Draft Response to Insurance
Apr. 30th, 2023 08:29 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
stormdogIf anyone is up to it and has time, I would really appreciate comments on the below. Specifically, I'd like to make it as simple, easy-to-understand, and non-confrontational as possible. Thank you!
Please forgive the formatting; it's much better as a PDF.
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Item 1: Your proposed replacement of a Marantz 2270 receiver with a Marantz NR1200 receiver
I propose the Marantz PM8006 as a much closer match for the destroyed 2270’s feature set than the suggested NR1200.
The 2270 possessed the following features that the NR1200 does not have:
• Dual phono preamp stages
• 3-way tone control with independent R/L channel adjustment
• Dedicated preamp and power amp connections for independent use
• 2 onboard mains power outlets
• Connection to output “raw” FM signal for processing by an offboard device.
The Marantz PM8006, though it still lacks dual phono preamps, mains outlets, and a raw FM connection, is a much closer match for the 2270. Points of comparison include:
• It matches the more limited feature set of the 2270 much more closely
◦ The NR1200 supports video, digital signals via coaxial or optical connections, wi-fi, home network connectivity, zoned simultaneous playback from separate sources, Bluetooth, media streaming, USB connectivity, and voice commands, none of which were/are supported by the 2700 or the PM8006
• It matches the 2270’s 3-way onboard tone controls, though it still does not allow independent channel adjustment.
◦ The NR1200 has 2-way tone control.
• It matches the 2270’s dedicated preamp and power amp connections.
◦ The NR1200 lacks dedicated power amp connectors.
• It matches the 2270’s power more closely at 70 watts per channel
◦ The NR1200 is more powerful at 75 watts per channel
The cost is justified because the next lowest tier product in Marantz’ line of integrated amplifiers (the PM7000N):
• Lacks 3-way tone control and dedicated power amp connections
• Is less powerful at 60 watts per channel
• Has many wireless and other connectivity features that the 2270 and the NR1200 did/do not
The PM8006, retailing at $1,999 CAD, also represents a smaller purchase than the original 2270, which retailed at $549.95 USD in 1973, or approximately $3600 USD now, adjusting for inflation.
Item 2: Your proposed replacement of a Realistic LAB-2000 linear tracking turntable with an Audio Technica AT-LP60XGM
I propose the Audio-Technica LP-120XUSB turntable as a better-suited replacement for the LAB-2000 table than the suggested AT-LP60XGM.
The proposed AT-LP60XGM has significant and fundamental differences from the LAB-2000. Most importantly, the LAB-2000 was a linear tracking turntable. This is a completely different design approach from a conventionally tracking design.
Linear tracking has become an exotic and prohibitively expensive feature. Similarly a table that combines fully automatic operation with direct drive, as the LAB-2000 did, is not currently on the market. Because the linear tracking feature was the most important aspect of this table, and because linear tracking was an attempt to resolve engineering problems related to tracking weight and skating force, an appropriate replacement would have quality, adjustable systems to manage those aspects of operation. I have also prioritized direct drive over automatic operation in evaluating replacements.
The below points detail the ways in which the LP-120XUSB is a closer match than the AT-LP60XGM as a replacement for the LAB-2000:
• It matches the missing functionality of a liner tracking system with a quality, adjustable system to manage tracking force and anti-skate
◦ Tracking force and anti-skate are not adjustable on the AT-LP60XGM
• It matches the LAB-2000s direct drive design, one of two fundamentally different designs for rotating the platter
◦ The AT-LP60XGM uses belt drive
• It better matches the quality level of the LAB-2000
◦ The LAB-2000 was the most expensive turntable in the Realistic product line, retailing at $259.95 USD in 1983. While the full retail price adjusted for inflation (over $900 USD) is unrealistic, the fact that the AT-LP60XGM’s current retail price is about $50 less than the price of the LAB-2000 was 40 years ago is telling regarding the quality of the product.
• It matches the LAB-2000’s stroboscopic timing light to confirm correct speed at a glance
◦ The AT-LP60XGM does not have a stroboscopic timing light
• It matches the LAB-2000’s ability to make fine manual adjustments of speed
◦ The AT-LP60XGM has no provisions for manual speed adjustment.
Please forgive the formatting; it's much better as a PDF.
=============
Item 1: Your proposed replacement of a Marantz 2270 receiver with a Marantz NR1200 receiver
I propose the Marantz PM8006 as a much closer match for the destroyed 2270’s feature set than the suggested NR1200.
The 2270 possessed the following features that the NR1200 does not have:
• Dual phono preamp stages
• 3-way tone control with independent R/L channel adjustment
• Dedicated preamp and power amp connections for independent use
• 2 onboard mains power outlets
• Connection to output “raw” FM signal for processing by an offboard device.
The Marantz PM8006, though it still lacks dual phono preamps, mains outlets, and a raw FM connection, is a much closer match for the 2270. Points of comparison include:
• It matches the more limited feature set of the 2270 much more closely
◦ The NR1200 supports video, digital signals via coaxial or optical connections, wi-fi, home network connectivity, zoned simultaneous playback from separate sources, Bluetooth, media streaming, USB connectivity, and voice commands, none of which were/are supported by the 2700 or the PM8006
• It matches the 2270’s 3-way onboard tone controls, though it still does not allow independent channel adjustment.
◦ The NR1200 has 2-way tone control.
• It matches the 2270’s dedicated preamp and power amp connections.
◦ The NR1200 lacks dedicated power amp connectors.
• It matches the 2270’s power more closely at 70 watts per channel
◦ The NR1200 is more powerful at 75 watts per channel
The cost is justified because the next lowest tier product in Marantz’ line of integrated amplifiers (the PM7000N):
• Lacks 3-way tone control and dedicated power amp connections
• Is less powerful at 60 watts per channel
• Has many wireless and other connectivity features that the 2270 and the NR1200 did/do not
The PM8006, retailing at $1,999 CAD, also represents a smaller purchase than the original 2270, which retailed at $549.95 USD in 1973, or approximately $3600 USD now, adjusting for inflation.
Item 2: Your proposed replacement of a Realistic LAB-2000 linear tracking turntable with an Audio Technica AT-LP60XGM
I propose the Audio-Technica LP-120XUSB turntable as a better-suited replacement for the LAB-2000 table than the suggested AT-LP60XGM.
The proposed AT-LP60XGM has significant and fundamental differences from the LAB-2000. Most importantly, the LAB-2000 was a linear tracking turntable. This is a completely different design approach from a conventionally tracking design.
Linear tracking has become an exotic and prohibitively expensive feature. Similarly a table that combines fully automatic operation with direct drive, as the LAB-2000 did, is not currently on the market. Because the linear tracking feature was the most important aspect of this table, and because linear tracking was an attempt to resolve engineering problems related to tracking weight and skating force, an appropriate replacement would have quality, adjustable systems to manage those aspects of operation. I have also prioritized direct drive over automatic operation in evaluating replacements.
The below points detail the ways in which the LP-120XUSB is a closer match than the AT-LP60XGM as a replacement for the LAB-2000:
• It matches the missing functionality of a liner tracking system with a quality, adjustable system to manage tracking force and anti-skate
◦ Tracking force and anti-skate are not adjustable on the AT-LP60XGM
• It matches the LAB-2000s direct drive design, one of two fundamentally different designs for rotating the platter
◦ The AT-LP60XGM uses belt drive
• It better matches the quality level of the LAB-2000
◦ The LAB-2000 was the most expensive turntable in the Realistic product line, retailing at $259.95 USD in 1983. While the full retail price adjusted for inflation (over $900 USD) is unrealistic, the fact that the AT-LP60XGM’s current retail price is about $50 less than the price of the LAB-2000 was 40 years ago is telling regarding the quality of the product.
• It matches the LAB-2000’s stroboscopic timing light to confirm correct speed at a glance
◦ The AT-LP60XGM does not have a stroboscopic timing light
• It matches the LAB-2000’s ability to make fine manual adjustments of speed
◦ The AT-LP60XGM has no provisions for manual speed adjustment.
