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Speed Stability

I have been fretting about the speed of my vpi for about a week now. I do not have a test LP or a strobe mat but I feel that if there is a speed issue. I am hearing the pitch fluctuate up and down on notes that are held out. I have compared some recordings to a CD version and have gotten mixed results. For instance:

On the first track of John Coltrane Quartet Ballads, I noticed that the ending note on the the first track tended to sway like an old VHS tape compared to the solid pitch of the CD version.

a first pressing of Dark side of the moon compared to my anniversary CD copy resulted in no significant changes in pitch that I could hear.

I guess what Im trying to get at is could that be a issue with the speed of the pressing itself, or could it be that some records show off a problem with my rig more than others. I hope it hasnt just started to be a thing thats just in my head. I think my next step is to take the Coltrane over to my fathers direct drive technics and see if the pitch continues to sway or not.

I would appreciate any input on the situation. Thanks

Darren
macd
halcro's avatar
halcro
2,664 posts
 
Thanks Doug.

Your report and descriptions are clear, concise and invaluable for those of us who aren't fortunate enough to have attended.

Regards
Henry
hifimaniac
508 posts
 
Macd, the SDS was a great upgrade when I had the VPI table. It truly allows you to lock in the speed and forget it. Getting the speed right gets the pitch and pace of the music correct. Having said that, I did check the speed every month or so because belts do stretch and change a little but I never had to adjust too much. The SDS also is an AC filter so it probably helped to lower the noise floor. I recently purchased the Continuum Criterion and I can honestly say I have never heard better speed stability and rock solid soundstaging from any other turntable I've listened to except the Caliburn, Continuum's top model. It must be heard; built like a tank and the sound amazing.
aoliviero
269 posts
 
Thanks Doug,

Yes I remember that lesson! We won't go there :)

I think you bring some valuable information based on your observations since your listening was primarily focused on trying to assess the capability in "timing" of the music which is mainly driven by the speed stability of a TT. Often times people are eluding to this. But it is good to see you focused on this.

I'm a Vivaldi fan and have quite a few records. I wonder if I have the one you're referring to. Can you provide info?

FYI, my latest projects are: waiting for the Mint LP, designing and building a very inexpensive spring-on-mass isolation platform using compression springs and granite, trying the Ortofon MC A90, then going back and comparing the Triplanar and Graham with both cartridges after the set up is at it's optimum. Will keep you informed.

Andrew
flyfish2002's avatar
flyfish2002
94 posts
 
KAB speed strobe + SDS = excellent speed stability in my system (TNT).
dougdeacon
3,338 posts
 
Andrew,

Here's a link to that LP (don't know anything about this seller, just an an example).

One of our nicer sets is a massive Erato box containing all of Vivaldi's opus-numbered sonatas and concertos, from I-XII, with I Solisti Veneti/Claudio Scimone. That's 30 sonatas and 86 concerti if anyone's counting. 20 of the 24 LP's are superb. Four were recorded in a different venue by a different engineer who screwed up the miking, but it's still a great set. Vivaldi by Venetians!

Another good test of TT speed stability is the depth and length of soundfield decays. Most Erato recordings of I Solisti Veneti were made in cathedrals or other large venues, with massive soundstages and near-endless decay periods. This very low level info is easily muddied or smothered by many system errors, including TT speed instabilities.

Apologies to Darren for wandering around your thread. Hope some of this is useful.
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