2. analog
  3. 1217621030

Measure My Turntable Speed

I've been told that a very accurate way to measure the speed of a turntable is by using a test meter set to khz, placing the positive terminal into one of the outputs of the phono stage (or tape output), the other to the ground and then play a 1000hz test track of our a good quality test record... If the table speed is good, the reading should be very close to 1khz...

Ever tried this one?
stickman451

Showing 2 responses by magfan

magfan
1,583 posts
 
I made my own strobe for pocket change, when I was making 3$/hr as a kid.

Used an NE-2 / socket and diode. changes AC to half wave and pulses the neon bulb on/off. Perfect 60hz. I scavanged a cord/plug from something and used a plastic tube for a mount. No exposed AC and worked fine. My TT at the time had 'barcode' circling the spindle for 45/33rpm at 50 or 60hz.

90$ for a strobe? nutty.
magfan
1,583 posts
 
I had another idea.
Test tone CD and a test tone record.

Play them both, switch between them as you adjust TT speed until no pitch change between them.

If you have 2 systems available, you could even 'beat' the frequencies generated and get very close to perfect. Using that method you could even do drift checks.

Does anyone have any problem with CD pitch accuracy or repeatability?
Are there any speed variable CD players?
More to discover