Back to the future. That's really the only thing that can describe the latest innovation in music playback technology, and this time it's not the techies, but the vinyl junkies that are going to be jumping for joy.

We've long been told that the music contained on a record was superior to that on a CD. Now that same laser technology used for CDs and DVDs has been applied to vinyl and proves it, too. The new LT turntable from Audioturntable, Ltd., looks like an LP-sized CD player, and the ease of use is the same. A vinyl junkie's wet dream: instead of a needle and stylus, the player utilizes a laser, offering spectacular sound and allowing the user to play even scratched records. It can play 45s, 10-inch, and LPs, and will certainly become the preferred way to listen to brittle 78s. Best of all, since the light beam never touches the grooves, even warped discs can be played.

Right now vinyl sales for current artists are the only part of the music industry's prediction of an increase, and a player like this has unlimited potential, especially in light of all the used vinyl that's out there. All of a sudden, even a thrift store find in dodgy condition has potential.

These wonderful things are summed up by the companies motto "No Needle. No Wear," according to the company's Keith Taruski. "With a stylus, you must contend with the mass and inertia of the stylus/cantilever and magnet or coil, together with their inherent electromechanical resonance. Laser light has no mass, which means that the LT has an almost infinite transient response and no resonance. The harmonics are always true and uncolored." Tarsuki draws an analogy, "A moving magnet is like driving a 4000-pound sedan on a mountain road; a moving coil is like driving a 2000-pound sports car; the LT is like a 30-pound sport bike with tires that never slip, but that goes even faster!"

Of course, the machine won't play everything. "The lasers need to reflect off a surface in order to read the information," explains Taruski. "Picture discs use clear vinyl over a picture and colored vinyl is too clear. Therefore the lasers cannot reflect the information back into analog sound."

Sadly there is a major downside to the player: the price. At the moment the players are retailing for $14,999! As everyone knows, technology generally comes down in price after time, and Taruski acknowledges that would be the key for reaching a larger market. "It will only reach the mainstream if the price is lowered and the LT is mass produced. [Unfortunately] to mass produce the current model would not work. It would have to be totally redesigned for this type of production. Otherwise it is designed for audiophiles, musicians, archivists, producers, universities, and libraries."

Despite the cost, it's clear that any die-hard music fan will need an LT player eventually. "This is the easiest and most user friendly hardware to play records with," says Taruski. "Once you own one you won't go back to CD."

As yet, no one in San Diego carries stereo components quite this high end, but anyone interested in obtaining one of these impressive machines can contact Coast Recording Equipment Supply, Inc. 6223 Santa Monica Blvd. Hollywood, CA 90038 or go to: http://www.audioturntable.com.

The Art of 45 Picture Sleeves

In keeping with the vinyl theme, as well as a San Diego music history angle, here we offer a peek at an assortment of 45 picture sleeves with a local connection from the last four decades. Picture sleeves were infrequently released until the late 1970s, but we may feature labels, albums, 78s and other memorabilia in future editions.

1. Stephen Bishop ? Animal House (1978) An infamous movie cameo for the ex-singer of late 1960s Clairemont faves, The Weeds
2. Beat Farmers ? Bigger Stones (1985) First U.S. pressing with stickered back
3. Listen ? Little Black Book (1977) Bootlegged power pop classic, featuring Marc Intravaia, later of Eve Selis Band
4. The Union Gap featuring Gary Puckett ? Young Girl (1968) Pre-Jos? Sinatra version of the classic tune
5. Front Four ? Charger Rock (198?) A rare Penetrators-Beat Farmers side project
6. Jim Croce ? Time in a Bottle (1972) An iconic image. What if the song hadn?t been released as a single?
7. Crawdaddys ? Chicago EP (1988) Rare Spain only EP with exclusive tracks
8. Rice Kryspies ? Direct from Forest Home (196?) Early San Diego bluegrass, featuring Wayne Rice, later of Brush Arbor