can operate the start lever and the unit will go through its cycle and return the arm to the rest, thus inhibiting the machine from playing the rubber platter mat, with probable damage to the stylus. The 10-12 selection is done by a plastic laver which rises from a hole in the motor board near the arm pivot assembly--if it rises to its limit, the arm sets down on the 10-in. diameter; if it is stopped by the larger diameter of the 12-in. record, the pickup sets down at the proper position for the large record. This latter feature, along with the 78 speed, is practically academic unless you have a collection of records made over ten years ago--both 10-in. records and 78s are nearly obsolete.
Fig. 2--Views of PE-2018 automatic turntable: Top, with platter removed,
and exposed mechanism on the underside of the changer.
The arm is "dynamically" balanced--that is, you first adjust the counterweight to obtain a static balance, and then you turn the stylus-force knob to the desired value anywhere between 1 and 6 grams. Both the stylus-force and anti-skating knobs are mounted on the base of the arm-mounting assembly.
The stylus-force knob has black gradations, while the anti-skating adjustment is graduated with red figures. Both knobs are set at the same number for the usual conical stylus with a radius from 0.5 to 0.7 mils. Thus if you want a stylus force of 1.5 grams, you simply set both knobs at the line between 1 and 2 grams. If your stylus is elliptical, however, you consult a chart in the instruction book and determine the anti-skating knob setting for a desired stylus force. This chart also applies to styli of different diameters than the usual 0.5 to 0.7, since some users still have 1.0-mil "rollers" in their pickups.
Operation of the unit is fairly simple, since it is done by a single control lever. The START position feeds power to the motor and puts the mechanism into its cycle. The arm is lifted, moved over to the correct radius, and lowered gently. If there is no record on the platter, the arm lifts, then returns to the rest. When the cycle is completed, the lever returns to the neutral position. To stop the action, the lever is shifted to the STOP position, which starts a cycle that ends with the arm on the rest and the motor shut off.
To the left of the neutral position are two more positions which are marked the word LIFT with the usual pictorial symbols to indicate lifted and lowered stylus positions. The lever starts either of these functions, both of which are actuated by the cycling mechanism, rather than by a direct lift or lower action.
The 2018 uses the same cartridge holder as the 2020, which means that it is adjustable for vertical tracking angle. The knob on the front actuates a cam which raises or lowers the front edge of the cartridge mounting plate.
If you are playing single records, you set the knob at 1; if you put a stack of 8 records on the platter, you set the knob at 4-half the number of records (approximately). This gives a 15-deg. tracking angle for the record in the center of the stack, and compromises the others.
Pitch control is also provided as a levered disc which is concentric with the speed control lever, and provides a ±3-percent variation in speed. We found that a 1000-Hz cut on a test record could be reproduced at where from 965 to 1030 Hz, depending on the setting of the pitch control.
One of the refinements of the PE-2018 is the provision of a pair of hold-down brackets which may be slipped in place under the motor board after the turntable is mounted on its base. The screws which hold these brackets are accessible through holes in the platter, and may be reached by lifting the edges of the fixed rubber mat.
In addition to the usual automatic, manual-automatic, or manual operation of the turntable, it can be made to repeat a single record continuously by inserting the single-play spindle and not turning it to the right as you would normally do to secure it in position.
The same operation can be done with the multiple-play spindle (after a record is dropped) by turning the spindle to the left, thus unlocking it from its normal position. The spindle must not be turned or removed during a change cycle, however.
Performance
Like the PE-2020, the 2018 is a pleasure to use. The "command" lever operates very easily, and while it takes an appreciable time for the unit to go through a cycle, this delay only occurs at the start of the first record, or when you lift or lower the pickup. Flutter and wow measured .08 per cent in the range from 0.5 to 6.0 Hz, and 0.12 percent in the range from 6 to 250, as well as from 0.5 to 250 Hz. Rumble measured 39 dB below a stylus velocity of 3.54 cm/sec at 1000 Hz; weighted, this turns out to be-48 dB, which is good for an automatic turntable. All of the rumble appeared to be below 6 Hz, which makes it essentially inaudible. Presented with a variable frequency source, the speed varied just as one would expect from a synchronous motor, although the motor in the PE-2018 is a 4-pole induction type. With variable voltages, however, the speed was only 5 percent slow at 75 volts, but it wouldn't go through its change 'cycle at less than 85 volts.
Although it is theoretically correct to adjust the vertical tracking angle for an exact 15 deg. (and the differences are readily measurable using the CBS Labs STR-160 record and a harmonic distortion meter), we must admit that aurally we could not detect any difference between various settings of the vertical-tracking-angle control. But then we feel the same way about anti-skating--the difference is not greatly noticeable to the ear. But tests prove that anti-skating compensation does reduce record wear.
In any case, the PE-2018, with its handsome grained aluminum dress panel over its solid steel "motor board," is a nice-performing automatic turntable with extra features to improve performance and operating ease.
It should be considered for use with any moderately priced stereo setup where playing a stack of LPs is desirable.
(Audio magazine, Jan. 1970)
Also see:
PE Automatic Turntable, Model 2040 (Dec. 1970)
PE automatic turntables (ad, Mar. 1970)
ELAC/Miracord 760 Automatic Turntable (Equip. Profile, Aug. 1975)
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