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VPI Speed Problem

I have a VPI Super Scoutmaster with SDS. Fabulous sound, had it for about a year. I moved to a new place about 5 months ago and have had it set up and working well for about 3 months in the new location.

Recently, I thought the first song on some album sides sounded slow, but as the album played a minute or two, all sounded right again. Now, everything sounds slow all the time, both 33's and 45's. I tried bypassing the SDS, though there is no speed setting on the motor assembly, so I don't know if that should sound right, but it sounds very slow and muddy as well.

Any thoughts on what might be wrong or how to troubleshoot? Any insight would be appreciated.
kthomas
srwooten's avatar
srwooten
694 posts
 
If you have the VPI Strobe disc allsÂ’ you need is a regular light that would be plugged into an AC outlet. It cycles at 60 Hz. Maybe not as accurate as a strobe you ordered, but will surfice until that one arrives. The TT bearing grease recommended to me by HW of VPI is white lithium grease. You can get it at any auto parts store for a few bucks. Clean out the old grease before putting in this fresh dose.
johnbrown
195 posts
 
If you bought the tt new, it should have a strobe disc-with that, you don't need a 'strobe'-a fluorescent, or even an incandescent light, held over the strobe disc, will 'flash' at 60 cycles to make the scale on the disc appear to stabilize when the speed is correct. If you don't have one, they're available at VinylEngine (free) to download and print.

Not to keep flogging this point, but until you have a way to check the actual speed of the platter, you can't make any assumptions about speed inaccuracies with your deck, or make a meaningful correction to the speed. Unless there is something horribly wrong (unlikely) your SDS will be able to produce a dead-accurate 33 1/3 (and 45) rpm.

As an aside, an idler drive is no more speed accurate, without correction, than any other type of turntable drive-the ability to hear Van Morrison farting during a recording session doesn't mean that the fart is exiting his buttockial area at the correct speed.
johnbrown
195 posts
 
Hey, Srwooten, we must have posted at almost the same time. Good advice, though.(-:
johnss
571 posts
 
Check the speed with a stobe.
If the platter is slow, look for a loose pulley on the motor shaft. I would bet its slipping on the shaft so a small degree giving you your slow speed.
reb1208
518 posts
 
Speed has to be checked when a record is playing while the stylus is in the groove. Checking with a strobe disc without the drag of the stylus is not accurate. You will set your rpm too high. Use the strobe disc to get you in the ballpark. Then fine tune by ear, synchronizing to your cd player playing the same title. Also make sure your analog rig is warmed up, let it run awhile before checking. Yeah, I know, I think differently than the herd. But then again, I'm a pretty smart guy.
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