Issue with turntable speed - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

John1988 · 8th Jul 2020, 12:04 am

Hi there, just got a vintage Alba turntable and noticed it was running too fast to the point where the pitch was noticeably too high. Did a bit of searching and ended up cleaning the motor spindle (it's a direct drive) and it considerably improves, however it's still running slightly too fast. I used a turntable rpm app and it's running on average at about 34.5 rpm. It's certainly usable but the pitch issues are still noticeable, particularly on vocals. Is this just a common issue with these old turntables or is there a fix for this?

Techman · 8th Jul 2020, 1:09 am

Hello and welcome.

More information needed.

As far as I know, 'Alba' never made a 'turntable' - if they did it's a new one on me!

Picture/s and/or proper model number/s would be more of a help to give an answer to your question.

Edward Huggins · 8th Jul 2020, 5:54 am

This issue comes up regularly here. When the OP says "direct drive" I assume this is an Idler drive unit. ALBA mainly used BSR autochangers. There was at least a 3% + or - speed variation on these mass-produced units, so the OP's deck is well within tolerance.

peter_sol · 8th Jul 2020, 6:16 am

Hello
Is this a record player or a deck only.
If its a BSR deck then yes it is normal.

8th Jul 2020, 12:04 am	#1
John1988 Diode Join Date: Jul 2020 Location: Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK. Posts: 3	Issue with turntable speed Hi there, just got a vintage Alba turntable and noticed it was running too fast to the point where the pitch was noticeably too high. Did a bit of searching and ended up cleaning the motor spindle (it's a direct drive) and it considerably improves, however it's still running slightly too fast. I used a turntable rpm app and it's running on average at about 34.5 rpm. It's certainly usable but the pitch issues are still noticeable, particularly on vocals. Is this just a common issue with these old turntables or is there a fix for this?

8th Jul 2020, 1:09 am	#2
Techman Dekatron Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Lincolnshire, UK. Posts: 5,000	Re: Issue with turntable speed Hello and welcome. More information needed. As far as I know, 'Alba' never made a 'turntable' - if they did it's a new one on me! Picture/s and/or proper model number/s would be more of a help to give an answer to your question.

8th Jul 2020, 5:54 am	#3
Edward Huggins Dekatron Join Date: Sep 2015 Location: Southwold, Suffolk, UK. Posts: 8,336	Re: Issue with turntable speed This issue comes up regularly here. When the OP says "direct drive" I assume this is an Idler drive unit. ALBA mainly used BSR autochangers. There was at least a 3% + or - speed variation on these mass-produced units, so the OP's deck is well within tolerance. __________________ Edward.

8th Jul 2020, 6:16 am	#4
peter_sol Octode Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Welwyn Garden City, Herts. UK. Posts: 1,906	Re: Issue with turntable speed Hello Is this a record player or a deck only. If its a BSR deck then yes it is normal.