Very interesting thread Peter. Thanks for getting it going. I'll volunteer my Grand Prix Monaco to be a test subject, as soon as I can barrow Albert's timeline...
The Grand Prix claims highly accurate speed control (from their web site):
"DSP Signal Processing / Active Feedback Loop Technology:
Our speed control features a CPU utilizing a Digital Signal Processor that interrogates and maintains the speed of the platter thousands of times each revolution and thereby ensures frequency accuracy and distortion free playback that is simply not possible with conventional types of drive systems. A highly accurate test procedure has demonstrated the speed error to be an extremely low .002%! Speed accuracy equals frequency accuracy, which means there is virtually no distortion on playback."
Peter, one thought on your SME, have you ever cleaned the motor pulley (and sub platter) and then flipped the belt over? I used to do this with my SME 20/2 every 9-12 months and it did seem to sound better...(that is unless you used a new belt for the test)...then I'd replace the belt every 18-24 months...
The Grand Prix claims highly accurate speed control (from their web site):
"DSP Signal Processing / Active Feedback Loop Technology:
Our speed control features a CPU utilizing a Digital Signal Processor that interrogates and maintains the speed of the platter thousands of times each revolution and thereby ensures frequency accuracy and distortion free playback that is simply not possible with conventional types of drive systems. A highly accurate test procedure has demonstrated the speed error to be an extremely low .002%! Speed accuracy equals frequency accuracy, which means there is virtually no distortion on playback."
Peter, one thought on your SME, have you ever cleaned the motor pulley (and sub platter) and then flipped the belt over? I used to do this with my SME 20/2 every 9-12 months and it did seem to sound better...(that is unless you used a new belt for the test)...then I'd replace the belt every 18-24 months...