Turntable speed accuracy

Hi Ct0517,

I really did not pay attention, the owner said it showed dead on and that's what I was going by and when the TimeLine was placed on showed ii was off. The spindle of his table is approx 20 from the wall.

Hi Lewm,

thanks for that info. in relation to the Lenco, don't you think it's strange that a well known source who is selling these replied by saying they are close and not as you did saying it can be set to be spot on? Personally I thought this to be odd, I was inquiring about purchasing from them to have another table and one of my questions. I asked are you familiar with the Sutherland TimeLine and if I were to use mine on your table would it show to be spot on for accuracy playing a record at both speaads?

Dear Dev, Your question was: "don't you think it's strange that a well known source who is selling these replied by saying they are close and not as you did saying it can be set to be spot on?" To that, my answer has to be "yes, I think it is strange". Perhaps the responder did not wish to guarantee that his Lenco would be "spot on" in the presence of stylus drag, but there is no doubt that the speed can be adjusted finely via setting the idler wheel position in relation to the length of the tapered drive shaft. If you take a look at photos of the drive system probably available on Lenco Heaven, you will see in a moment what I am talking about. It might be a pain in the arse but it can be done. Moreover, a generic motor controller like the Walker or the SDS could be used to make up for any slight error above or below exact speed. So, I am with you on that.

Hi Lewm,

Thanks for the reply but if I'm paying top dollar for one I don't feel that I should be the one worrying about this as it should be provided being spot on from the get go.

So really what you are saying is using a generic motor controller such as the Walker or SDS motor controller is to correct the actual speed incurracy.

So this makes sense to me that this well known seller is just being honest and saying they do not offer spot on speed accuracy and your info. above confirms such.

Dear Halcro: A friend of mine brought his Timeline with him at my place two-trhee days ago and we made some tests in my Denon DP75 and both Acoustic Signature's.

We found out that DP-75 was and is right on target but the AS were off even that through a strobe showed were fine. So I dialed through the Timeline, something that's very simple task on the AS motor controler through trimpots. We tested with and with out cartridge playback and things were the same: non detected speed fluctuation because stylus drag ( two on the Denon. )

Before the test I was a little " worried " about the Denon becuase has no external pitch control as the DP-80, fortunately runs splendid.

Now, through the AS and before we aligned with the Timeline we heard three specific tracks : before and after correction and we were unaware to hear differences even that we " want " it and looking for.

Seems to me that depend how wide the speed is off we can or we can't hear differences and obviously depend on our skills/knowledge and system.

Btw, as Lewm posted every TT has a speed controler by design because is the way the TT speed was set up from factory. The DP-75 certainly has it internally as the Technics ones and every other TT.

Yes, I agree with some of you that posted that the primary target on a TT design is speed accuracy and speed stability, with out these there is no TT.

No, I don't think, for that price, that the Timeline is a must to have especially because with the AS we can't detect any differences but as you in other TT set ups things could be different and the Timeline is a necessary tool. Good trained ears and high knowledge audio/music level can tell you the whole " history " maybe better than the Timeline.

Anyway, worth those experiences I had.

Regards and enjoy the music,
R.

Dear Raul,
It's good to get your feedback.
It appears that your Acoustic Signature keeps consistent speed (without any stylus drag).......so I agree with you wholeheartedly that absolutely correct speed as in 33.3333rpm is not essential.
And if you read some previous posts.....you will see that is discussed at some length?
It's interesting to read that your Denon is 'spot-on'......as so far.......it seems from anecdotal evidence on this thread.......direct drives are the only ones which consistently can make this claim?

I also agree with you...that well trained ears are our best tools :^)
Cheers
Henry