Turntable speed accuracy


There is another thread (about the NVS table) which has a subordinate discussion about turntable speed accuracy and different methods of checking. Some suggest using the Timeline laser, others use a strobe disk.

I assume everyone agrees that speed accuracy is of utmost importance. What is the best way to verify results? What is the most speed-accurate drive method? And is speed accuracy really the most important consideration for proper turntable design or are there some compromises with certain drive types that make others still viable?
peterayer

Dover, that was funny. :-D

The thread "TTWeights table and Timeline accuracy" is mysteriously closed but at least we still have this thread to talk about speed issue. I don't want to stir up the pot and point fingers at certain brands but I still enjoy discussing speed issues in turntable designs.

We are still waiting for Lew to report back on his Timeline experience. :)

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I have just fitted a thread drive to replace the rubber belt on the Raven AC-2 (thank you Daniel for the Bavarian thread)........and apart from the increased accuracy in speed constancy over the original rubber.......the actual improvement in sound is astonishing?
The bass appears to have added a half octave in depth, the clarity and dynamics have improved and the sense of excitement and realism on every track is palpable.
Is there more to this than speed consistency?

Incidentally......I had to reset the speed on the Raven motor controller because of the differences in force transfer between the rubber and the thread and I used the KAB Strobe initially to find the 'ball-park' setting.
I then set the 'correct' speed using the Timeline and the adjustments to the controller were quite severe. I'm not talking fine adjustment here.........it required about 7 or 8 presses of the 'faster' button to reach 'correct' speed over that settled by the KAB.This is rather a serious indictment of the KAB which simply cannot be correct?
I don't know if it's just my strobe or whether this is endemic to the functioning of the KAB?
I know that the Timeline is exact as it agrees 100% with the speed indication on my Victor TT-101 DD turntable which is quartz locked.
So the question to those relying on the KAB or other versions of a strobe to set the speed of their turntables........you may wrongly believe your speed is correct.
And to those who state that it doesn't matter......how do you know when you haven't heard?
I'm sure because TTWeights places many ads here on Agon they had a BIG say in why the thread was closed. My own search for a table that has spot on accuracy still continues......