Just had a couple of days setting t/t speed using my newest purchase - the Sutherland Timeline Laser timing tool and thought I would share how good it is, once I got my head around how best to set-up and use it. The supplied one page instructions are vague to say the least and it took me time to settle on which wall I was looking at to see the laser projection settle. But once I got that fixed, it was easy to make minute adjustments on the VPI SDS and easy to correct drift and pitch. I found that using a sheet of graph paper 'blue-tacked' onto the wall behind. Astonishing to see the effect that the addition of the periphery ring clamp to HRX platter had on RPM. Never before have I been able to recognise and so accurately use adjustment of SDS khz and hear the pitch snap in to focus.
Yes, you can see this stylus drag, plus different cartridge loads, different weight vinyls, belt tension changes, etc. And because the laser projects around the room, you can see minute changes around the complete revolution.
My Clearaudio strobe is not functioning properly. Of course this only happened once I moved my turntable to a new spot and friends coming over for a listen the next night. Cds it was for the night, but vinyl is what we wanted to listen to.
Purchased the Sutherland Timeline which I will receive on Monday. Should be interesting, accurate I hope........ Will comment once I have had a chance to use it on my table. Till then,
The Timeline is a test tool, it's most important function is checking speed. If it works with your turntable as a hold down, you got a bonus
The Timeline does not hold the record tight enough in my system, the LP actually slips on start and stop and maybe even during play. A different platter mat could change this result, mine is particularly "slippery" as mats go.
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