When to replace turntable belt?
How would you know whether to replace a turntable belt, and when?
@mofimadness Well done. @swong61 belts don’t all behave the same way. You might be right for some. Usually the belt will stretch and what mofimadness has outlined are things to listen for. I will add that when the time comes it is not a subtle change, but more of a suddenly things don’t sound right kind of thing. |
It can also depend on the belt material and where you live. E.g., if the belt is made of a rubber compound and you live in an area with low humidity, the belt will likely need to be replaced sooner, since the material can dry out. Information as provided by the distributor of my Acoustic Signature turntable, where the belt is supposed to last 5 years on average. |
I usually check platter speed with a simple phone app that also gives me a Wow reading and I save them. If I see that Wow reading start to get worse then it's probably time to replace the belt. As noted they are inexpensive so every 12-18 months is a good time for me. But this also depends on how many hours a week you spin records. |
