Turn table speed variation question


I've always found that tracks containing sustained piano notes (chords mainly) seem to highlight the smallest variation in platter speed.

However, I do not notice the same speed variations with sustained notes played on any other instruments.

Works well when auditioning turntables, but a PITA when you hit those older, less than stellar recordings, where the tape machine cause the issue.

Wondered if anyone else had the same experience with a different instrument, or is this specific to the piano.

Thanks
williewonka
No analog Lp recording is perfect as far as speed variation.

Nothing to lose sleep over, and can not be totally eliminated, even with the most well designed Lp playback system.

IMO not an listening issue with well designed Lp playback.

If you want perfect speed use digital!
"Perfect" speed from a turntable insures that any error on a record isn't compounded.
Regards,
Good answer Fleib....
No analog Lp recording is perfect as far as speed variation.
Nothing in audio IS perfect......
Just because our speakers aren't 'perfect'....does that excuse us from trying to create a 'better' amplifier?
Providing a platform for the record and turning at the correct speed is the basic function of a table, what it is designed to do. There may be other considerations like immunity to feedback or transmission of vibrations, but spinning at speed is the #1 priority.

Why is it that belt drive fanciers and direct drive fans seem diametrically opposed? Until you get up to very expensive decks, they have different strengths and weaknesses. After you get used to a table you like, that sound becomes your frame of reference, and other tables with different strengths sound wrong. It's not until you recognize a clearly superior table that those barriers might break down.

Why were all the high end tables after the '80s belt drive? The Japanese stopped making direct drive motors. Virtually all the "statement" Japanese decks were direct drive. It's easier to make a belt driver. It's not so easy to make a really good one. So the manufacturers and salespeople told you about benefits of driving a heavy platter with a string and low torque motor. Hear the depth and authority and don't mention the lack of timing and pace. There's a critical relationship between torque and platter mass for all types.

Regardless of cartridge and arm, the way the table spins and all that implies, defines the basic sound of a record player and is the most important part. I think Peterayer and Halcro are doing a great thing for the community, and I applaud their efforts. Maybe nothing is perfect, but you can sure hear the difference with a great table.
Regards,
Well, music is enjoyed from everyone in a different manner. When you hear something you like, it can be played via car stereo or MP3... it doesn't matter. Same with audiophile units...you find for everything raves and enthusiastic recommendations.
Next step is, when you think about technology and compare...it is normal that there are differences...brain is different too. Some have better solutions than others. Does it mean that they are automatically more successful? No. Not in the audiophile world. The reason is very simple, knowledge is replaced from marketing. It is much more easy (and cheap) to write a few lines than to develop something serious.
I wrote about the Sutherland Timeline 2 years ago, when nobody did even know to spell it correctly and wrote about the differences in speed. Most Turntables are simply mediocre.
Can you hear the difference? Yes, of course. But it depends on your knowledge, understanding and quality of System. A female singer with a guitar in the background sounds ok with 35rpm too:-)
Now, some may think, going back to old DD is the solution...well, they have a proper motor management but they are not able from construction to be named as "High End". Let's say, they work, they accelerate and that's it. You can compensate their weeks with colored cartridges but they are the way they are...
Their electronic corrects the speed permanently, "...accelerate--reduce---hold---accelerate--reduce---accelerate---ans do on and on" based on that, listening Piano with it is a pain for me. There was a demonstration about that in the Munich High End Show 2013. All visitors rated the DD negative compared to a regular running belt Turntable...but that is only one technical point, there are much more for a good reproduction.

The Timeline should be used normally from Dealers to select a product before they buy it to sell it to their customers. Same for Manufacturers btw.
But it is ignored from all. All want to sell the stuff they produce and when no one asks for "quality"...well...then we get what we deserve.
It is much easier to shoot the messenger (I know that very well from the guys who think that black color with a few motors has something in common with quality)
Ah, btw, yes, I solved "that" Problem long time ago :-)
Syntax, You make some good points about enjoying favorite music on low fidelity mediums. And about the importance of marketing in high end audio today. Do you remember from the Munich High End Show 2013 what the DD table and "regular running belt Turntable" were in that comparison?

Would you like to add a video showing your Micro Seiki thread drive being tested with the TimeLine to the turntable database in the other thread? It would be interesting to see a document of a truly correct solution to the speed accuracy problem. You take excellent photographs, why not try to post a video?
I wrote about the Sutherland Timeline 2 years ago, when nobody did even know to spell it correctly
That's right.......he did
Only problem was......that it was 2 months after Rockitman and I had introduced the Timeline into the Thread?
And the only person who misspelt it....was Syntax himself......who couldn't spell it at all.....?

Self promotion is never attractive.....but attempting to re-write history is a chutzpah!