Sharp VZ2000 / VZ2500 quality?

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uneksija

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The Sharp VZ2000 and VZ2500 seem interesting due to their capability of playing vinyl records. But what kind of mechanism is used in their vinyl players? I know it's a linear tracking system, but are there any further details? Also, what is the suggested needle weight for them? I'm just wondering if these boomboxes are "gentle" on records in general - I'm wondering if I'd dare to play my precious records with a VZ2000/VZ2500... I've heard some linear tracking vinyl players are a bit rough on records.

Also, which one is better, the VZ2000 or the VZ2500? Is there any significant difference in sound?

Most comments on the VZ2000 are quite positive, so I guess they sound good.

There's a serviced VZ2000 for sale in a nearby country for about 550€, and it got me thinking about these boomboxes... Shipping might not make the deal so tempting, though.

There's also a cheap VZ2500 available, but it's not been serviced. I don't have time for such a big project at the moment...
 
maxhifi

maxhifi

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Provided it works properly, it shouldn't be hard on records. It used a decent quality magnetic cartridge and has acceptable specs. The only issue will be if it isn't working right and the arm doesn't move properly, so test it with cheap records first. That said I wouldn't play rare or extremely valuable records on this sort of machine.
 
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floyd

floyd

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maxhifi said:
Provided it works properly, it shouldn't be hard on records. It used a decent quality magnetic cartridge and has acceptable specs. The only issue will be if it isn't working right and the arm doesn't move properly, so test it with cheap records first. That said I wouldn't play rare or extremely valuable records on this sort of machine.
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If the belts go bad or the linear tracking belt is bad the needle will not advance as the record plays . this causes the needle to skip and will scratch the record that's why this unit must be in good well maintained working condition if you want to avoid ruining a good record.
 
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floyd

floyd

Boomus Fidelis
floyd said:
If the belts go bad or the linear tracking belt is bad the needle will not advance as the record plays . this causes the needle to skip and will scratch the record that's why this unit must be in good well maintained working condition if you want to avoid ruining a good record.
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I've had 5 of these and I love them but they can be a massive headache
When they act up.
 
Eddy

Eddy

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Maybe that's why most turntables in general are non linear tracking ones.
And VZ 2000 sound is poor
 
dubout

dubout

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Here is a review from techmoan that I found pretty spot on:

The VZ2000 is more sought after than the VZ2500 I think because of it's look, I guess they are pretty much the same inside. But don't take my word for it!

I have my VZ2500 for a few years now and I love it. They sound great for what they are but bear in mind that the bass isn't the greatest because it could make the needle jump. That being said they get pretty loud and also even low frequencies are reproduced. Just don't expect it to thump for above reasons. For me, it still sounds better than most boxes I own.

I never had problems with the turntable wearing my records out. The pickup is an Audiotechnica I believe, built for about 1 gram needle weight. So the potential is there for the VZ2000 / VZ2500 to be gentle on records. Maybe play a not-so-precious record thirty times and find out.

Why would you want to play a valuable record on this system in the first place? No boombox is Hifi and none will bring out the full potential of a recording. Everything is being repressed nowadays which is a good thing, just play those.
 
maxhifi

maxhifi

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Eddy said:
Maybe that's why most turntables in general are non linear tracking ones.
And VZ 2000 sound is poor
Click to expand...

Linear tracking is kind of a solution looking for a problem, but it can work extremely well, and it certainly not inherently hard on records. A linear tracker is more complex than a tangential tonearm, and more expensive too. These days you don't see them anymore for a combination of reasons, but I believe the main one is that its too complex to make profit on them if only small quantities are being produced.

One of the main issues I've found with plays both side type record players, is when the record is only supported in the middle to permit access to both sides, you get somewhat exaggerated rumble and warp related noise because the record is supporting itself. They're very convenient and fun to use, but the large weighted platter and heavy mat of a normal turntable do a lot to improve the sound.

A boombox isn't a place for a turntable in general, because of proxomity to speakers, so the Sharp shouldn't be regarded as a be all end all turntable, but rather a technological curiosity. Rather than a poor stereo I'd instead think of it as the best ever portable record player. And one which won't damage records at that.

I'm thinking a better way to listen to records on a boombox is probably just to connect my SL1200 to the phono input, make a tape, and then use the tape to listen to.
 
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uneksija

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Thanks for all the input! By "my precious records" I meant that all my LPs are precious to me in general :) I wouldn't play any rare/collectable stuff with a VZ2000, just in case.

What draws me to a VZ2000 is exactly what maxhifi mentioned - a technological curiosity and a great portable vinyl player. I mean for living room listening I've got a Rega RP3 with a Nagaoka MP200 cartridge connected to Dali 606 speakers. It sounds OK and of course a lot better than any portable vinyl player could sound. But I don't think anybody at Boomboxery listens to boomboxes with the aim of experiencing the best possible high-end audio :)

I'm a boomboxing newbie, but I've already realized how much fun the portability is. My kids often occupy my living room, watching tv and playing with toys. They don't exactly always want that I listen to techno or punk rock with high volume when they are in the living room. I respect that. In these situations it's sometimes nice to take a boombox to some other room in the house and blast away. It would be fun to have the vinyl option here as I currently feel I'm not listening to my records enough.

But I don't think I'm getting a VZ2000 just yet. Anyways, it would be very cool to see one live and listen to how it sounds. Some day.

Also I gotta check the Techmoan video, just not time today for it...
 
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maxhifi

maxhifi

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uneksija said:
Thanks for all the input! By "my precious records" I meant that all my LPs are precious to me in general :) I wouldn't play any rare/collectable stuff with a VZ2000, just in case.

What draws me to a VZ2000 is exactly what maxhifi mentioned - a technological curiosity and a great portable vinyl player. I mean for living room listening I've got a Rega RP3 with a Nagaoka MP200 cartridge connected to Dali 606 speakers. It sounds OK and of course a lot better than any portable vinyl player could sound. But I don't think anybody at Boomboxery listens to boomboxes with the aim of experiencing the best possible high-end audio :)

I'm a boomboxing newbie, but I've already realized how much fun the portability is. My kids often occupy my living room, watching tv and playing with toys. They don't exactly always want that I listen to techno or punk rock with high volume when they are in the living room. I respect that. In these situations it's sometimes nice to take a boombox to some other room in the house and blast away. It would be fun to have the vinyl option here as I currently feel I'm not listening to my records enough.

But I don't think I'm getting a VZ2000 just yet. Anyways, it would be very cool to see one live and listen to how it sounds. Some day.

Also I gotta check the Techmoan video, just not time today for it...
Click to expand...

I'm new to boomboxes too, having not used one regularly since I moved on to stereos in the early 1990s, but I'm not new to high-end audio. I recently got a Clairtone 7980, and it's beem a lot of fun refurbishint it. If you've only looked at photos so far, I strongly suggest actually hearing a large boombox so you know what you're getting into. It's so much different than the smaller and cheaper radios I remember from my youth. Loud, with a strong sense of presence.
 
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uneksija

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maxhifi said:
I'm new to boomboxes too, having not used one regularly since I moved on to stereos in the early 1990s, but I'm not new to high-end audio. I recently got a Clairtone 7980, and it's beem a lot of fun refurbishint it. If you've only looked at photos so far, I strongly suggest actually hearing a large boombox so you know what you're getting into. It's so much different than the smaller and cheaper radios I remember from my youth. Loud, with a strong sense of presence.
Click to expand...

I was born in 1982 so I've never really been exposed to boomboxes of the golden era in my youth - or if I have I have no memories of it. In the 90's we had this big JVC boombox with a CD player. It was neat back then.

I acquired a Philips D8614 a while ago and spend a lot of time restoring it. It sure sounds pretty neat, especially if you place it in a certain position in a room. It sounded good outside too. Unfortunately the tape still doesn't play perfectly. I'll see if a rubber rejuvenating stuff will help (it might be pinch roller related).

There's an Aiwa TPR-950 project waiting and also soon a Sanyo MX920... This is getting out of hand quickly :)

Congrats on the Clairtone. That's my grail! Unfortunately I don't think I'll ever find a cheap Conion C100F or Clairtone 7980 locally, so the option would be Ebay... I think I'll focus on my existing boxes for the time being :)
 
maxhifi

maxhifi

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uneksija said:
I was born in 1982 so I've never really been exposed to boomboxes of the golden era in my youth - or if I have I have no memories of it. In the 90's we had this big JVC boombox with a CD player. It was neat back then.

I acquired a Philips D8614 a while ago and spend a lot of time restoring it. It sure sounds pretty neat, especially if you place it in a certain position in a room. It sounded good outside too. Unfortunately the tape still doesn't play perfectly. I'll see if a rubber rejuvenating stuff will help (it might be pinch roller related).

There's an Aiwa TPR-950 project waiting and also soon a Sanyo MX920... This is getting out of hand quickly :)

Congrats on the Clairtone. That's my grail! Unfortunately I don't think I'll ever find a cheap Conion C100F or Clairtone 7980 locally, so the option would be Ebay... I think I'll focus on my existing boxes for the time being :)
Click to expand...

Sounds to me like you've got some seriously nice stuff already! The Clairtone was simply a lucky find for me, I'd never seen one before. Really I think the secret to it sounding good is large enough speakers to have a low resonant frequency, while retaining efficiency. It gives it punchy upper bass, presence, and volume that smaller speakers would struggle to produce from D batteries. It's pretty poorly made in general compared with more conventional name brands, but it gets the idea right, and looks great.

I think if I get another one it will probably be a Lasonic. There's two or three models that stand out as being interesting to me, like the Clairtone but black and with a bit updated electronics.
 
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