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wow and flutter

I have recently purchased a rega 3 (planer) turntable,I have attempted to set it up as best I can with my modest resources, ie to reduce vibration etc. I have been lucky enough to be able to purchase a second hand decca stereo check up record (in good condition for a dollar) but the test that shocked me was the 3khz tone for wow and flutter.Is there any way this distortion can be reduced apart from a heavier platter.
mayanitis
seandtaylor99
1,262 posts
 
Not bad .. 5 answers and 1 of them attempts to answer the question. How discouraging for this audiogon newbie.
inpepinnovations1e75
395 posts
 
Seandtaylor, then maybe the correct answer is the stock answer used by 'sophisticated" listeners/audiophiles - "if it sounds OK then ignore the test results". Specifications and performance numbers are useless, aren't they.
seandtaylor99
1,262 posts
 
I'm afraid I don't understand your response. The question regarded speed stability on the P3. As a P3 owner I know that speed stability is probably its weakest suit. So I offered advice that has helped me in the past. Others told him to change to a direct drive turntable, and then there was a long answer which seemed to imply that wow and flutter add to the music.

Well, I'm sorry but wow and flutter detract from the music in my book, both as they are measured and as they are heard.
stefanl
296 posts
 
If you want a more correct answer it is this.Cartridge/tonearm resonance is at the core of this issue.The Rega tonearm has an effective mass of 11gms.To this you are trying to match a cartridge that has a resonance of around 11/12Hz with the Rega arm.You are thus looking for a suitable cartridge.A search of Audigon archives will be helpful here.It is now commonly accepted that a Moving Coil cartridge with a relatively low vertical compliance is most suitable for the Rega.At entry level there is the Sumiko Blue Point Special,Dynavector 10x5,Denon DL-103.Wow and flutter are only subjective approaches at best as Paol Ladegaaard points out in a famous paper.Good speed stability and correct cartridge/tonearm matching is what you are looking for.
harhau
19 posts
 
Mayanitis,

I don't think the arm/cartridge resonance is relevant for what you hear at your 3 kHz test track unless it is a 3 kHz tone superimposed on a low frequency (near the arm cartridge resonance frequency)signal.

You should make sure that the platter bearing is properly lubricated. An old bearing with insufficient lubrication may cause flutter.

If the bearing and belts etc are fine, then you might improve things with a heavier platter.

If none of the advice above (i.e cleaning the belt, lubrication etc)helps, then you'll either have to learn to live with it or get another TT such as suggested already by Psychicanimal.

Good luck!

- Harald
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