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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
sksos1
387 posts
 
Got a Brinkmann Bardo in to test drive and upon first listen the pitch of the piano was off, attacks were not sharp, so checking the speed with the Timeline showed it running a tad slow. It's easy to adjust and within 3 minutes had it spot on. This is how a turntable should be, doesn't seem that hard to get it right.
(Dealer disclaimer but not a dealer for Brinkmann..........yet!)
ack's avatar
ack
115 posts
 
The KAB strobe disc is an approximation - a good one, though - and that can be easily proven... I place it on top of a test record, lower the cartridge (to include stylus drag) then set the speed with it.

Then, using a very accurate voltage and frequency meter like a Fluke, I put on a 1kHz tone on the CD player and measure the frequency - dead on 1kHz; this measures the instrument's accuracy. Switch back to the test LP with a 1kHz tone at 33.33rpm and the meter shows (naturally) some variations of about 1/1000, but clearly the center frequency isn't 1000 Hz. I usually have to lower the speed (in this case a VPI SDS).

Then I switch the speed to 45rpm and the meter should now read 1350Hz - yeap it does. The KAB shows I am going slow, but I know my speed is accurate.

I think the Timeline would be just as accurate, but why spend $900 when I can just measure a test frequency.
hiho
451 posts
 

Stop all these turntable tests, for now, on speed accuracy and enjoy the Super Bowl! Enjoy the food!

_______
pcosta
241 posts
 
Ack

Are you confident the test record is accurate to 1000 Hz. The test record could have been cut wrong from the beginning. How do we know the lathe was correct?
lewm
13,014 posts
 
Ack, I think your approach is a good one. Find independent ways to measure tt speed and compare them. But I think it is "dangerous" in the logic sense to assume that your particular alternative method is the gold standard. It's more data of a different sort, but we don't know whether it's superior to other methods. Timeline is $400, not $900, BTW. The price is high at $400 but would be truly ridiculous at $900.

Hiho, Super Bowl is over, stuffed myself on chili and beer and corn bread. The lowly Redskins (my local team) beat the new SB Champs twice this year. Strange, indeed.
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