Yes, this is one of the interesting questions to ask about this table. As in Mike's pictures the table has a digital readout - the picture shows 33.33. It could be surprising if that changed with the added clock.
To get that readout I wonder what is measured - is it platter speed and if so how is that done? What is the peak deviation from perfect 33 1/3rpm? I'm guessing it is the motor of the magnetic driver that is controlled. How does platter speed inform the motor controller.
Mike you probably don't have strong interest in the technological interior of motor controllers and speed accuracy -- at least that's my guess, no problem. It is just out of curiosity about the technology that I ask about it and wonder if Esoteric engineers will tell us more in terms of specifications with and without the clock.
I don't have a sense that stable accuracy is the ultimate raison dêtre of the table, but rather overall technical excellence with the different drive method as the attractant. And of course, the resulting sound.
Nonetheless, Esoteric says: "
Accommodating a patent-registered unique contact-free drive mechanism, the “Esoteric MagneDrive System”, that inductively synchronizes the rotations of a magnetic driver and platter, realizing a quiet and silky-smooth rotation at an extraordinarily accurate rotation speed."
And "
Absolutely precise platter rotation, free from any irregularities of speed, potentially caused by mechanical contacts, such as belt, rim or motor." That does not say there are no speed irregularities, only that if there are, they are not caused by mechnical contact. They do not say directly if the clock matters to that description.
Specs say:
Rotation speed adjustment range | ±12% (0.1% step) |
I wonder how that would be used.
Vinyl abides. Interesting different technology marches on.