EMT 927A st # 6186 from 1961

state-of-the-art turntable 

Most favorite highlight in my collection is the EMT 927A st professional stereo studio turntable, serial no. 6186 from 1961, complete with working optical groove indicator, Ortofon RMA 297 stereo tonearm and an original EMT 139st stereo phono tube equalizer amplifier, serial no. 4566 from 1959.

The 16 inch turntable was a requirement for the broadcasting stations of the 1930s through to the 1950s for playing 16 inch transcription discs, mainly of "soap operas" that were the mainstay of the world-leading American and Australian commercial services. American transcription music companies also made 16 inch discs available both in lateral and vertical formats. American stations used Gates, Grey, Presto, Rek-o-Kut and RCA 16 inch turntables and a number of models were also developed and manufactured by Australian companies. 16 inch turntables were never developed for domestic use and aside from meeting technical playback characteristics suitable for broadcast quality transmissions, the other of their main features was ruggedness, strong enough to meet day-to-day heavy handling of those radio staff using them.

EMT saw gaps in the European broadcasting markets to develop a range of turntables that were sold mostly in Europe and a very small amount overseas. The EMT R 35, EMT R 80 S and EMT 927 were developed to meet the requirements of broadcasting services needing to play 16 inch records and at the same time, a high standard was specified in their construction.

Introduced in 1952, the EMT 927 was the first professional studio turntable manufactured by EMT in large numbers after the EMT R 35 and EMT R 80 S. The EMT 927 is a massive turntable with an aluminium chassis, measuring 67,5 x 52 x 21,5 cm with a weight of more then 40 kilograms. The platter, which itself is extremely heavy,  has a diameter of 44 cm and turns in an amazing precision ball bearing, the bearing shaft is 16,6 cm long and has a diameter of 2 cm. The three fase motor is also very massive, it looks like an industrial motor, 13,5 cm in diameter and 20 cm long. A precision manufactured three step pulley (78, 45 & 331/3 rpm) is mounted on the motor axis and a precision idler transfers the power from the motor to the inside rim of the platter.The EMT 927 in all its versions is one of the most sought-after turntables in the world, it’s often called the “Rolls Royce” of all turntables.

Note: items in the Hall of Fame are from my private collection, used as reference for my contemporary activities and not for sale.