Turntable Details
Drive
Idler
Motor
Induction
Wow & Flutter %
0.98
Rumble [dB]
-35
Speed
33, 45, 78
Dimensions [mm]
Platter Material
Platter Diameter [mm]
305.0
Total Weight [kg]
Tonearm
Year Built
1953
Platter Weight [kg]
Plinth Material
Price
$125 (1953)
Additional information
The Rek-O-Kut P-43VC is a professional 16" transcription turntable designed for broadcast and studio use, notable for its continuously variable speed control and dual-stylus compatibility.
Drive System and Motor
Continuously variable speed (adjusted via a dial or lever), supporting precise pitch control for playback of archival or non-standard recordings.
Uses an idler-wheel drive system with a neoprene tire for torque transmission, paired with a hysteresis synchronous motor for stable speed regulation.
Speed range typically spans 33⅓ to 78 RPM, with some models extending to 90 RPM for specialized applications.
Platter and Bearing
16" cast aluminum platter, dynamically balanced with a heavy rim for inertial stability.
Features a single-ball thrust bearing for low-friction rotation, common in Rek-O-Kut’s professional models.
Noise and Performance
Noise level: Rated 40 dB below average recording level, comparable to other idler-drive Rek-O-Kut models.
Wow and flutter: Unspecified for the P-43VC, but similar models (e.g., T-12H) achieve <0.1%.
Tonearm and Pickup
Designed for dual-stylus operation, accommodating both 78 RPM (steel/iron needles) and microgroove (magnetic cartridges).
May include a magnetic variable reluctance pickup (as in the P-43M variant) or support third-party broadcast tonearms.
Construction and Features
Cast aluminum chassis with ribbed reinforcement, designed for flush mounting in broadcast consoles.
Strobe disc integrated for speed verification.
Context and Variants
The P-43VC differs from the P-43M (fixed-speed magnetic pickup) and P-43C (crystal pickup) by offering variable speed.
Shares design elements with Rek-O-Kut’s T-12H/T-43H series, but optimized for 16" transcription discs