That is Auto return. (as opposed to just Auto stop). Unfortunately, I've had to fix several Technics turntables that have auto return. My favorite system is actually just auto stop where it stops and lifts the tone arm off of the record. You should see how many fewer gears there are underneath the turntable when it is just auto stop. About 1/10 of the things that can get messed up. And what do you really accomplish with auto return of return instead of just auto stop? You already have to walk over there to change the record. Takes about one second to move the arm over. You lose all of those saved seconds the first time you have to fix the auto return. 🙂 You won't have to replace your test record as often if you don't stick your fingers all over it 🙂
Yes indeed. I just ordered the LP Gear Reference VS P-mount for my Technics SL-QL15 linear tracker turntable. This seems to be a good upgrade from the AT LT121 with elliptical stylus that I currently have on there. At least the "plug-n-play" P-mount will allow me to easily swap and compare.