Chris A Posted November 13, 2014 Share Posted November 13, 2014 (edited) Anyone use a test record or have any test results to share? Here is one such test record that I obtained recently: Chris Edited November 13, 2014 by Chris A Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thaddeus Smith Posted November 13, 2014 Share Posted November 13, 2014 i assume this would make my DAC explode if I tried to play it in a non-analogue system? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris A Posted November 13, 2014 Author Share Posted November 13, 2014 (edited) I think that you'd have a dimensional issue with loading a vinyl test record into anything that you might call "digital"... I'm actually looking for anyone that's used REW, TrueRTA, or LMA, etc. to record the results of their TT/arm/cartridge/phono preamp testing using a test record. One of the problems that you cannot avoid with turntables and vinyl is that you've got to have a test record (like the above) to see what is actually happening on your typical multi-kilobuck "audiophile" turntable/arm/cartridge setup. You really can't practically test these components with anything other than a test record. Chris Edited November 13, 2014 by Chris A Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thaddeus Smith Posted November 13, 2014 Share Posted November 13, 2014 You'd be surprised at the kinds of vinyl rips you might find on certain Russian websites I'm familiar with test CD's that have frequency tones, sweeps, phase adjustments, and demo vocals/drum tracks/etc. I guess I was just curious about what makes it specific to turntables, physical format aside. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
USNRET Posted November 13, 2014 Share Posted November 13, 2014 (edited) I bought the same test LP but have yet to find the time (and alone-ness) to spin it up. I also gave this thing a shot: Edited November 13, 2014 by USNRET Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
seti Posted November 13, 2014 Share Posted November 13, 2014 I have four vintage test records. I use them every time I set up a new table. I'd like to use the http://www.feickert.de/index.php?id=17&L=1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris A Posted November 13, 2014 Author Share Posted November 13, 2014 (edited) I guess I was just curious about what makes it specific to turntables, physical format aside. Actually. I was initially looking for ways to test the phono preamp separately, but came to the conclusion that an end-to-end test of the system with a vinyl test record on one end and a microphone running REW on the other end was the easiest and most apropos method to check things out. Testing only the preamp really doesn't make a lot of sense when your focus is really on the whole enchilada - i.e., how it tastes. With REW upsweeps, you're always assuming that your (digital) HDMI input to the preamp/DAC is the same as the output from a digital disc player (speaking HDMI and S/PDIF, that is--digital outputs to the preamp - not analog RCA connections). So you do your REW upsweeps using the HDMI bus and record the results, which includes things like system impulse response, distortion plots, decay plots and waterfalls, and phase plots. With a vinyl test record, all you can accomplish vis-a-vis the above is a RTA plot or oscilloscope-like display of the results, so I used RTA plots - which work pretty well. But there really isn't a way to do upsweeps using vinyl, unfortunately. The author of REW has had that capability in his "to-do" queue for a few years now (i.e., recording upsweeps done externally to REW), unfortunately, and no word on when that might happen. Edited November 13, 2014 by Chris A Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris A Posted November 13, 2014 Author Share Posted November 13, 2014 (edited) I have four vintage test records. I use them every time I set up a new table. I'd like to use the http://www.feickert.de/index.php?id=17&L=1 That link is to a cartridge/turntable protractor - not a test record. Is that what you intended? Any test data/plots? Edited November 13, 2014 by Chris A Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
seti Posted November 15, 2014 Share Posted November 15, 2014 I have four vintage test records. I use them every time I set up a new table. I'd like to use the http://www.feickert.de/index.php?id=17&L=1 That link is to a cartridge/turntable protractor - not a test record. Is that what you intended? Any test data/plots? I need it for perfect placement of tonearm. Then I use records and tonearm / cartridge templates for setup and testing. No plots but visual setup measurement and then the ears. That is what the records are for. It doesn't take long to figure out if something is out of whack. I need a bit of refinement on mine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jcmusic Posted November 15, 2014 Share Posted November 15, 2014 I bought the same test LP but have yet to find the time (and alone-ness) to spin it up. I also gave this thing a shot: I also use one of these to set the azimith on my TT works just fine!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Schu Posted November 15, 2014 Share Posted November 15, 2014 I heard mixed results from folks using these test records based mainly on the fact that most home LP's have to deal with arch issues when manufacturing is done linearly. I have test records and have played them, but mainly I used the one I have to back up the set up and tuning I had done by ear. I don't have electronic test equip myself. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldenough Posted November 15, 2014 Share Posted November 15, 2014 I have test records and have played them, but mainly I used the one I have to back up the set up and tuning I had done by ear. Yup!... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris A Posted November 17, 2014 Author Share Posted November 17, 2014 Thanks for the responses. I've found an online source for test data. Chris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thebes Posted November 20, 2014 Share Posted November 20, 2014 I too use test records, primarily for setup or when I'm switching out gear. I don't use measuring equipment. My favorite is the Omnidisc from Telarc. I also have test records from Popular Science, Shure, Micro-Acoustics , CBS Technical Series, Ohm, a Fisher Quadradisc, and two mono Vanguard Demonstration Records. Most of these have the usual test for balance, various tones etc., and a couple have a "Standard Pitch A" for checking out tape deck speeds with the use of a tuning fork. Oh, I also have a Cardas Sweeper Record that may be of interest to you. Contains a blank track, system degausing frequency sweep, plateau for tone arm adjustments, and a inverted frequency sweep. Be happy to send any to you could use except the Omnidisc. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JJkizak Posted November 20, 2014 Share Posted November 20, 2014 I have 4 of the old CBS Labs test records that I used a couple times that I do not need and as I recall they drove me nuts. JJK Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bacek Posted November 30, 2014 Share Posted November 30, 2014 I have bought one from the beginning. Unfortunately center hole in mine is too large so it's hard to place it correctly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
seti Posted December 1, 2014 Share Posted December 1, 2014 I have bought one from the beginning. Unfortunately center hole in mine is too large so it's hard to place it correctly. That happens sometimes. Just get a little dremel bit and enlarge it just a tad. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JJkizak Posted December 1, 2014 Share Posted December 1, 2014 One of the barrage of things that happens with vinyl. JJK Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mallette Posted December 1, 2014 Share Posted December 1, 2014 Sheesh. I still use a Command Stereo Test Album from the 60s. Dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
seti Posted December 1, 2014 Share Posted December 1, 2014 One of the barrage of things that happens with vinyl. JJK Happens to one in a few thousand records. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.