Nude Turntable Project

Sounds like I was wrong in assuming the app measure EMI and not magnetic field strength, as "Gauss" is a unit of magnetism (but it might also be a unit of measure for EMI; I need to check). I have no evidence that magnetics is any problem with L07D or SP10 Mk3, the latter of which has a humongous magnet and a very powerful motor. Anything ferrous will block or absorb magnetic forces. When you did your measurements, was the TT101 fully assembled and running? Did you compare with and without the "pants"? Possibly blocking magnetic field from the transformer or motor is the primary or a secondary function of the pants, since we do know they are ferrous. ("Old Ironpants.")

The discussion of the awesome Final Audio tts and their relatives brings to mind another audio conundrum. Does a tt need a massive heavy platter to reproduce extreme low bass? Halcro may have an opinion on this, since he is running his TT101, which has one of the lightest platters I have seen on a TOTL DD tt, vs the Raven tt, which has a typical massive platter associated with the high end belt-drive tts. Henry, do you perceive a difference in bass reproduction between the Raven and the TT101? If so, in favor of which tt? Thanks.

Aigenga, looks be just a iphone app. I have a droid OS, was thinking if others do try it would be best to use same software. Have to say I would be skeptical of accuracy of an app for this application. The one I tried was finicky.

FWIW, "Gauss" are a unit of magnetism. EMI is measured either in Volts per meter or Watts per meter-squared.

I can't vouch for the app but the phone has a compass in it which has to be a magnetism detector. So if the app tells me that there is a concentration of magnetic field in certain places and if it is consistent in that reading across multiple tests under varying circumstances then I must believe that it is so. Likely the absolute measurements are not to engineering standards but I am not using the numbers only the relative magnitude of the readings at various spots around the TT.

I don't know if the strength of the field rises to a problematic level - might be cartridge dependent. I also don't know how a problem would present: noise?, loss of detail or dynamics due to magnetic interference? Maybe I'll be able to fix the situation and maybe I will hear a change. I'm skeptical that I will. Gary

Well…I read the interesting article on RFI/EMI linked by Banquo. Whilst it deals specifically with the Kenwood L-07D turntable….I don’t doubt that its observations would also apply to most unshielded DD turntables?
Whilst the writer begins criticising the L-07D …

The tonal range is also reduced. The sound stage is compressed. Stereo separation is reduced….and there is a roll-off of the upper registers

……I hear none of these artifacts with the TT-101 compared to the Raven AC-2 and the Continuum Caliburn.
In fact……these are some of the areas in which the TT-101 playback excels……compared to other turntables?
I also hear no “wum wum wum” sounds through the speakers when the ‘brake’ function is activated.
My experiences with RFI/EMI problems are that if they are present…..they are audible. Simply place the stylus on the vinyl and turn up the volume way past that at which you normally listen. A hum or drone emanates from the speakers which increases as the volume increases. With my TT-101….I can turn up the volume to maximum without any extraneous noise whatsoever.
I am more concerned at the possible ‘unknown’ effects of the wayward magnetism inherent in those DD turntables? So I decided to do some tests on the actual ‘strength’ of this magnetism.
Using my trusty vertical magnet tester……I placed it on the bare aluminium Victor platter and felt its ‘pull’. Was it enough to hold the magnet whilst the platter spun?
Yes it was!
I then decided to try it with the Micro Seiki Cu-180 solid copper platter mat in place.
I was surprised to find the magnetic field was not deterred one iota by the copper platter and the little magnet stayed upright. Methinks the Cu-180 is a ‘fake’ gunmetal copy painted gold? :-(
Could this magnetic field extend through the copper/gunmetal AND a vinyl record?…..is the Pope catholic?
Next I tried to emulate these tests with the original Victor rubber platter mat and then the Victor 1mm pigskin mat directly on the aluminium platter and could not get the little yellow magnet to even stay on the surface….let alone stand at attention :-)