Turnable database with TimeLine

While I agree that it would be best for every test to use the same LP, this is likely an unrealistic requirement since it presupposes that every tester has this disc.
Futher " The sum total of the error at the end of the test would be truely comparable between turntables"
This would not necessarily be an informative result.
Say a TT that isn't speed stable, which has adjustment is set for correct speed at moderate groove modulation. When playing heavy grooves it may under speed when playing light grooves it may over speed. The average speed over the test could be correct with the laser back on its starting point at the end, apparently passing the test.
The no load followed by some, ideally standard, heavy grooves is an arduous test. If it passes this it is likely that it would pass real world playback.
This provided the laser is observed under no load conditions and this is the control, (TT adjusted if possible, necessary, to zero drift)
Also if a TT passes this test it would be reasonable to assume that it would be ok with light grooves.
But, as I implied with the Goldmund comments, we are not seeing how the TT performs at a note by note level.

01-10-14: Lewm
It was very unfair of you to indirectly accuse Richard Krebs of plagiarizing Moncrief

Lewm, if you read my post correctly I said

Halcro
You have mistakenly attributed the following quote to Richardkrebs.

We may have a different interpretation of the english language, but I do not equate "mistakenly attributed" to mean "plagiarised". Do you not agree that one should acknowledge the correct source if one lifts several paragraphs directly from an article written by someone else - word for word ?

Halcro

01-10-14: Halcro
Dover,
You seem to be full of suggestions for how people should submit their tests....yet you have not posted a single video of your 'famous' Final Parthenon performing with the Timeline in any fashion whatsoever?
Up till now....my videos and that of the Fat Bob turntable used in the Timeline promotion on YouTube....are the only ones to my knowledge which demonstrate the reaction of the Timeline with the cartridge both playing the record and being dropped and/or lifted from the record.

Halcro - Did you miss the knuckle test I posted.
knuckletest

Regard the suggestions - the methodology of your Timeline test is flawed.
My proposal is for a more accurate and meaningful test that would provide consistant parameters under which all turntables can be evaluated.

01-10-14: Dover
Proposed Test Procedure

In terms of Richardkrebs suggested testing procedure – stylus off and on: this is not is not a valid test. What we are wanting to quantify is the variation in stylus drag between a heavily modulated record groove and lightly modulated record groove. The test that Richardkrebs proposes compares no stylus drag to some undefined recording. This is unscientific as it lacks a control recording to standardise the test. The results will be random and the conclusions meaningless.

An accurate test procedure would be to agree on a specific record and tracks to be played. The record should contain a variety of tracks in terms of modulation. Then each person should play those tracks continuously from beginning to end. The sum total of the error at the end of this test will be truly comparable between turntables. As Tonywinsc suggested a meaningful sample would be 10 minutes, by which time any stylus drag error if it is significant would become apparent.

The no load followed by some, ideally standard, heavy grooves is an arduous test. If it passes this it is likely that it would pass real world playback.

I agree.....
I thought this would be obvious to anyone familiar with the principles involved?

Halcro, I agree the test record has an eccentric hole, as do most music records, so the variation in speed from the effects of warps or eccentricity is there on all records to some degree, do you think this makes a mockery of perfect rotational speed? Perhaps Nakamichi was onto something with their record centring mechanism. I have posted screen shots of the Feickert test on the TS 700 with and without centring, and it makes a considerable difference! I suspect the variations detected by the test tone +- 2 Hz at 3150Hz, would be undetectable with the time line. Did Nakamichi make the "best" TT of all time?:)