BELT DRIVE ISN'T NEW. MULTIPLE PLAY ISN'T NEW. A TURNTABLE THAT COMBINES BOTH IS NEW. READ ALL ABOUT IT.
Back in monophonic times, turntable motors drove platters through a series of wheels called "idlers". Many automatics and changers still use this system.
In those days, records and playback systems were still relatively unsophisticated, so the distortions an idler drive system created didn't matter much.
Today, however, distortion is a critical problem. With recordings of increased dynamic range, wow, flutter and rumble must be reduced to inconsequential levels.
A belt-drive system is light years ahead of idler drive in that department.
And here the belt is driven by a unique motor found only in BIC turntables. It is a 300 RPM, 24-pole motor and it is inherently freer from noise and vibration than the 1800 RPM units with from 2 to 16 poles, which are standard in even the best of the conventional automatics.
The advantage of Programmed Multiple Play.
The 980 and 960 are not record changers.
They are belt-drive Programmed Turntables which are engineered to play as many as 6 records at a time.
They have a 2-point record support system which is far less complicated and far more reliable than any umbrella spindle we've ever seen.
But an even more important advantage is this.
An automatic record handling system like the one on a BIC turntable can handle a single record, or 6 at a time, perfectly. No false drops. No bouncing and skating a diamond stylus across the grooves. It eliminates human error, and human error is what damages the sidewalls of your record grooves forever.
The simplicity factor
The 980 and 960 have the visibly lower profile of single-play manual instruments. They've been engineered to be simple machines, so they have fewer parts and fewer potential problems.
They abound in innovations. In the tone arm, the cartridge shell, the program panel, the entire system.
We can send you more detailed information if you write to Dept. 5A, British Industries Co., Westbury, L.I. 11590; or better yet, see them at your local audio specialist.
Copyright 1974. BIC is a trademark of British Industries Co. Westbury, New York 11590, USA.
A division of Avnet Inc.
---This is the 980 with solid state speed control and strobe. About $200*. The
960 is identical except for these two features. About $150*.
*Less base and cartridge.
(Audio magazine, May 1975)
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