EMT 950-322: The 'RAI' 950

This a very good original, fairly unmolested example of the special 950 ordered by the Italian RAI (Radiotelevisione Italiana). Please note some of its special features, like the 'Sonderausführung' version of the 929 arm, whilst the stylus lamp is placed on the right of the deck

The main feature of this special 950, that makes it very attractive to audiophiles, is the 'Sonderausführung' EMT 929 tonearm; this means that it accepts SME-type shells instead of the mandatory Neumann/EMT units that are necessary on any other 950 (and other EMTs with the standard 929). This allows to use also one of my favourite vintage MC cartridges, the Sony XL55 Pro in its integral shell (below)

Other points of interest: the Perspex cover for the tonearm bearing (it protects the tonearm from accidental contacts in the studio and a similar solution can be found on contemporary Telefunken machines), nicknamed 'Steinschlaghaube' by EMT insiders, and the small brass counterweight

A better view of the Perspex 'hut'. It was designed by RAI and manufactured by EMT in Lahr

Minor signs of wear around the monitor volume knob

The 33 and 45 switches are not 'burnt' like it happens on many hard-working 950s

Even in this special 950, the boards slide out for easiness of maintenance. The board partially extracted for display is the phono card, in this case a '088' card for MM cartridges

The rear of this 950 is pristine. Amazingly, its front and rear tilting covers are quite nice, a rarity amongst these often abused studio workhorses