Speed accuracy- how accurate is accurate?


Certainly, running at 33.333333333333 . . .  with a stylus in the groove is ideal. Running an iPhone app I just discovered (RPM), I'm running about 33.55 or 33.56. Table is an LP12 with an 18 year old Lingo. Everything sounds OK- is it ok? 
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Showing 1 response by bpoletti

In my opinion....

Pitch stability is MUCH MORE about off-center holes than variations in properly performing turntable motor operations.  The difference between 33.31 and 33.35 is insignificant as long as the speed remains relatively constant in the short term.  Unless a listener is absolutely pitch perfect (very tiny percentage of listeners), they won't know the difference in the long term.  Even cutting lathes didn't maintain perfectly stable speed rates.  (The Beatles "Golden slumber / Carry That Weight / The End" seriously changes pitch increasing from slightly flat to quite sharp during the recording, but it quite listenable.)

In my opinion, the REAL issue is not about speed accuracy for A/C driven turntable motors.  It is ALL about A/C noise making its way into the platter or plinth.  There is a quite noticeable difference in noise entering "the system" when the turntable drive motor A/C voltage (VPI Aries and VPI modified TNT) is reduced by a variac from 120v to around 75v.  That is still enough voltage to maintain stable platter rotation to operate the table but the vibration generated by the A/C synchronous is dramatically reduced.  This can further be demonstrated by using different kinds of drive belts.  Reducing this noise floor makes a big difference in detail, soundstage, image tightness, instrument character and performance subtleties.      

Just my opinion and personal observation (as a former professional performing musician).  Your opinion may differ, your opinion may differ.