THE MCS SERIES 6800 TURNTABLE | A PLEASURE TO OPERATE
THE PROGRAMMABLE, REMOTE CONTROLLED, MULTIPLAY TURNTABLE
High-quality turntables are rare. Programmable turntables even more so. But a high-quality, programmable turntable with a remote control and the ability to play multiple records? Impossible.
Except the MCS Series 6800 turntable promises all that and more. This system from MCS (Modular Component Systems) was sold by JCPenney in the late 70s or early 80s. The turntable itself is sturdy, weighing in at 14 pounds and measuring 17.25” by 17.5” by 7” (length by width by height). Looking at it, you would think someone reinvented the turntable! It’s sleek, well-built, and catches the eye just as well as it catches the ear.
PROGRAMMABLE
The beating heart of this turntable is its ability to be programmed, either by the front panel or the remote control. At the touch of a finger, you can instruct this turntable to remember and obey up to…drum roll, please…27 different commands! This means you can do almost anything from playing a whole side to playing just a favorite track to rejecting a record to repeating a track. You can even raise all your records and start them over from the beginning!
This programmable turntable then offers three modes of operation:
- You can play as many as six records, selecting as many tracks on each record, in any sequence, up to those 27 different commands.
- You can program “ALL,” and the entire record will be played automatically.
- You can play a single record manually by either using the automatic umbrella spindle or by replacing it with the manual stub spindle.
CONTROL PANEL FUNCTIONS
At the front of the turntable is an array of controls. Along with Power On and Power Off, you have commands such as CLEAR to erase the current programming, REJECT to skip the selection being played and move on to the next, and CUE to raise and lower the tonearm. If you keep going along the control panel, you will also find REPEAT to repeat the current track, RAISE RECORDS to raise all the records to the top of the umbrella spindle, and NEXT RECORD to call for the next record.
After these commands, you’ll find a series of numbers, one through thirteen. Pressing these will program the tracks on the record in the sequence the keys are activated. Pressing the ALL button next to the numbers will program the turntable to play the entire record.
Finally, it’s interesting to note that this turntable very uniquely does not have any record size or speed selection controls. That’s because these are automatically set during the scanning function. 7-inch records are always played at 45 RPM. 12-inch records are always played at 33-⅓ RPM.
OTHER FEATURES
But wait…there’s more! Not only can you program the turntable, you also get several other fun features you can play around with.
The 6800 has a lateral cue, so that by touching Track 13, the tonearm will scan inward across the record. Then, when the tonearm is above the passage or portion of the track you want to listen to, simply touch CUE and the tonearm will descend to the record and play just that portion.
It also allows for single play operation using the automatic umbrella spindle so you don’t have to use the manual stub spindle if you wish. Just place the record on the umbrella spindle, touch NEXT RECORD, watch as the record is lowered, then enjoy the music!
And don’t worry - this turntable promises to treat your records gently, with respect. With multiplay you can play up to six records at a sitting, but it never drops records; instead, it lowers them carefully thanks to its unique rotary spindle.
REMOTE CONTROL
Perhaps the coolest part of this turntable is its remote control. Unlike most turntables, the MCS 6800 allows you to operate the majority of the system from a wireless remote. The remote control itself looks like something out of an old Star Trek episode: it’s blocky, has large buttons, and is a mix of shiny silver and black.
The remote control allows you to do all of the programming, choose tracks, raise and lower the tone arm, and even control the volume.
The best part? This means you can run the whole show from the comfort of your favorite armchair.
SPECIFICATIONS
- Type: Two Speed Belt Drive
- Motor: 24-Pole A.C. Synchronous
- Speeds: 33-1/3 and 45 RPM
- Build Up Time: Under 2 Seconds to Full Speed
- Platter: 11.875” (301mm) Diameter
- Rumble: -65dB
- Wow and Flutter: 0.05% W.R.M.S.
- Tonearm: Straight Arm
- Effective Length: 8.7” (221mm)
- Overhang: 0.75” (19mm)
- Offset Angle: 25 degrees
IN SUMMARY
The 6800 is a 3-hit KO: it’s programmable, remote controlled, and multi-playable. It combines simplicity and convenience into a single turntable that lets you listen to your music with ease. Just set up your records, grab a cup of coffee or a mug of tea, settle into your seat, and let the music roll over you with the remote in hand.
With a turntable like this, you won’t need anything else.
If you’re interested in owning this beautiful system or seeing more pictures of it, you can check it out here:
Leave a comment