A Few Turntable Measurements using the RPM Android App
I found this Android phone app for TT rotation. Phone is Pixel 4a. Thought I'd try this app out. I'm skeptical of these phone apps. Accuracy is always an issue.
I have four tables. I took 5 readings for the first table in order to see what the repeatability is. The "absolute" RPM, RPM peak to peak, and 2 sigma range readings were very, very repeatable. Consequtive RPM readings differed by a max of 0.01 RPM. Two sigma varied by 0.01% ( 2 sigma means that 86% of the readings were within the stated value). I personally would use 3 sigma, but that's a personal quibble.
I've measured all four of my tables. I am very certain that the results are very repeatable. I measured with no LP, LP rotating, LP on and Stylus engaged, and phone offset from center. RPM was the same for all cases, The 2 sigma showed a 0.01% rise (really small). The reading at the edge of the LP was different. And scary to do!
Here's the results:
1. DD-40 #1, RPM = 33.32, 2 sigma = 0.07% (63 dB)
2. DD-40 #2, RPM = 33.27, 2 sigma = 0.09% (61 dB)
3. Acoustic Signature WOW XXL, RPM = 33.17, 2 sigma = 0.10% (60 dB). This varied 0.02% from reading to reading (after running the table for 10 minutes, this noise diminishes), but the 2 sigma stayed the same.
4. Denon DP-57L, RPM = 33.25, 2 sigma = 0.02% (74 dB).
I then went back to DD-40 #1. Using the RPM app, I set the mean speed to be 33.25. The strobe on the table was slowly moving! I checked against the strobe on the Cardas test LP and yes, the RPM speed accuracy was wrong. I reset TT speed using the strobe. The RPM app measured 33.23 again. I must conclude that although the RPM app is very repeatable, the absolute accuracy is not. The wow result (2 sigma variation) remains the same.
I measured the 45 RPM on DD-40 #1. RPM = 44.91, 2 sigma = 0.05%, so the 45 RPM is fairly accurate and the 2 sigma is lower.
This app makes no distinction between wow and flutter. It's all reported in the wow reading (wow and flutter are the same thing by nature, the only difference is the frequency range).
I'm surprised by the poor performance of the WOW XXL table. This a modern, belt driven table, with a massive platter. It is 5 years old. There's no way for the user to adjust the RPM. The variation in the speed is similar or slightly higher than the 40+ years old Micro Seiki DD-40 tables, which don't have crystal oscillator driven speed control. The WOW XXL takes about 10 minutes before the very high frequency variations settle. Now, I don't know much about the internal workings of the app. Helpful would be better accuracy (or the AC frequency in my house is not 60 Hz). Bandwidth is not reported.
The DP-57L performance is outstanding!. This TT was made in the 80s. And the DD-40 tables are not bad, but are as good as or better than the WOW XXL.
In summary, in my opinion, the RPM Android App is very useful. The absolute accuracy is a bit off, but the repeatability is very good The wow measurement is also quite good.
Hmmm terry, 45 kg is ...... like only 99 pounds, not even a hundred. Watt? 1.8?
Wow. So on my Music Hall with the I think like a DC synch 4 watt motor I can do a 90 kg platter. That's a lot of 4 oz fishing weights I have to glue on. I better get going to the bait and tackle store to improve my stereo. |
@mijostyn The belt is brand new. Just put it on about a month ago. The old belt had stretched. The measurements I reported using the RPM app were done with the new belt. I was shocked by the poorer performance of the WOW. Acoustic Signature does not publish specs for speed stability, wow, flutter and rumble. Seems that AS relies on the marketing of their special spindle material, the huge platter and the brass inserts to impress buyers. Must be good performance with all those buzz words, right. A simple measurement shows the difficulty of relying on bling rather than real measured performance. I was fooled. I bought it. One of my biggest audio gear mistakes. Won't happen again. |
@brev Yah, it is fun making these measurements. I wish that the developer would publish his/her methodology. For example, what algorithm is used for the WOW calculation? Is it one of the standards? I don't think we'll find out any time soon. Apps are usually closely guarded secrets. But he/she could indicate which standard he/she is following, if any. Without this knowledge, it is impossible to compare RPM results to manufacturers' published performance.But relative performance between tables is valid. |
Dear @kevemaher : As you I bougth my units at blind on specs and were ( two units ) coming from an audiophile that I respect, so second hand at very good price: 2 top of the line ( in those times. ) TTs with 3 outboard motors and one motyor controler that I had to modify to choose between one TT or the other and till today I have not a single issue with those AS and the " belts " I use are simple silk thread amnd yes I have to push-start. In reality a critical issue with my model TTs was that came with no kind of damping footers so what I did it is to put 3 AT-616 pneumatic Audio Technica footers and a top these footers goes a centered an inverted aluminum tip-toes that for me makes very good job.
Here you can read some real time measurements in one of AS today model:
R. |
