
( Brand: Rca ), ( Model: MI 12800-B ), ( Part Type: Turntable Case ), ( Country/region Of Manufacture: United States )
Step back in time with the Mi-12800 RCA Transcription Turntable, a stunning revival of classic 1940s design, expertly crafted for the modern audiophile. This turntable combines the rich, authentic sound of the golden age of vinyl with contemporary aesthetics, making it a standout addition to any music enthusiast's collection.
The Mi-12800 is a testament to the timeless beauty of the past, fashioned from solid wood with intricate detailing that exudes an air of elegance and sophistication. The artisanship involved in crafting each piece ensures that no two turntables are exactly alike, adding a unique charm to your listening experience.
Underneath its vintage exterior lies a state-of-the-art audio system. Equipped with a high-torque DC motor, the Mi-12800 offers smooth, steady playback with precise speed control, ensuring your vinyl records are treated with the utmost care. The direct drive system ensures minimal wear and tear on your records, allowing you to enjoy your favorite music for years to come.
The turntable is outfitted with RCA outputs, enabling you to connect it easily to your home stereo system, speakers, or recording equipment. Whether you're a vinyl purist or a budding record collector, the Mi-12800 provides a seamless connection to the world of analog sound.
Including a built-in pre-amplifier, the Mi-12800 is ready to play right out of the box. Simply place your vinyl on the heavy-duty aluminum platter, adjust the pitch control for that perfect beat, and immerse yourself in the warm, rich sound that only a classic turntable can offer.
The Mi-12800 RCA Transcription Turntable is more than just a piece of equipment; it's a bridge to the past, connecting you with the music and history of yesteryears. With its stunning design, exceptional sound quality, and easy-to-use features, this turntable is an investment in the classic vinyl experience that will last a lifetime.
1. Vintage Appeal: The MI-12800 turntable embodies the classic, timeless look of 1940s design, adding a unique aesthetic to any music setup.
2. High-Fidelity Sound: Designed for transcription purposes, this turntable is engineered to deliver high-quality, accurate sound reproduction.
3. Balanced S-Shape Tonearm: This design ensures proper cartridge alignment, reducing distortion and improving sound quality.
4. Adjustable Speed: With three speeds (33 1/3, 45, and 78 RPM), you can play a wide range of vinyl records.
5. RCA Outputs: Allows for easy connection to external audio systems for enhanced listening.
Cons:1. Limited Modern Features: Compared to modern turntables, the MI-12800 lacks features such as automatic start/stop, built-in preamps, and USB connectivity.
2. Potential Requirement for Special Cartridges: As this turntable is designed for transcription, it may require a specific cartridge to achieve optimal performance.
3. Potential Shipping and Handling Issues: Since it's a vintage item, there could be issues with the condition upon arrival or the packaging used during shipping.
4. Potential Requirement for External Power Source: Depending on the condition of the turntable, it may need an external power source, which is not included with the turntable.
Conclusion:The MI-12800 RCA Transcription Turntable offers a unique vintage aesthetic and high-fidelity sound quality. However, it lacks modern features and may require additional components to function optimally. If you appreciate vintage style and are willing to invest in a specialized setup, this turntable could be a great addition to your music collection. If you prefer modern convenience and ease of use, you may want to consider a more contemporary turntable.
Recommendation:For those who value vintage aesthetics and high-quality sound, the MI-12800 RCA Transcription Turntable (Wood 1940s, Model 12800-B) could be an excellent choice. However, it's recommended to research the specific model and its requirements before making a purchase to ensure a smooth setup and optimal performance.
For a brief test, temporary line cord was attached, though safety it should be inspected, and rewired when you finish restoration. As the broadcast markets boomed in postwar America, these large tables, thanks to their superior durability and quality, became reproduction standard station studios all over world. The motor is strong, and turns both idlers OK. Once you see and hear one of these in action, too will lust after the silky smooth, sprawling 16 platter spinning with authority.
Rca was the market leader of broadcast at this time selling most well known and famous designs for recording playback commercial audio. Rca built these in house other mfrs, like GE, rayon, Collins, etc, did not make tables themselves, selling others, made by companies fair child, presto and reek-o-cut, later gates qr.
That's why they are so sought after. They were expensive gates built to a very high standard, solid as can be, using the best machining and bearings that 1950s USA could produce. But your turntable.
Clean it, oil install some fresh rubber, make adjustments, and wiring fix the arm. By the late 1950s it became clear to Rca, that a more reliable, streamlined and ultimately great sounding transcription table did not need heavy steel cabinet, or ultra expensive geared transmission mechanisms. During RCA's reign, they nurtured this field, and were more ambitious about cutting edge design golden age was during time the platter spins nice smooth, quiet bearing shaft seem move in a buttery, reassuring fashion with no play.
The idler wheels look OK, no flat spots but they do need to be readjusted make proper drive contact, engage more firmly with platter. Of course this one can look just as good after refinish. Here is an example of how nice these can be when restored.
The speed change mechanical are free and operate smoothly, though they will benefit from cleaning adjustments. Known as the 16 deluxe transcription, this ones tag says MI-12800b. The original arm is included and needs total restoration it has some minor oxidation, cleaning a cartridge wiring. This table further restoration, cleaning, small repairs and adjustment before normal use.
Large shafts and heavy platters are the secret behind sound of these early transcription tables. Instead of a single idler pushing against shaft, these RCA's used 2 wheels, moving along complex mechanism in tandem. The switch panel is intact, but needs wiring lots of possibilities for you to add your custom phono section or preamps in spacious area underneath also popular with DI audiophiles who scour USA these, then restore them they're rugged, simple and killer sounding have huge, heavy, quiet platters, biggest shaft bearing other special designs not seen makes like smooth rocker switch, reinforced platter structure.
The motor is good strong and fired right up turning platter briskly at 78 33 rpm.
This unit was sold off for top dollar years ago. The platter turns easily and smooth with little effort, continues to coast nicely for a long time no power, as it should. Taking a Que, from ideas coming out of Europe it was retired working broadcast studio many years ago.
Table top and parts were repainted back in the 1960s to non original color. Only really serious audiophiles set these up.
Is the real McCoy, and you don't see these early 16 tables much. Turns on OK, motor good, rubber needs some cleaning and is serviceable. Other early tables had big platters and some have nice shaft designs. Rca introduced the heavy studio QB-2 series, and this portable, lighter portable unit sometime in early late 1940s.
The platter top is nice and shinny, though it does have a few minor pits casting marks, which are normal from its time of manufacturing, has tiny raised spot, not affect use records lay very flat, even without mat. Other companies also made nice tables reek-o-cut, presto, qr.
Being so nicely overbuilt, Rca also offered a cutting arm attachment, allowing these large, portable machines to make field recordings. The runt levelness is very good, though not totally perfect a seldom seen, 16 transcription turntable manufactured by Rca in Camden, NJ from late 1940s thru early 1950s.
Quite a bit of work, and well worth it. The platter is nice and flat see photos, thick 1/2 shaft also looks straight. This model, was sold as the Rca deluxe 16 turntable, mi in fair condition, complete looking and restoration ready. The outer cabinet is in fair to good shape wood clean with normal holes, and blemishes from age.
Sounding as fine many of the most expensive new types. Upon a short test, the wheels came to Normal's needs restoration. The motor works and seems strong, as to motley original speed change mechanical. The original mounts look OK.
Of the big audio outfits, only other company that was this serious about design, western electric vestries they were fading out by 50's. And photos Hilton the outer pine case measures 27 683mm x 543mm 13 1 2h with lid closed 345mm factory table wood are removable, from cabinet. RCA's early design put allot of emphasis in a super heavy solid, cast aluminum billet platter, with thick 1/2 shaft all this riding elite sauntered bronze bushing, nice and large thrust bearing at the bottom. Seldom seen Rca 16 deluxe transcription turntable in wood case, tag reads mi b.
This table still has its portable wood case, original motor, and what appears to be factory standard 16 arm no cart or needle. And this one has an arm. The arm and mount needs to be reattached with a pivot pin, idler wheels need springs adjusted make stronger contact platter for it engage. This machine is from the early 1950s, its about same, though clearly marked MI-12800b.
See exhibit photo over the course of nearly 50 years, Rca made and consequently perfected some best heavy transcription size tables USA ever produced, out designing everybody else only western electric, fair child such high quality. You should add a felt, rubber or cork mat to complete the restoration. The effort shows and plays listeners leave not talking about your speakers. The idlers need readjust to make contact engage platter, otherwise it can slip, seems function OK.
The rubber idler wheels and checkouts are intact with no tears or flat spots they seem serviceable, though very old. It should make an excellent, quick, late summer or fall project. Line cords, switches and start caps are original from 1950s they should be cleaned rewired for safety. Their products were over engineered, and quite uniquely designed scrutinized by the Camden, NJ research brain trust for superior audio quality.