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Pitch variation on Akai AP-005

M

markg

New Member
Hi all,

I've been noticing a very slight variation in pitch at times when playing records on my Akai AP-005 turntable. I just recently got this turntable and it sat for about 15 years until I got it. When I first got it, the drive belt had come off so I replaced it, and put a few drops of oil into the motor as well. I've gone through all of the tone arm adjustments that the manual says to do like stylus pressure, lateral balance and stylus overhang, and it's all set correctly. I've had 2 different cartridges on it and I've noticed this with both of them.

I also have a Technics SL-D2 table and I don't remember having this problem at all when I had that one hooked up.

Any ideas?


Thanks,

Mark
 
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Maybe I should clarify a bit, when I say pitch I mean the "pitch" of the sound. It almost sounds like maybe the speed that the platter is rotating at could be slowing slightly at times.
 
Well, Mark, first of all you're comparing a direct drive to a belt drive. Two different animals. If the 33/45 switches are electrical, spray the contacts and innards with Deoxit. If they merely move the belt to a different pulley, the pulleys may be dirty. You oiled the motor, but how about the platter bearing? Usually a few drops of motor oil for that. You replaced the belt--meaning you bought a new one? Where did you buy it? Sounds like a belt/pulley issue to me.
 
I pulled the mat off and looked at where the belt sits on the pulley, from what I can see it looks clean in there. All the 45 switch appears to do is pull down on the belt right beside where it's on the pulley, and twists it 180 degrees.

What is the procedure for oiling the platter bearing? The manual didn't describe how to do that. Does anything need to be taken apart?

I did buy a new belt for it, yeah. I got it from an electronics store and it was brand new.


Thanks.
 
I took another look at the 33/45 switches and it actually does move the belt down to a different part of the pulley (a thinner part for the 45 speed), I just didn't realize it until I started the table up 'cause the belt doesn't completely move until the platter begins spinning.
 
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