T.T. test discs. which is the best.

[Grimmie]

I've done my best to set up my two tone arms on the Hyperspace to the best of my ability but I hear that a good test LP can fine tune the adjustments to optimal levels. So in all of your collective knowledge , which is the most useful and effective?

Do they help with VTA, azimuth, anti-skate, tracking force etc. etc.? what else can I expect from a good one.

Top: Jelco SA 750 D + Shure V15III (+ Jico SAS microline/boron)

Right: Notts Analogue Ace Space + Ortofon 2M Black (+ microline stylus/boron cantilever. From Chris at Allclearaudio)

 

Edited September 13, 2024 by Grimmie

[David A]

Analog Magik is probably the best - https://www.analogmagik.com/

 

Wally Tools are also very good - https://www.wallyanalog.com/

 

Edited September 13, 2024 by David A
fixed link

[cafe latte]

6 hours ago, Grimmie said:

I've done my best to set up my two tone arms on the Hyperspace to the best of my ability but I hear that a good test LP can fine tune the adjustments to optimal levels. So in all of your collective knowledge , which is the most useful and effective?

Do they help with VTA, azimuth, anti-skate, tracking force etc. etc.? what else can I expect from a good one.

Top: Jelco SA 750 D + Shure V15III (+ Jico SAS microline/boron)

Right: Notts Analogue Ace Space + Ortofon 2M Black (+ microline stylus/boron cantilever. From Chris at Allclearaudio)

 

My main use of a test record is channel balance and separation but for listening set up the anti-skate is the most useful test. Don't though set it for the most modulated part of the test as normal music is not this modulated. Set for around 3/4 of the test track.

For these simple tests most records are fine, the issue comes with wow and flutter test tracks as so many test records are off centre.

Chris

[Grimmie]

Thanks for the tips and recommendations David and Chris.

 

From their website just the WallyTractor, WallySkater, WallyZenith & WallyReference will cost ~ US$1270 so around Au$1900 Then add the Wally Scope US$1500 ~2.2K Ausie. over four grand...Phew! For that outlay I'd need to set-up in business to recoup some of the expense.

 

Perhaps the Analogue Magik computer based results would be more economical at US$1100 but that still ain't chump change.

 

I was thinking of buying something like the Hi-Fi News test disc or Analogue Productions (Iknow there's a few similar), they can be had for less than a hundred I think but have no real idea if they're effective or accurate, nor what their limitations are. Anyone know which would be the most useful?

 

I'm thinking, maybe give the Turntable Doctor here in Perth a ring to see if he has the tools and methodology to come do the job. Not sure that the doc make's house calls though, and at around 45kg's I'm sure not luggin' it to his place. Would be well ruined by the time I got it home for sure. (Or for Shure )

 

Hmmmm.

Edited September 14, 2024 by Grimmie

[audiofeline]

Over the years I've seen good comments about the Hi-Fi News test disc.  This might be because it may have been the most available for many years.  The contents look similar to many other setup disks that have been produced since the 50's, most setup disks I've seen seem to have common channel identification, test tones, a track to check phase, etc.  The suitability of a disc it would depend on what you specifically want to achieve and if the test disk has the specific tracks to do it.  I would be reasonably confident that any test record produced from the 1970's would be OK (that was the golden era of turntables).  Test disks are available on the pre-owned market, perhaps get a few and compare.

[Grimmie]

More Hmmmmm.....

To effectively use a test LP as per the one below, this is the equipment list required;

These would include:

A USB microscope. – To inspect the stylus alignment and condition, may also be used to measure the stylus rake angle (SRA).

An AC millivolt meter or digital multimeter. – To set azimuth, signal balance and separation.

A dual beam oscilloscope or

An oscilloscope software application and USB ADC for your PC or laptop. – To examine the left and right signals, set optimal azimuth and zenith (for phase).

A real time spectrum analyzer. – To help setup SRA/VTA and measure distortion.

A wow and flutter meter. – Not essential at all in my opinion.

A Fozgometer to setup up azimuth. – This only provides a single dedicated function, but it is easy to use. It is however quite expensive and you can buy a software oscilloscope/real time analyzer, USB ADC and microscope for the same price; providing yourself with a great deal more measurement functionality. This hardware has the potential to cause the user to overcorrect the azimuth when used to obtain the maximum separation for each channel.

 

https://fromvinyltoplastic.com/

 

 

Perhaps even this is beyond my humble capabilities. Guess I'll just have to hope that I'm somewhere better than 80% toward the full performance of my analogue replay equipment as is. It doesn't sound bad but I'd have loved to know how close I am to "perfection". (Now there's a word in Hi-Fi that doesn't have an exact definition.)

 

[David A]

1 hour ago, Grimmie said:

More Hmmmmm.....

To effectively use a test LP as per the one below, this is the equipment list required;

These would include:

A USB microscope. – To inspect the stylus alignment and condition, may also be used to measure the stylus rake angle (SRA).

An AC millivolt meter or digital multimeter. – To set azimuth, signal balance and separation.

A dual beam oscilloscope or

An oscilloscope software application and USB ADC for your PC or laptop. – To examine the left and right signals, set optimal azimuth and zenith (for phase).

A real time spectrum analyzer. – To help setup SRA/VTA and measure distortion.

A wow and flutter meter. – Not essential at all in my opinion.

A Fozgometer to setup up azimuth. – This only provides a single dedicated function, but it is easy to use. It is however quite expensive and you can buy a software oscilloscope/real time analyzer, USB ADC and microscope for the same price; providing yourself with a great deal more measurement functionality. This hardware has the potential to cause the user to overcorrect the azimuth when used to obtain the maximum separation for each channel.

 

https://fromvinyltoplastic.com/

 

 

Perhaps even this is beyond my humble capabilities. Guess I'll just have to hope that I'm somewhere better than 80% toward the full performance of my analogue replay equipment as is. It doesn't sound bad but I'd have loved to know how close I am to "perfection". (Now there's a word in Hi-Fi that doesn't have an exact definition.)

 

Well, all you need to operate AnalogMagik is a:

 

- Windows-compatible laptop (though a dedicated Lenovo Ideapad with an ART Phono Plus sound card is recommended)

- Turntable

- Tonearm

- Cartridge

- Phono Stage/Phono Pre

 

But as mentioned, yes it is not cheap. Then, you could look at it as an investment. And future updates to the software are free.