2. analog
  3. 1099853600

Should the platter and plinth be level?

Greetings all -

I've always made sure the plinth on my Rega P5 is level using a carpenters "bulls-eye" level. On a whim the other day I popped the level up onto to the platter and was amazed that it did not show it to be level. When I move it down to the plinth - it's showing level.

Don't misunderstand me - it's not a dramatic amount and if I eye-ball the platter and subplatter in relation to the plinth it all looks to be fairly level.

Should I be concerned that the platter is not rotating exactly level to the plinth? Should I adjust everything so that the platter is level and not worry about the plinth being level? I've checked speed, etc. - and everything's working smoothly without any problems so I suppose I shouldn't be worried about it but can't help thinking it's a bit odd.

Any input would be appreciated - I'd also REALLY appreciate anyone owning a P5 or P25 if they wouldn't mind checking to see if the same anomoly exists on their tables - maybe it's just the way it's designed and assembled.
slate1
sidssp
1,077 posts
 
Slate,

The RB-700 is a bearing arm, which requires a leveled pinch (actually the arm board). Otherwise, the arm will put more pressure towards the lower side.

On the other hand, a unipivoted arm (i.e. VPI JMW) is self-leveled which requires a leveled platter to maintain correct angular relationship with the record.
dr_balance
16 posts
 
My J.A michell Tecnodec does also the same thing. The platter is level but the base is not. I don't let it bother me. The small difference is nothing and can be compensated through tonearm adjustment like DAN_ED suggested above.
slate1 OP
82 posts
 
Sidssp - this is the most logical response I've gotten yet. So I should just get the plinth (and hence the armboard since it's bolted directly to the plinth) level and not worry about it. It's pretty much sitting at a happy medium between the two now after I adjusted a few things.

Dr_balance & Dan_ed - the problem with these Rega arms is that there are NO adjustments. Don't get me wrong, the RB-700 is one of the finest arms I've ever experienced but you can not adjust a single thing other than tracking weight and anti-skate.
More to discover