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Posted

Hi all, 

I have a big problem with the rpm of rega planar 3. When tested with rpm wow app it shows 33.9 - 34.1 rpm. I have also use a stroboscope too. It is simply terrible. All my records i use to test for quality or changes to the sound of any improvement ro the system, is dreadful and out of rhythm. I have already buy the new reference belt from rega. Nothing happened. What can i do? This topic transferred from another general question one as suggested by another member to get help in this forum more specifically for turntables. Thank you in advance.

Posted

I am sure I read that is normal for Rega turntables.  Apparently, the story goes, Rega thinks it makes their tables sound better, if they run a little fast.

Posted

A few things to check;

Have you also cleaned the sub-platter (and pulley) where it is in contact with the new belt?

Have you cleaned and re-lubricated the bearing?

Is the pulley worn or perhaps not properly attached to the drive shaft?

Is the speed variation random or does it suggest a pattern? 
How reliable is the electricity grid in Greece? 
If it is the motor (I believe an AC motor) perhaps you could contact Rega in UK and see if they could send you a replacement motor (both electricity grids are 230v/50hz)?

Posted
9 hours ago, frankn said:

If it is the motor (I believe an AC motor)

 

If it's an AC motor, the mains frequency may be off.  I remember that, in Australia, it was supposedly the average that was more important, so it may be over frequency for part of the day, and under at a diffferent time -  depending on the load on the grid.

Posted

Thank you for your replies. 

Speed is constant, pulley has been cleaned, bearing cleaned and relubricated, first thing i have checked before proceed to anything, was the electricity mains for any variations. It was 49.9 Hz at 232 v ac. So this is fine. I have contact the rega distributer here and ask them about the problem, and they suggesting to buy the 24 volt kit upgrade and stoping having any speed problems. I can't afford that expense at the moment.

Posted

Do you have a test LP that has a constant tone track ?

The Ultimate Analogue Test LP?

Then you could check the frequency variation you are hearing through your speakers via a spectrum analyser, even one such as Spectrumview on your phone or tablet. 
The small speed variation the app is reporting will be even less when the cartridge is tracking in a groove on vinyl. 
It might give you a 2nd opinion. 
I would still reach out to Rega UK to ask for advice. 

Posted

Yes i do have a test lp and checked with it , everything is the same. I also have some reference lp records which i use them for any change or upgrade has done to the system, and i know them as my Palm. The outcome is the same. I have also checked the speed with 3 different stroboscope 's and the result is the same,as i don't trust app's so much. I will contact rega uk, but i am afraid they will also tell me to upgrade the motor system.

Posted

Is this a recent problem or has it been there from the beginning?

If it is recent, can you fix a time when it went from good(acceptable) to bad/unacceptable and link it with an external reason/change in system/house/neighbourhood that might have caused the problem ?

Posted

Check the capacitor, if its an early deck its likely to be cracking in the body and drifting in value, 0.22uF X class cap, cheap and relatively easy to replace.

If the cap is ok then loosen off the motor screws a move the motor around, there is a plate that holds the o-ring holding up the motor, you can move this around and change the tension on the belt getting a small change in speed, usually enough to get it back close to correct if all else appears to be working correctly.

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Posted
On 20/01/2025 at 7:01 PM, Athanasios said:

Hi all, 

I have a big problem with the rpm of rega planar 3. When tested with rpm wow app it shows 33.9 - 34.1 rpm. I have also use a stroboscope too. It is simply terrible. All my records i use to test for quality or changes to the sound of any improvement ro the system, is dreadful and out of rhythm. I have already buy the new reference belt from rega. Nothing happened. What can i do? This topic transferred from another general question one as suggested by another member to get help in this forum more specifically for turntables. Thank you in advance.

It's a Rega

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  • Haha 1
Posted

cafe latte,, good one.

I have change the capacitor before i refer to this forum. Now for the motor ...and the rubber ring position, well this is another story,and a painful one. I have spend nearly six hours, my eyes are red, moving and rotate few millimeters the motor to get correct speed, if any, that was 2 days  ago, and the results always was a variation of +/ - 0.1 rpm .  I can't see any other solution apart from sellin it with the problem. I am so tired and disappointed. 

Posted
5 hours ago, Athanasios said:

cafe latte,, good one.

I have change the capacitor before i refer to this forum. Now for the motor ...and the rubber ring position, well this is another story,and a painful one. I have spend nearly six hours, my eyes are red, moving and rotate few millimeters the motor to get correct speed, if any, that was 2 days  ago, and the results always was a variation of +/ - 0.1 rpm .  I can't see any other solution apart from sellin it with the problem. I am so tired and disappointed. 

 

 

Well, there's always the option of modifying the drive pulley.  With the motor spinning, apply a suitably shaped tool with sandpaper covering it, to slowly reduce the size of the pulley and bring the speed into spec.

Posted

Yes i know about the pulley mod, but is a risky one. If got it wrong or accidentally apply more force to the tool, i  will need a new pulley. It is a solution though, and i might try it before decide to sell it .

Posted
6 hours ago, Athanasios said:

cafe latte,, good one.

I have change the capacitor before i refer to this forum. Now for the motor ...and the rubber ring position, well this is another story,and a painful one. I have spend nearly six hours, my eyes are red, moving and rotate few millimeters the motor to get correct speed, if any, that was 2 days  ago, and the results always was a variation of +/ - 0.1 rpm .  I can't see any other solution apart from sellin it with the problem. I am so tired and disappointed. 

There are various after market belts and pulleys to attempt to fix a problem the turntable should not have in the first place. Rega are bad for it, but a lot of belt drives run fast.

My 2c is sell it and get a Technics sl1200 g or gr2. They run at exactly the right speed with many times less rumble and wow and flutter.

This is your best fix.

Chris

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Posted
12 minutes ago, Athanasios said:

Yes i know about the pulley mod, but is a risky one. If got it wrong or accidentally apply more force to the tool, i  will need a new pulley. It is a solution though, and i might try it before decide to sell it .

 

Just take it very slowly, and aim for ever-so-slightly fast as the final result.  I have fixed quite a few idler drivers this way.

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Posted (edited)

I'm just glad he put "rpm" at the end of his thread title.

(So none of us would think he was referring to a marathon or a 10K)

Edited by Rich Conrad
Parenthetical Elaboration
Posted
4 hours ago, cafe latte said:

My 2c is sell it and get a Technics sl1200 g or gr2. They run at exactly the right speed with many times less rumble and wow and flutter.

Attention all Rega owners!

Forget the Rega hype and do exactly as above. Both Technics decks don't come standard with speed issues or hum or just bad quality control.

Even an equivalent Pro-Ject is much better.

Posted
1 minute ago, rantan said:

Even an equivalent Pro-Ject is much better

 

I have always thought so - but usually refrain from inviting the argument that might ensue.

Posted
1 minute ago, aussievintage said:

 

I have always thought so - but usually refrain from inviting the argument that might ensue.

Meh, don't worry about it. :lol:

Rega fanbois don't have much of a leg to stand upon

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Posted

I am a collector of vinyl records and turntables. I have 15, among them included sl1200, slq2-3, sl150, onkyo cp1057f, all of then direct drives, thorens ,pioneer, pink, rega, jvc, akai, belt drives, lenco ,dual's perpettum ebner, elac, idler drives,  and others, and i know very well which is sounding better because i use them every week so they work for mechanical parts. I am not a rega fan but i do know that with the same cartridge before the problem start, was better of any direct drive i own. By the way with the pulley trimming i manage to get the rpm at 33,39-33,42 so i am not touching it any more. Leave it as is now. Thank you all for your help , appreciate it. 

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