“ seldom seen Rek-O-Kut Model B-16H 16" transcription turntable, from an Audio Engineer's estate. I briefly tested the motor, runs well; -- it scrambled healithly to life, platter, shaft and bearing are very smooth. The original motor mounts are still there and seem quite funtional. This table has tons of potential -- speed change mechnicals need restoration and cleaning -- you will be on the road with not too much effort. The table top, made of stellar quality cast aluminum has it's original paint (many scuffs and nicks -- and original logo badge (see exhibit D. You will want to inspect the wiring, and install a new line cord as well.)”
Before quality audio recording tape became viable in the mid to late 1950s -- the way to record audio with fidelity for broadcast was with one the large 16" recording turntables. Early on, during the 1930s and 1940s two coompanies -- Rek-O-Kut in Long Island -- and Presto Sound Recording - Paramus, NJ made the very best tables. Early on, these companies earned the top quality reputation for fine tables suited for demanding recording and playback applications. King of the market for a short time -- before HiFi took off -- and getting a second wind during the late 1950s -- Rek-O-Kut made some of the nicest you can find... Disc recording is a demanding task -- the turntable has to be far more powerful and smooth than an consumer grade device...Rek-O-Kut made some of the most wonderful recorders; and later, during the late 40's and 1950 focused their skills to build some of the finest transcription / playback turntables of the era -- now sought after for home hifi...this Rek-O-Kut, cleaned, refurbished and tuned with a good arm will deliver LP nirvana -- it's the real McCoy...
Right in the league with Fairchild, Gates, Rek-O-Cut and RCA...diy audiophiles all scour the USA for these, then restore them -- they're rugged, simple and killer sounding -- and have very hefty platters on an incredibly thick shaft, and large bearing. This turntable is so smooth, a slight push and it turns quickly for more that a minute with no power alone!
Well suited for home use, when mounted to a plinth of your choice -- these are a dream to use -- they are frequently used with the now highly collectable Gray Research arms, among others.
This turntable has allot of age and patina, the black laquer top is nicked, and scuffed and even so it's still very shinny! The table top has a few extra holes, some drilled for an arm (it appears for bot 12 and 16" size arms).. overall presents quite nicely (it was from a audio engineer's estate, now just out of long time, careful time capsule storage!) The old green felt mat has stains and appears original.
The platter and overall table need lots of cleaning -- the otiginal paint thankfully survives 1940's era Japan black laquer. Has the original Rek - O-Kut, Long Island logo, bottom center (see exhibit A) The motor mounts and rim drive rubber look to have survivied nicely, -- they need cleaning and I did not give the speed mechanisims any type of inspection or test, they need cleaning and adjustments to function properly. The line cord is old & temporary, and straight wired so plan on installing a nicer one later when you install on your plinth... (exhibit D and H).
The motor started up when I plugged in (briefly), and seemed smooth. The platter shaft and bearing likewise are liquid-smooth, the platter spins freely for more than a minute after a mere slight nudge ... quality and heft ! Line cord is serviceble and original late 1940s -- it should be replaced for safety.
Here is an idea of how nice these can be when restored... (not this table, this owner has a nicely running one of these in his home HiFi.. of course this one is prime for restorations, as it has original paint and logo)...!
All-in-all, this is a real find... is the real McCoy, and you don't see these early 16" turntables much... Clean it, oil it, maybe some new rubber, line cord, and install a nice arm or arms(s) (plenty of room for two!)... perhaps something else -- and you will have a solid, killer sounding and deluxe turntable of a rare breed and bygone era. Sounding as fine -- much better than many younger generations cound ever imagine! Better than many expensive new audiophile types. The secret, at least partially is the massive quality of the thick and heavy 16" platter -- rim drive tables like this sound fabulous -- the large shaft, and big bearing (3/8") of these broadcast studio quality transcription tables are dead smooth -- none of the sounds come through that typically wound on cheaper machines. In todays's dollars .. these machines were extremely expensive. Broadcast oriented pro audio companies sparred no expense in materials or craftsmenship.
Only reallyserious audiophiles set these up. A bit of work, and so well worth it. One of the most impressive upgrades to any audiophile system. The effort shows and plays -- listeners leave not talking about your amp and speakers...but your turntable. They were expensive -- Rek-O-Kut built to a very high standard just loke the others of 1940s & 50's america, they are as solid as can be, using the best machining and bearings.
Once you see and hear one of these in action, you too will lust after the silky smooth, sprawling 16" platter spinning with authority...that's why they are so sought after. If you are looking for a cool winter project, and are in need of a real table built in USA, during the 40's and 50s -- this is the one -- Buy Now to avoid a bidder's war, will sell quickly.
The factory cast (in house by Rek-o-Kut) top measures approx 20" x 19" x about 12" deep -- all ready to fasten to your custom plinth or cabinet. Packed weight will be about 40lbs. USPS EMS required to most countries. Certain countries require Global Express Guaranteed or FedEx, cost is higher (Russia and Vietnam may cost as much as $280). Japan, China and most of Europe will be closer to $200 (please refer to shipping calculator above)
Will be carefully prepared, double boxed, platter removed and cushioned for proper, guaranteed safe delivery. Packed weight 40lbs. Shipping ASAP after payment received,see my 100% feedback.
“ seldom seen Rek-O-Kut Model B-16H 16" transcription turntable, from an Audio Engineer's estate. I briefly tested the motor, runs well; -- it scrambled healithly to life, platter, shaft and bearing are very smooth. The original motor mounts are still there and seem quite funtional. This table has tons of potential -- speed change mechnicals need restoration and cleaning -- you will be on the road with not too much effort. The table top, made of stellar quality cast aluminum has it's original paint (many scuffs and nicks -- and original logo badge (see exhibit D. You will want to inspect the wiring, and install a new line cord as well.)”
Before quality audio recording tape became viable in the mid to late 1950s -- the way to record audio with fidelity for broadcast was with one the large 16" recording turntables. Early on, during the 1930s and 1940s two coompanies -- Rek-O-Kut in Long Island -- and Presto Sound Recording - Paramus, NJ made the very best tables. Early on, these companies earned the top quality reputation for fine tables suited for demanding recording and playback applications. King of the market for a short time -- before HiFi took off -- and getting a second wind during the late 1950s -- Rek-O-Kut made some of the nicest you can find... Disc recording is a demanding task -- the turntable has to be far more powerful and smooth than an consumer grade device...Rek-O-Kut made some of the most wonderful recorders; and later, during the late 40's and 1950 focused their skills to build some of the finest transcription / playback turntables of the era -- now sought after for home hifi...this Rek-O-Kut, cleaned, refurbished and tuned with a good arm will deliver LP nirvana -- it's the real McCoy...
Right in the league with Fairchild, Gates, Rek-O-Cut and RCA...diy audiophiles all scour the USA for these, then restore them -- they're rugged, simple and killer sounding -- and have very hefty platters on an incredibly thick shaft, and large bearing. This turntable is so smooth, a slight push and it turns quickly for more that a minute with no power alone!
Well suited for home use, when mounted to a plinth of your choice -- these are a dream to use -- they are frequently used with the now highly collectable Gray Research arms, among others.
This turntable has allot of age and patina, the black laquer top is nicked, and scuffed and even so it's still very shinny! The table top has a few extra holes, some drilled for an arm (it appears for bot 12 and 16" size arms).. overall presents quite nicely (it was from a audio engineer's estate, now just out of long time, careful time capsule storage!) The old green felt mat has stains and appears original.
The platter and overall table need lots of cleaning -- the otiginal paint thankfully survives 1940's era Japan black laquer. Has the original Rek - O-Kut, Long Island logo, bottom center (see exhibit A) The motor mounts and rim drive rubber look to have survivied nicely, -- they need cleaning and I did not give the speed mechanisims any type of inspection or test, they need cleaning and adjustments to function properly. The line cord is old & temporary, and straight wired so plan on installing a nicer one later when you install on your plinth... (exhibit D and H).
The motor started up when I plugged in (briefly), and seemed smooth. The platter shaft and bearing likewise are liquid-smooth, the platter spins freely for more than a minute after a mere slight nudge ... quality and heft ! Line cord is serviceble and original late 1940s -- it should be replaced for safety.
Here is an idea of how nice these can be when restored... (not this table, this owner has a nicely running one of these in his home HiFi.. of course this one is prime for restorations, as it has original paint and logo)...!
All-in-all, this is a real find... is the real McCoy, and you don't see these early 16" turntables much... Clean it, oil it, maybe some new rubber, line cord, and install a nice arm or arms(s) (plenty of room for two!)... perhaps something else -- and you will have a solid, killer sounding and deluxe turntable of a rare breed and bygone era. Sounding as fine -- much better than many younger generations cound ever imagine! Better than many expensive new audiophile types. The secret, at least partially is the massive quality of the thick and heavy 16" platter -- rim drive tables like this sound fabulous -- the large shaft, and big bearing (3/8") of these broadcast studio quality transcription tables are dead smooth -- none of the sounds come through that typically wound on cheaper machines. In todays's dollars .. these machines were extremely expensive. Broadcast oriented pro audio companies sparred no expense in materials or craftsmenship.
Only reallyserious audiophiles set these up. A bit of work, and so well worth it. One of the most impressive upgrades to any audiophile system. The effort shows and plays -- listeners leave not talking about your amp and speakers...but your turntable. They were expensive -- Rek-O-Kut built to a very high standard just loke the others of 1940s & 50's america, they are as solid as can be, using the best machining and bearings.
Once you see and hear one of these in action, you too will lust after the silky smooth, sprawling 16" platter spinning with authority...that's why they are so sought after. If you are looking for a cool winter project, and are in need of a real table built in USA, during the 40's and 50s -- this is the one -- Buy Now to avoid a bidder's war, will sell quickly.
The factory cast (in house by Rek-o-Kut) top measures approx 20" x 19" x about 12" deep -- all ready to fasten to your custom plinth or cabinet. Packed weight will be about 40lbs. USPS EMS required to most countries. Certain countries require Global Express Guaranteed or FedEx, cost is higher (Russia and Vietnam may cost as much as $280). Japan, China and most of Europe will be closer to $200 (please refer to shipping calculator above)
Will be carefully prepared, double boxed, platter removed and cushioned for proper, guaranteed safe delivery. Packed weight 40lbs. Shipping ASAP after payment received,see my 100% feedback.
