Turn table speed variation question

Fleib, we could go much much more in-depth with some of these topics and so far only the surface has been scratched here. But, you are correct in that it's probably "Enough of this for now". If there is further interest on your, or anyone else's, part I would be glad to delve deeper into this. I would simply say that if you are interested you research the prices that vintage flutes and saxophones fetch compared to new ones; there is a reason for this and it has nothing to do with collectors. Anyway, the main reason that I feel any of this is relevant to our audio hobby is as a reminder of just how deep some of this stuff runs, and that at the end of the day all our audiophillic endeavors relate back to the MUSIC, and what takes place in the the process of music making. There are many parallels between what an audiophile concerns himself with and what a musician does. There is a tendency to want the new and the more technologically advanced to be "better", and to rely on technology to exlain most of what we hear. I believe that there is an unavoidable (at least to a degree) conflict between what the essence of music is and some of what technology brings to the table. To recognize this is not being a Luddite or anything of the sort; it's simply respecting the fact that, ultimately, what separates music from simply sound, the emotion, can't be broken down to nor fully explained by numbers.

****I always thought perfect pitch was something one had to be born with, to possess, and ear training was limited to relative pitch. Turns out, perfect pitch can be learned.****

Precisely one of the reasons for my comment about it not being an indication of superior musicianship, since a lot of these things are often shrouded in mystery and many feel that perfect pitch is an indication of musical genius of some kind.

Happy New Year!

No analog Lp recording is perfect as far as speed variation.

Nothing to lose sleep over, and can not be totally eliminated, even with the most well designed Lp playback system.

IMO not an listening issue with well designed Lp playback.

If you want perfect speed use digital!

"Perfect" speed from a turntable insures that any error on a record isn't compounded.
Regards,

Good answer Fleib....

No analog Lp recording is perfect as far as speed variation.

Nothing in audio IS perfect......
Just because our speakers aren't 'perfect'....does that excuse us from trying to create a 'better' amplifier?

Providing a platform for the record and turning at the correct speed is the basic function of a table, what it is designed to do. There may be other considerations like immunity to feedback or transmission of vibrations, but spinning at speed is the #1 priority.

Why is it that belt drive fanciers and direct drive fans seem diametrically opposed? Until you get up to very expensive decks, they have different strengths and weaknesses. After you get used to a table you like, that sound becomes your frame of reference, and other tables with different strengths sound wrong. It's not until you recognize a clearly superior table that those barriers might break down.

Why were all the high end tables after the '80s belt drive? The Japanese stopped making direct drive motors. Virtually all the "statement" Japanese decks were direct drive. It's easier to make a belt driver. It's not so easy to make a really good one. So the manufacturers and salespeople told you about benefits of driving a heavy platter with a string and low torque motor. Hear the depth and authority and don't mention the lack of timing and pace. There's a critical relationship between torque and platter mass for all types.

Regardless of cartridge and arm, the way the table spins and all that implies, defines the basic sound of a record player and is the most important part. I think Peterayer and Halcro are doing a great thing for the community, and I applaud their efforts. Maybe nothing is perfect, but you can sure hear the difference with a great table.
Regards,