I have to say, this thread has been a good learning experience for me. Other than changing my phono cartridge now and then and doing basic maintainence on my tt, such as belt change and bearing lube, I have just listened to my records on occasion. Over the years I set my platter speed by the supplied strobodisc and flourescent light and called it good. But over this past month here is what I have learned. First, I learned that my speed was low by a couple of percent. I was able to dial in my speed exact by using the 3150Hz test tone on an old test record that I had and the iPhone app. That app is a very useful tool. Interestingly, with the speed dialed in dead on now, the strobodisc still shows a stable pattern. So the strobodisc/flourescent light method is not very accurate, ie. >2%. Second, not only has the rhythm and timing of the music changed, but the bass is tighter, the attack stronger. I noticed this playing a couple of old records that I have listened to many times over the years. The timing was so different from what I was used to that I had to go back and double check the speed setting again. Now I have to listen to all of my records all over again at the correct speed. Good thing I am still young. I conclude based on what I have learned that speed setting is as at least as important as speed control. In fact, I am wondering now if the differences heard with respect to rhythm and timing are really based on the speed setting of a tt more than Wow and Flutter- ie. if Wow and Flutter are less than 0.03% or so.
