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Half speed masters. Are they worth the extra scratch?

I just purchased a Dire Straits Brothers in Arms half speed master. I'm using a Pioneer PL530 TT. Can this album be played successfully on my TT? I put it on 45 rpm but there is no way to tell if it is spinning at the right speed. The speed control is working but not keeping a steady reading like when I play a normal 33 record. It sounds good but I'm wondering if they should be played on a different table. Also is it worth it to pay extra money for these? I payed 50$ for this album. Thanks for any information.
128x128knighttodd
lalitk's avatar
lalitk
5,614 posts
 
The half speed mastered vinyl has no correlation with the spinning speed of your turntable as long as it is being played at its suggested speed. So relax and enjoy!

You can read up here about half speed mastering, 

https://www.yoursoundmatters.com/what-is-half-speed-mastering/

Is it worth the extra cost, only your ears and pocket can be the judge of that :-)
knighttodd's avatar
knighttodd OP
209 posts
 
I guess what I'm asking is I only have 2 settings 33 1/3 and 45. I have a strobe light to tell me if the table is turning to fast or slow. I don't have setting to run half of 33 1/3. When I run it on 45rpm it sounds normal but my strobe won't tell me if it is turning to fast or slow. Is 45 rpm oh these albums need to be played? Thanks
knighttodd's avatar
knighttodd OP
209 posts
 
If I play at normal speed of 33 1/3 it doesn't sound right. To slow. So I have to put it on 45 to get close to normal sound. Everything I read says play back should be at 331/3 but speed is not right.
johnto
1,033 posts
 
Half speed mastered does not mean you play it at half speed the double Lp's are usually meant to be played at 45 rpm while single Lp's are usually played at 33 1/3 the album should specify the correct speed and your ears will verify this.
I've found that most 45 Lp's do sound better than 33 1/3.
artemus_5's avatar
artemus_5
1,992 posts
 
+1 @johnto

You generally have to set 45 with a different line of dots on the platter than you do with 33. At least on the older ones I had. That may be the problem you are having if you are trying to get the 33 line on platter to stabilize at 45rpm
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