How important is low W & F performance anyway?

@billstevenson 

Congrats on a good find, and that it measured so well. I tell others, they are solid, a darn good choice for someone getting started in Vinyl.

Were the turntables in question using the same test specs as the manufacturers, IEC, CCIR, DIN? 

Are you asking about my test method or the mfr’s test method?  The mfr’s published specs do not indicate which method and/or weighting they used (I suspect they don’t actually measure anything, they just pull numbers out of the air given the discrepancy between specs and actual measurements). Different methods will produce slightly different results but they shouldn't exceed a ratio of ~2x.

The polar plot software I have uses 2-Sigma method, unweighted.  The BW is adjustable up to 200 Hz.  Multi-Instrument software uses RMS and 2-Sigma but it does not necessarily conform to the IEC/DIN/CCIR specs for the center frequency.  The Leader LFM-39 is selectable. 

All of my measurements were taken from the output of the encoders used for closed loop feedback so the center frequency differs from any of the standard tests, but the signal is free from record defects, off center pressings, or contributions from the tone arm or lathe.  It should reflect the most accurate movement of the actual platter.  Too many of the commercial offerings for W&F measurements attempt to filter out contributions from the LP/tonearm and in doing so, remove valuable information about the drive.  It’s important to look at not only the amplitude of these deviations but also the spectrum.  Multi-Instrument software and the HP 35655A dynamic signal analyzer provide this.

@phoenixengr 

Is it me or have you left out any reference to the manufacturer, the model numbers and specifications of the tables in question? How about some links to the erroneous reviews and the publications you're talking about.

Is it me or have you left out any reference to the manufacturer, the model numbers and specifications of the tables in question?

I purposely did not list any of that information to prevent undo controversy.  You can either choose to believe what I've presented or not.

But Bill, you kind of intimated that one of the TTs is the Monaco Grand Prix.  I can understand if you would rather not confirm or deny it. I remain very happy with your Eagle and Roadrunner controlling my Lenco L75.