js1138
Super Member
I'm starting this in Thinking Out Loud because I suspect it could be controversial.
From my rather narrow, scientific point of view, a turntable's only function is to spin a record with consistent speed and without introducing any noise of it's own. Tone arms need to be free of friction and low in effective mass, without resonating.
these are all measurable attributes, and when I was younger, they were measured in reviews and proudly displayed in advertising. Unlike many people here, LPs were the only source of music in my youth. From 1963 to about 1988, they and FM were my only source of music.
So I paid attention to specs and reviews, and coveted many of the turntables that people here talk about.
But all this measuring is gone from current comment, and people talk about the "sound" of a device whose only function is to introduce no sound.
What's up? Why is there no discussion of the measurable attributes of a device that is among the simplest and most easily measured in the hobby?
You say arm resonance is important? Very well. Measure it and report your findings. Same with Wow, flutter, speed accuracy and consistency. And Rumble. What frequencies and amplitudes.
From my rather narrow, scientific point of view, a turntable's only function is to spin a record with consistent speed and without introducing any noise of it's own. Tone arms need to be free of friction and low in effective mass, without resonating.
these are all measurable attributes, and when I was younger, they were measured in reviews and proudly displayed in advertising. Unlike many people here, LPs were the only source of music in my youth. From 1963 to about 1988, they and FM were my only source of music.
So I paid attention to specs and reviews, and coveted many of the turntables that people here talk about.
But all this measuring is gone from current comment, and people talk about the "sound" of a device whose only function is to introduce no sound.
What's up? Why is there no discussion of the measurable attributes of a device that is among the simplest and most easily measured in the hobby?
You say arm resonance is important? Very well. Measure it and report your findings. Same with Wow, flutter, speed accuracy and consistency. And Rumble. What frequencies and amplitudes.