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Do you use variable speed on your turntable?

My turntables JVC TT101 and TT81 both have elaborate speed controls which allow quartz controlled accuracy when the speed is changed in small controlled increments, faster or slower than the selected 33 1/3, or 45 rpm speed.

Many turntables allow this controlled speed variance but besides dj's looking to match beats, who ever uses this very expensive feature? When my tables were made no one was beat matching as far as I know so dj's needs didn't drive this design. I can understand this on 78's because of inaccurate recording technology, but there isn't a 78 speed on these turntables and modern records are probably 99.9% accurate so that wasn't the consideration either.

So what is the point?
aigenga
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tonykay
1,304 posts
 
What is the point...are you serious? Records aren't cut at approximate speeds, they're cut at 33 1/3 RPM. But, what if they're not? Without a speed/pitch control you're stuck with the sound you hear. Using the control, you can vary the speed which minutely changes the sound to what was originally recorded, or what you prefer. Also as belts stretch, platters can run slightly slow so it gives you an ability to compensate for that as well. If I had a choice to have it or not, I'd have it!

P.S. Yes, I know that not all records are 33 1/3 RPM.
theo's avatar
theo
2,694 posts
 
If I really like a particular song I will slow it down to make it last longer!
syntax's avatar
syntax
2,193 posts
 
It depends on my mood, sometimes when I want to get back to the good old times where Turntable from Radio Stations were adjusted with higher speed (more dynamic for Garrads, EMT etc.) I do it for a few minutes. But then I go back to correct speed. I like chamber music the way it should be...
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nsgarch
2,524 posts
 
Hmmm . . . does no one here remember back in the 70's when cassettes were the reigning personal music format (Nakamichi-to-Alpine-to-Walkman) and everyone made their own personal mix tapes? My friends and I considered TT's with variable speed control extra-special because they enabled us to fit a selection, or group of songs, onto one side of a 30 or 60 min. cassette -- plus no 'dead air' when you were driving along, and the auto-reverse kicked in!

Doesn't anyone remember those times? I'm getting sooo depressed ;~(
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audiofeil
4,011 posts
 
I installed a 5 speed gearbox on my Technics SP-25.

Next are positraction and wide ovals.

I'll make that vinyl smoke.
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