For years, I, like many others, poured through, over and under most every conceivable way of locating and buying a 4 channel turntable.  These unique decks were produced for only a very few years, as vinyl, in any format, was on the verge of dying due the cassettes and eventually, CD's.  My collection of vinyl was very large and up-to-date, as it were in the late 70's and early 80's.

Quadraphonic sound (4-channel) was the predecessor of our modern day "surround sound".  Within it's limits, it was amazing.   The first vinyl's were classical exposes, with a few rock, folk and big band disks introduced.  Many were remakes of existing albums...Dark Side of the Moon, Santana Abraxas, et al. know commonly as CD-4.  A CD-4 turntable was necessary, possessing a quad cartridge. A CD-4 demodulator and quadraphonic receiver were also required, all of which, could cost thousands of dollars, even in 1972.  Soon followed by Q-4 8 track tapes and between the two venues, one could amass a very good library of 4 channel music. 

Over time, however, with the advancement of digital recording and transfer, quadraphonic sound took a backseat very fast.  Then to the trunk, then out the window.  Over the years, audiophiles have rediscovered their libraries, made attempts to locate and buy the quality, but antique equipment and record the old platters onto CD, or perhaps, one of the other existing formats, most brought about by computers.  Finding receivers has never been more of a problem than which manufacturer do you believe made the best one.  To each his own here.  Demodulators, a must for even playing a CD-4 record, are a bit more tricky to find.  I know a friend who had a Pioneer demodulator....didn't even know what is was for.  He thought it was a reverb unit and he had no use for it.

We tested it and found it to be junk.  I would have given him a fair price for it had the unit functioned.  Until 3 years ago, it had been the last one I had actually had my hands on for many years prior.

Now, I am no ones expert on 4 channel platters.  Still learning alot about them, but learning fast.

I began collecting the makings of a quad studio 3 years ago.  Had alot to learn and with help from knowledgable people, began to get the right equipment for my intended purposes.  What was hanging me up, was a 4 channel turntable.  I had only seen a few in the early 70's.  Friends who had money, time and the libraries to play.

My quest took me all over eBay and other auction sites.  Rarely, and I mean Rarely, did I come across a fully functioning, intact quad TT.  Of course, whoever had them up for auction also knew what they had, and their starting bids told the tale.  After a year of frustration, I found a guy that made custom quad cartridges for a reasonable price.  Claimed he could design and assemble a quad cartridge for most any turntable on the market.  My thinking at the time was to ask if a stereo turntable could be converted to a CD-4 turntable.  What would it take?  Where would I find the wiring, generators and connectors at?  Lots of questions, and I thought he might know the answer.  He did.  I told him what I had.  A Pioneer PL-520, in prime shape and ready to go.  He told me he could make a quad cartridge for that in about an hour.  Well, fine, but what good is it to me if the deck is stereo?  That's when he hits me between the eyes....ALL quad turntables are stereo.  Its the cartridge that is CD-4.  The turntable doesn't matter.  Thats why you have to have the demodulator.  To "reassemble" the stereo output back into the quad signal picked up by the quad stylus.  And here I thought the turntable did all the work. 

On faith alone, I ordered his cartridge (about $65.00) and installed it on the PL-520.  Amazing.  Discrete 4channel, beautiful separation and very, very quiet operation.  All that time, looking for something I didn't really need and all those wonderful turntables I ignored looking for a quad. 

So, for those of you looking for the elusive, "quadraphonic" turntable, check out the idea of installing a new cartridge in your old deck.  I just converted my Mitsubishi LT-5V to quad.  Although I have not yet checked it out, I have no doubt that it will perform to my satisfaction.

For those of you who have wanted to get into quadraphonic but were having a hard time scoring the gear; for those of you who have the old CD-4 vinyls in the attic, basement or garage or for those of you wanting to refurbish your equipment, here is one solution that may take the sharp edge off doing so. 

Good luck, good hunting and enjoy the original "surround sound".

Mike