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Rega reference belt disappointment

My RP3 is about 11 to 12 years old and has the original belt and I thought it might be time to replace it. I figured I would get the Reference EBLT belt, and why not? Rega’s site shows how much better it is with respect to wow and flutter, right?

The disappointment comes from testing both old and new with my phone RPM APP. 
The old belt has a WOW of around plus or minus 0.08 %. The new “Reference” belt shoots up to plus or minus 0.27%

Ok the App may not be the most accurate with respect to the actual value displayed but the repeatability would suggest the new belt is worse than the old. So what the hell, Rega? I will give it a few more hours to see if it settles in but so far I’m disappointed.

I tried to post my pic’s of the app results but couldn’t figure out how.

 

neversatisfied
neversatisfied OP
88 posts
 

So I’m not asking about longevity (amoral? We all know that destroys rubber), it’s just the wow is higher. Just trying to stick to the original point for simplicity.

RPM is spot on, only the wow percentage is higher.

I did mention that these old ears don’t hear a difference anyway.

Sub platter is a GrooveTracer Deluxe model. It’s been on the table for years

slaw's avatar
slaw
22,842 posts
 

ArmorAll is mostly water I believe. I wouldn't use it on a tt belt.

neversatisfied OP
88 posts
 

I often read that Armorall should not even be used on car tires. So what does that say?

slaw's avatar
slaw
22,842 posts
 

@neversatisfied 

Try, Origin Live for a new belt. I've used them on my Rock 7 and VPI for years.

viridian's avatar
viridian
5,229 posts
 

That is a disturbing result. Did you clean the entire belt path, pulley and circumference of sub platter, with pure alcohol when replacing the belt?

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