@neversatisfied
US Distributor for Rega:
The Sound Organization
soundorg.com
Always responsive and helpful, in my experience.
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.
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- 32 posts total
The belt drive system adds another layer of "settling" time. The belt itself needs to stretch and adjust to the platter and sub-platter as the turntable starts. Yes, a rubber band needs to settle. Bring on the naysayers! ;) Yes, Rega turntables, particularly the Planar series, can take a bit of time to settle into their speed after the belt is engaged. This is normal and often attributed to the design of the low-torque motor and the nature of the belt drive system.
Hooke's Law states that the force required to stretch or compress a spring (or a material exhibiting elastic behavior) is proportional to the displacement. However, rubber bands don't perfectly adhere to this law. While they initially exhibit a linear relationship between force and extension, this linearity breaks down as the rubber band is stretched further. Rega belts are tested: Yes, Rega drive belts, including the Reference EBLT, are extensively tested to ensure accuracy and consistency. The Reference EBLT is molded on custom tooling, cryogenically frozen, and barreled to remove flash, resulting in a cross-sectional roundness of 0.075%. This process guarantees the highest achievable level of accuracy. |
Here's the contact info with phone I have spoken with them several times and alway patient and helpful. I am embarrassed that I cannot remember his name or home country but one of the main gentlemen there has an accent and is so knowledgeable. Even though you moved on, I encourage you to relay your experience to them for insight. Soundorg (North American distributor) |
- 32 posts total