REWIRE YOURSELF

REWIRE YOURSELF

BIC Turntables: A Smooth Machine

Lorry Jaffe

by

We've noticed an interesting phenomenon in stereo stores — a trend, a fashion fad that seems to be catching on with those who shop for stereo equipment. No longer is the David Bowie or Glitter look in. The pendulum has turned, and people are dressing up as the Carpenters. That's right, boys and girls are dressing up as that dynamic brother-sister team. Roving couples are now dressing as brother and sister. It looks as if the trend may spread to record stores as well. Look for it.

On a recent such visit to one of America's finest stereo shops we picked up on a really new and exciting item. A revolutionary idea in the Hi-Fi business. It's produced by BIC and is an automatic turntable appropriately labeled the 980 and the 960. They are decently priced as turntables go — the 980 running around $200 and the 960 about $50 less. Yes, they compete very favorably with Duals of comparable value and even the more expensive model. In our book the new BIC is better than the Garrard of equal value. The 980 catches the higher price tag because of some added gadgetry: an electronic speed and pitch control and lighted strobe. For normal use these additions are not necessary and the 960 comes up the better buy. Plus, remember BIC (despite its name of British Industries) is American made. A good idea with today's economy.

According to our test consultant, Tom Spalding at Warehouse Sound, the 980 and 960 have proven very reliable despite the fact that they are brand new both in design and model. This is unusual, as new models often have flaws

that need straightening out, or at least some service problems.

This new style turntable combines the advantages of a manual turntable with those of an automatic record changer. It's like getting a good turntable by itself, and as an added bonus it also stacks records. The turntable is low profile and well designed, very slim and trim. The control panel is easy to read and even easier to use. The push button start button has a feather touch to it which is great because of the extensive use it receives. There is a slide switch for determining number of selections (You can stack up to six records) The selector switch allows you to automatically repeat play of your last record up to six times (this depends on the number of records being played). The cuing switch is neat and simple to use. It replaces the needle exactly, plus you can adjust its speed of climb and descent. The tone arm is professional* easy to handle and adjust. The simple design extends to the engineering side as well. There are fewer moving parts, thus less chance for breakdown and repair. The turntable is belt-driven, which makes for quiet and easy operation.

When it comes to quiet, the 980 and 960 do great. There is no hum pick-up, nor any audible rumble or wow and flutter. We were listening to the new Joni Mitchell album on the 960 and it sounded fantastic. Piano, which is a good thing to listen to in judging wow and flutter, sounded great. All this is credit to that new belt-driven turntable.

The 980 and 960 models by BIC are really the first modern turntables, both in design and function. Most turntables have been expansions of the original idea. BIC has pioneered a new idea in motion, and it is holding up. Summing up in one word, it is smooth.

Buying Tip: When going into a stereo store, demand the attention of one qualified salesman. Make him or her put the equipment through its paces, so you can see it work under real conditions. Make sure the demo models are standard models as well. Know what you are buying, check for warranty and service. Go to a reputable dealer and you'll end up with what you want and it will work.