Turntable speed accuracy

While I was visiting Syntax last month, he checked the speed stability of his machine. The laser from the Timeline was spot-on and did not waiver...his well-tuned Micro Seiki RX-5000/RY-5500 was simply steady and consistent.

Albert, you may have already mentioned the reason, if so, I apologize for bringingtip the question again...why do you think that the NVS was not up to task? Since you are not having issues with your fabulously-modified Technics Mk 3, great; why do think you maybe having instability with the NVS? It appears that is not an issue with the quality of the mains being presented to the motor controller; otherwise, I guess that Technics Mk
3 would also have an issue...what do you think could be the issue with the NVS?

Cheers!
Alan

Albert - excellent, thoughtful response. You may now don your asbestos suit! ; - )

I think you make a couple of excellent points; namely that speed precision AND accuracy are both important. IME, individuals vary in their sensitivity to one versus the other. I also agree that while speed parameters are obviously important to turntable performance, other characteristics contribute to the overall turntable quality including immunity from internally and externally generated noise/vibration.

Dear Henry, I guess I have been too lazy to check the Kenwood L07D with Timeline so far. However, my neighbor's Timeline is still sitting around my listening room, and I will do it today, sans LP and sans stylus drag. If there is a consistent error up or down, that would not concern me, because speed is adjustable within the outboard PS. (The L07D does not provide user accessible fine tuning, as does the Technics Mk3 and the Denon DP80,) I had two L07D's until recently and was using one heavily whilst the other was being "refreshed" by Howard Stearn (the L07D guru who is also an orthopedic surgeon, not the shock jock on radio). Howard did a fabulous job on my first one, so I trust him to have done similar work on my second. (I bought the second so as to get the original Kenwood accessory record weight and platter ring that go with the L07D and because it was in mint condition.) Anyway, I sold the first one and have not yet got the arm mounted on the second one, because I want to re-wire it. This is why I am in between L07Ds. With the Lenco and the Mk3 in full service, I hardly feel the screaming need for a 3rd table. The L07D was far and away my favorite table before I had the Mk3 up and running.

Albert, EMI picked up by the cartridge from the L07D motor was rumored to be an issue. It seemed improbable to me, because the platter and mat constitute two solid slabs of stainless steel which ought to afford some decent shielding. Nevertheless, I made an LP-size shield out of "TI Shield" (Texas Instruments), the best shield around for a combo of EMI and RFI, and I inserted it over the spindle and in between the platter and platter mat. This actually did result in a noticeable but small increase in transparency even though I heard no "noise" per se prior to installing it. The Mk3 ought not to have any issues in this area, because its thick brass and SS platter is an even better natural shield than is that of the L07D.

Was invited to have a listen to 2 audio systems and did bring the Timeline with me just to see how other tables faired. The first was a modified Technics SP10 MKII (I believe) with the plinth from Albert Porter and the Timeline did not waiver one bit. The other was an SME10 and here the Timeline showed the table running fast, unfortunatelty we the SME does not have pots to adjust the speed. Could we hear this effect on the SME? There were 4 of us listening and to be honest no but it would have been nice if we could have adjusted the speed to be dead on and then hear what we thought.
Just some more data points for all to think about.

Unoear ask:

why do you think that the NVS was not up to task? ... It appears that is not an issue with the quality of the mains being presented to the motor controller; otherwise, I guess that Technics Mk3 would also have an issue...what do you think could be the issue with the NVS?

So far no turntable has passed the test as I conducted it, except the MK3. The NVS was up to the task as the rest.

Have you checked your DD Rockport?

I have a huge bias in favor of that table. I wish to know if it's as rock solid as I imagine it to be.