2. analog
  3. 1058699691

How much does rock-solid speed stability cost?

I've been shopping for a new turntable and have found out I am very sensitive to speed variations. I listened to several belt driven tables and couldn't find one I could tolerate (Man, the P3 was bad). I thought the Nottingham Spacedeck was going to work, but after a second listen, it started to bug me also. So I had a bright idea - why don't I get an SL1200 from Crutchfield. It's supposed to be very stable. If I don't like it I can return it.

Well, crap! It's just as bad as the others. Average speed is fine, but it's sharp, then flat, then sharp ... Anything with a pure tone like piano, french horn, or flugelhorn has audible flutter. I have a hard time finding ANY recording that doesn't do this.

I guess almost 20 years of listening to nothing but CDs has ruined me. My big question to y'all is...Is this just the way analog is, and it's probably not for me? Or, can spending more money fix the problem? I only have about 200 records, most collected from mid '70s through early '80s. I really can't justify spending more than $2000 on a turntable and arm. I haven't heard the VPI Scout or the Basis 1400. Will they do the trick, or does it cost a lot more to get the level of performance I need?
nighthawk

Showing 1 response by dan_ed

dan_ed
2,451 posts
 
Nighthawk,

I also use the v15vxmr and have noticed the difference the tracking force can make when using the stabilizer. I could be way off, but I think of it much like the loading of the suspension on a car. I think of the little brush as a spring. If the tracking force is light, as shure recommends, there is less loading on the stabilizer and it's "shock absorbtion" is slower to react or has a greater distance to move, however you want to look at it, but the effect is that some of the load is taken off the cantelever. When we set the VTF higher we have forced the loading on the stabilizer and also the cantelever so the whole mechanism is quicker to react and get back down in the groove because it doesn't move as far vertically. BTW, I also notice more sibilance with the lighter VTF.

In anycase, I agree that it does sound better with the stabilizer in place and with the higher VTF.
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