DC Turntable Motor Speed Controller
Printed From: Graham Slee Hifi System Components
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URL: https://www.hifisystemcomponents.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=1749
Printed Date: 27 Mar 2026 at 12:35am
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Topic: DC Turntable Motor Speed Controller
Posted By: Graham Slee
Subject: DC Turntable Motor Speed Controller
Date Posted: 15 Feb 2013 at 4:44pm
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Suggested by my good friend Len Gregory (The Cartridge Man, Croydon) Len uses some turntables that use DC motors, and they have a DC power supply with a switch to change from 33rpm to 45rpm, as well as some trimmers to set the speed up. He doesn't use the 45rpm but a lot of people do. He told me he wasn't well pleased with the 'speed boxes' he had and asked me to make him a prototype that could do a better job of keeping the speed stable. I of course obliged although it took me a few months to be able to get round to it. Len was quite happy with the 'ugly' prototype I sent him and told me his results in using the said device were much better... In his words (roughly translated) "you would think it wouldn't make all that much difference, after all, it's only spinning the platter round and with the weight of the platter and its inertia you'd think it should be just a case of supplying the correct voltage and any similar item can do that, but this thing also improves the sound in every way" So, I thought, should I dare to make these things for sale? I answered myself by asking "would anybody want one?" And that's why I'm asking you good folk in this poll. Any comments gratefully received. Graham ------------- That none should be able to park up and enjoy the view without a smartphone and the knowledge in how to use apps |
Replies:
Posted By: morris_minor
Date Posted: 15 Feb 2013 at 5:12pm
I'd be interested if I had need of one, but my three decks are all Direct Drive . . . 
Edit: A lot of manufacturers produce their own "improved" PS/controller as an upgrade path. I would imagine that this would be the path most folk would go - even if the performance of the GSP box outstripped the OEM one. For those who have already discovered GSP it would be a no-brainer. Whether this would be economic to produce is definitely not something I can answer . . . ------------- Bob Majestic DAC/pre-amp Accession MC/Enigma, Accession MM, Reflex M, Elevator EXP, Era Gold V Solo ULDE, Novo, Lautus USB and digital, Libran balanced, CuSat50 2 x Proprius + Spatia/Spatia Links |
Posted By: ICL1P
Date Posted: 15 Feb 2013 at 5:24pm
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It's a difficult one to answer. A DC motor with switchable speed control is something I've though about, because it's such a faff moving the belt from one pulley to another to play 45s. So, if I decided to go that route sometime, I would potentially be interested, but having just purchased a second turntable (same as one of Bob's) maybe I'll just stick to using that for 45s because it's all automatic. I think I'll probably have to vote that I don't have a need. ------------- Ifor ===== Reflex M & ACCESSION M, CuSat50, Majestic DAC, a Proprius pair. |
Posted By: morris_minor
Date Posted: 15 Feb 2013 at 5:28pm
You'll be surprised at how well it plays 33s too  .------------- Bob Majestic DAC/pre-amp Accession MC/Enigma, Accession MM, Reflex M, Elevator EXP, Era Gold V Solo ULDE, Novo, Lautus USB and digital, Libran balanced, CuSat50 2 x Proprius + Spatia/Spatia Links |
ICL1P wrote:Posted By: ICL1P
Date Posted: 15 Feb 2013 at 5:31pm
------------- Ifor ===== Reflex M & ACCESSION M, CuSat50, Majestic DAC, a Proprius pair. |
Posted By: suede
Date Posted: 15 Feb 2013 at 5:54pm
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I'm currently using a ProJect "Speed Box II" with my ProJect TT and I'm quite satisfied but if you would be able to make one to better it I would definitely be interested, given the price being reasonable. |
Posted By: gaz
Date Posted: 15 Feb 2013 at 6:09pm
i would not but my brother would
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Posted By: Dave Friday
Date Posted: 15 Feb 2013 at 6:13pm
| Yes but I would need a motor as well! |
Posted By: mitch65
Date Posted: 15 Feb 2013 at 7:15pm
If it improved on the separate power supply of my RP6 then I guess that would be of interest ------------- Greg Rega Planer 3 Gram Amp 2 Audiolab 8000A Auralic Aries Mini Russell K 50 |
Posted By: Fatmangolf
Date Posted: 15 Feb 2013 at 9:27pm
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Generally I can see why you could make a difference in getting the turntable electronics right. I'm currently enjoying my modified SL1210, is there anything you can do on that? ------------- Jon Open mind and ears whilst owning GSP Genera, Accession M, Accession MC, Elevator EXP, Solo ULDE, Proprius amps, Cusat50 cables, Lautus digital cable, Spatia cables and links, and a Majestic DAC. |
Posted By: ServerBaboon
Date Posted: 16 Feb 2013 at 5:49pm
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It's not to much of a biggie to change the belt on my Gyrodec occasionally also I already have the uprated power supply so Solo DE upgrade is more likely first and the Big Dac (depending on price ) next.
------------- Steve ------------- Various bits of GSP Kit ..well two so far, unless you count the cables that is. |
Posted By: BackinBlack
Date Posted: 19 Feb 2013 at 9:19am
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As a Garrard devotee, unfortunately this wouldn't brighten up my listening. The Garrards, as many will know, use a rather large AC shaded pole motor. Now, a larger frequency stable clean 50Hz power supply - that would be interesting, but also attractive to relatively few of us. So, I'm a "don't have the need" - as yet! I can however see that a decent DC power supply without the hype would be a genuine upgrade for many, particularly if a matching DC motor were available. But, there are already others that have established such offerings, so there would be a marketing challenge. |