Well I owe you a pint or three. Done around 1.5 hrs straight listening and I am getting a really nice improvement in the sound. The following are the areas that I have seen a really decent uplift:
>> Leading edge transient speed increased
>> Improved decay
>> Added micro-resolution
>> More texture in lower register
I can't take credit for discovering this people have been using thread as belt with high mass platters as far back as I can remember but I'm sure glad that my posts helped out and I will have those pints ! The improvements you describe are the result of clearing up the bass when you reduce the effects of the motor drive on platter rotation, in the same way the motor always affects the bass in DD turntables. The solid belt we use with AS is nearly there without the hassles of string and in most cases indistinguishable but in the right system thread still sounds more natural.
I can't take credit for discovering this people have been using thread as belt with high mass platters as far back as I can remember but I'm sure glad that my posts helped out and I will have those pints ! The improvements you describe are the result of clearing up the bass when you reduce the effects of the motor drive on platter rotation, in the same way the motor always affects the bass in DD turntables. The solid belt we use with AS is nearly there without the hassles of string and in most cases indistinguishable but in the right system thread still sounds more natural.
Thanks David. Either way you brought it firmly to my attention. Have you experimented with different materials? I know of many choices with loads of differing properties. What are the desirable characteristics of the thread? The one I am using is 15lbs breaking strain with a very tough external jackets that is very grippy. There is no stretch at all in this and the jacket has tungsten impregnated.
Thanks David. Either way you brought it firmly to my attention. Have you experimented with different materials? I know of many choices with loads of differing properties. What are the desirable characteristics of the thread? The one I am using is 15lbs breaking strain with a very tough external jackets that is very grippy. There is no stretch at all in this and the jacket has tungsten impregnated.
I've done some experiments and didn't find that aside from convenience and longevity the actual thread type affecting the sound, certainly what you're using is more than adequate and probably higher quality than what I have.
Well I owe you a pint or three. Done around 1.5 hrs straight listening and I am getting a really nice improvement in the sound. The following are the areas that I have seen a really decent uplift:
>> Leading edge transient speed increased
>> Improved decay
>> Added micro-resolution
>> More texture in lower register
Sure - I just tied up one as an example and photographed it up close in the light so you can see it. Using my material, one strips the sheath to reveal the inner braid so it gives you ability to have only tiniest impact of a knot.
It's not a matter of ironing out speed fluctuation in fact you might see even a little more of that with thread it's how it maintains the speed which is important. If you go by measurements alone a low end DD could beat all belt drives and we know how they sound.
As far as audiophile power cords and motors that's all yours to own !
This is likely just my ears not very good. I dont enjoy any less when my speed is not accurate to the third decimal point. I havent even adjusted the speed since I last took the belt out to clean the platter. Now my speed is 33.33 with varying third decimal. Heck..some morning it is 33.32 with third decimal varying. My personal opinion is as long as the variance is quite stable meaning doesn't keep moving up and down frequently or all the time, the music does not lose any attractiveness. I still hear everything there is to hear from my vinyls. To me speed accuracy to the very last degree is not as important as speed stabilityto the last degree.
You never told me the above. How is my learning curve my Master Yoda.
This is likely just my ears not very good. I dont enjoy any less when my speed is not accurate to the third decimal point. I havent even adjusted the speed since I last took the belt out to clean the platter. Now my speed is 33.33 with varying third decimal. Heck..some morning it is 33.32 with third decimal varying. My personal opinion is as long as the variance is quite stable meaning doesn't keep moving up and down frequently or all the time, the music does not lose any attractiveness. I still hear everything there is to hear from my vinyls. To me speed accuracy to the very last degree is not as important as speed stabilityto the last degree.
You never told me the above. How is my learning curve my Master Yoda.
This takes me back to when I had a Teres turntable. It started with string drive and of course there was discussion about the knot. The consensus (!) was for the bloodknot as having the least detection when it went 'round the pulley. Then we switched to tape, everyone used silver mylar. It was a pita to splice and join seemlessly with no overlap and no sound. The tapes only lasted a few months. Then Chris Brady came out with his Verus rim drive and the problem switched from the pulley to the roundness of the cocobolo platter.
This takes me back to when I had a Teres turntable. It started with string drive and of course there was discussion about the knot. The consensus (!) was for the bloodknot as having the least detection when it went 'round the pulley. Then we switched to tape, everyone used silver mylar. It was a pita to splice and join seemlessly with no overlap and no sound. The tapes only lasted a few months. Then Chris Brady came out with his Verus rim drive and the problem switched from the pulley to the roundness of the cocobolo platter.
I use a relatively thin soft thread the tiny knot is of no consequence specially in this case with a 10lb flywheel pulley and a near 200lb platter whatever style it is . The Micro Seiki type belts we use last decades in normal use.
! The improvements you describe are the result of clearing up the bass when you reduce the effects of the motor drive on platter rotation, in the same way the motor always affects the bass in DD turntables. The solid belt we use with AS is nearly there without the hassles of string and in most cases indistinguishable but in the right system thread still sounds more natural.
