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variance of +/- 10 Hz with 1 kHz test tone

I tried the Dr. Feickert Speed Tests iPhone app. I don't have his test record for the 3150 Hz track and the app says that you can use a 1000 Hz tone. I have a 1000 Hz tone from the Clearaudio sweep / burn-in record and tried that with the iPhone app running and showing microphone input on the meter. The app registered nothing. Has anyone else been able to get his iPhone app to work with a 1000 Hz tone? Are there any known problems with this app on iOS 7?

I used another iPhone app "Tuner Lite" and it showed my table to average right on for a F# 5 with the tuner set to concert A 440 Hz using the 1000 Hz tone. The Tuner Lite meter did fluctuate between the sharp and flat side (again within the two inner arrows, about +/- 10 Hz and were equidistant on both the flat and sharp side) during even time slices / cycles. Is this wow? Flutter? Good, bad or indifferent? Hole off center on test record? Strobe 33.3 reading looks to be dead on using the same Clearaudio disk with stylus on the record.

Phono setup is:
RP6 with GT ref subplatter and TTPSU
Herbie Mat Way Excellent II-2mm
Audio-Technica AT-33PTG/II 0.3mV MC
Salience / Jasmine LP2.0 mkII

Thanks,

Scott
sbrownnw
sbrownnw OP
686 posts
 
Some interesting reading here:

http://www.vinylengine.com/turntable_forum/viewtopic.php?f=32&t=65143

I still think i will be sending back my TTPSU for verification of settings to spec...
sbrownnw OP
686 posts
 
Ok, did some more tests today. Found some more things about the iphone app and the differences between the Rega white and black belts.

First, the iphone app. Sometimes if you let the test tone run out to the end of the record or lift the needle while the app is running it can cause a large frequency spike or dip, which throws off your overall numbers. I think this is why my numbers were weird (thanks @Tonywinsc for noting this) showing the table running a little fast but the negative deviation being the largest, which didn't make sense. All the graphs for these weird numbers showed a large dip at the end of the measurement session. Since there is no stop measurement button on the app, I've found changing the preamp input is the best way to stop the app without any spike or dip.

So, with the white belt and changing the input source on the preamp after a good sample duration, I got the following numbers:

overall freq: 1001.8 Hz

filtered deviation:
-0.02% / +0.08%
-0.2 Hz / +0.8 Hz

And with the black belt today, I got:

overall freq: 1000.6 Hz

filtered deviation:
-0.02% / +0.03%
-0.2 Hz / +0.3 Hz

So, after reading about other experiencing larger deviations with the white belt, it seems I am seeing the same thing plus it makes the table run faster.

I'm keeping the black belt on for now. I have a $20 red belt on order from the UK after reading good things about it. Will post those test results when I get it.

Anyone want to buy a Rega white belt with not many hours on it (about 6 months of average play)? ;)
tonywinsc
583 posts
 
Those numbers with the black belt look real good now. Could you hear a difference in the music with the white belt vs. the black belt?
sbrownnw OP
686 posts
 
Yes, nicely laid back with more definition between the notes plus a little more warmth.

I guess Rega took the shortcut with the white belt upgrade, like other turntable manufacturers (pro-ject), thinking a faster running table sounds better. I disagree...
sbrownnw OP
686 posts
 
Noticeable difference on solo piano. After reading more, it sounds like there
is some variance with belts and test numbers. So, finding a belt that
produces the test tone most accurately is the right one for me. Just got my
red belt in the mail. Have not tried it yet.
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