Jvc L-A11 Belt Replacement? The 199 New Answer

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If your turntable won’t spin after you turn it on, chances are you have belt problems. The platter belt connects and spins all of the motors in your turntable at a constant speed. Unfortunately, it wears out over time, and if you have, you might be wondering, are platter belts universal?

Turntable tapes are usually made of the same material, but they are not the same size. These belts vary in thickness, length, and width; Therefore, you cannot just install any belt in your turntable. In fact, each model has its specific replacement strap.

A turntable belt is a crucial part of the turntable that is responsible for spinning the motors and playing the record. The belt connects the motor to the turntable, which in turn spins the record.

So in this article we’re going to take a closer look at why you can’t just put any belt in your turntable. We also show you how to replace the belt and choose the right one.

Are turntable belts universal?

Generally, three types of turntable drives are made in the market (direct drive, idler gear, and belt drive systems). And their names are based on the clutch installed between the motor and the platter of the turntable. This means that the motor is outside or below the platter.

The direct drive systems have a motor under the platter that spins it, while belt drives have a belt that connects the platter to the motor. (5)

The belt that connects the platter to the motor in drive belt systems is made of elastomeric materials. (Source) The direct drive system is prevalent on high-end options, while the drive belt system is found in low-end turntables and uses less expensive motors.

The elastomer belt doesn’t just turn the motors; It also absorbs the vibrations from the motor that the pen would have picked up. (Source) The belt acts as a filter and absorbs the low-frequency vibrations, and as long as the belt has the right tension, it doesn’t create speed irregularities. (Source)

Unfortunately, there’s nothing better than a turntable belt that fits everyone; Different straps from different manufacturers vary in length and width. These belts are made using different types of elastomeric materials.

So you have to be very careful when looking for a replacement for your turntable. You can either purchase a replacement for your model or the correct option with the same size as the one on your machine.

Until recently, all high-end turntables used a belt drive, but their popularity has declined since the advent of direct drive systems. Fortunately, both direct-drive and belt-drive systems have their supporters, but most DJs prefer direct-drive designs.

Some DJs prefer the belt drive systems because the slack of the belts makes it easy for them to manipulate the speed of the turntable. (Source)

Turntable belts are designed to last you a few years, but they tend to wear out over time with regular use. So if your device is running slow, it means it’s time for a replacement. Another standard indicator of a damaged belt is a change in the quality of the sound produced. If the belt is damaged, a record can sound lower or lower. (Source)

After opening the platter, you may notice signs of belt slippage around the edge of the platter. Some slippage symptoms are shiny gray pulleys in the turntable belts or dark, slick spots on the platter.

You may also see tiny rubber particles on the turntable motor pulley. It shows that the belt is slipping in the platter and motor and it’s time for a replacement. (Source)

How to replace an old turntable belt

As previously mentioned, turntable belts rarely break. So when they start to slip, you need to replace them. As the belt wears, its resistance decreases and the speed of the platter increases.

So you can find the speed of the platter is fast after you put the stylus on the platter. In addition, the length of the belt increases by about 5%, resulting in a reduction in drag and slippage.

Luckily, every turntable model has a replacement belt that’s made to fit that model, or a matching belt that’s customized for your machine. Also, replacing an old belt is relatively easy, and anyone can do it with minimal effort and tools.

However, be sure to clean off the dark, slick particles on the platter and motor surface before installing a new belt. To replace the turntable belt, you should do the following:

Diagnose the turntable belt and confirm if you need a replacement

If you suspect your belt is getting old, the main thing to look out for is whether the platter is spinning when you turn it on. If you notice a change in speed when playing a vinyl record, you need a replacement. To confirm the speed of the turntable you need a strobe disc.

A strobe or strobe disc is a circular device used to adjust and determine the speed of the turntable. The strobe disc helps you set the speed of your turntable when it’s new.

So if you find that the rate has increased, you can confirm this by inserting the disc into the player and running it. The strobe disc helps you ensure the turntable is running properly. (Source)

You can even tell if the platter belt length has increased by checking to see if the tension between the platter and the motor has eased. After confirming that the belt is the problem, you can remove it and look for a replacement.

Find the correct belt for the turntable

Remember that all belts are made differently. They differ in length, width and thickness. So you need the right option if you plan to listen to high-quality sounds. Finally, the dimensions of the belt make a big difference in how the record is played.

Therefore, you should replace it with the same belt whenever possible; This means that you have a replacement made for your specific type of turntable. (Source)

You can find the right option online by searching for your turntable replacement model. Fortunately, many websites offer turntable belts such as turntable belts; All you have to do is click on your model and build it. So before you order a replacement belt, here are a few things you should do:

Measure the length of the old belt and then subtract about 10mm to account for how much it has stretched over the years.

Measure its width and then place your order

If it is an old machine and you cannot find the original belt, you will need to measure the circumference of the platter hub with tape. Remember that the belt needs to be snug, so make sure you subtract about 10mm from the circumference of the platter to get the correct length of a replacement belt. (Source)

With the right measurement, you can place your order and ensure it’s made from durable elastomeric material.

Unplug the turntable and remove the plastic mat

Before even beginning any repair or replacement work on any electronic device, including the turntable, it is always a good idea to unplug it from the mains. It will help reduce the chance of getting an electric shock.

Electric shocks are rare, but for the safety of your motor and yourself, you should disconnect it from the power supply.

After unplugging, the next step is to remove the plastic mat. The plastic mat is on top of the turntable and the record rests on it when playing. Removing this mat from the center shaft is relatively easy; all you have to do is pull it out and set it aside. (Source)

Remove the turntable platter

Plates are the plastic or metal circles under the mat that are rotated by the motor. Most panels come with two access ports that allow you to access the motor, while others do not. The platters are usually attached to the turntable’s center shaft in different ways, but removing them can be fairly easy. For example:

Removal can be easy if the platter has a tiny C-shaped clip attached to its center shaft. All you have to do is pry it out with a flat head screwdriver and then loosen the plate.

If it doesn’t have a clip and resists being pulled out, then it’s pressed in. This allows you to pull it out while lightly tapping the center shaft with a hammer. (Source)

Clean the engine

Before replacing the belt, it’s a good idea to clean the engine, especially if you’ve never done it before or it looks dirty. Wipe the exposed parts of the motor with rubbing alcohol and a lint-free rag, removing all dirt and dust.

Tighten the turntable belt over the turntable hub

The belt needs to sit squarely over the center hub of the platter, so make sure you get it right. First you should make sure the belt is straight and then flip the platter over to access the center hub. Next, put as much strap as you can into the center hub. Remember that the belt does not need to be kinked or twisted in any way.

So if you find it has twisted after tightening it over the hub, you can remove it and then install it properly. If your new belt has a strap, you can line it up with one of the access holes. This allows you to pull the belt and run it over the motor.

If your platter doesn’t have an access hole, consider clamping it to a small post or peg. You can place a pencil near the edge of the board and stretch it across to create a round-bottomed triangle. The pin gives you access to the belt as you stretch it over the engine. (Source)

Turn the platter over and install the platter belt

After installing the belt, you can flip and reinstall the platter, but do not install the C-clip yet. Rotate it until the access holes can expose the motor. The turntable motor is a metal shaft that sits on the corner of your turntable. Remember that the strap must be hooked onto this in order for the turntable to play the record. So make sure you can reach through the holes and touch the motor.

If your turntable’s platter does not have an access hole, you should align the motor spindle with the pin or post you placed on the platter. Place the platter back in position and then turn it counterclockwise two full revolutions and clockwise two full revolutions to ease the belt engagement onto the motor shaft.

Hook the strap over the motor spindle

If your platter has access holes, you can pull the belt and stretch it over the motor’s spindle. Make sure the motor has a small cap on its spindle to hold the belt in place and prevent it from slipping off. Place the strap on the motor body after pulling it over the cap and make sure it is locked tight. (Source)

Test the belt

After you have stretched the belt over the motor, you should turn it both ways to check that it is working properly. And as you spin, make sure you get a light, even resistance. If the platter immediately stops or jerks, it means you didn’t install the belt properly. Therefore, check the new belt for twists and kinks before reinstalling and testing again.

If it is smooth, you should replace the C-clip on the center shaft and mat before plugging it in and pressing the start button.

Troubleshooting the turntable

The most common problem when replacing the platter belt is that it is not properly attached to the motor. So make sure the belt is under the little cap on the motor. Another problem that can affect engine rotation speed is a loose or tight belt. If the belt is loose, it cannot turn the engine.

And if it’s too tight, turning the platter by hand can be very difficult.

If this is the case, you should repeat the above steps and install them correctly.

How to stretch a turntable strap

Does the spinning speed of your turntable keep you up every night? (Nelson Kline, 2019) Well if this is the case you may have noticed a change in its speed and one of the main causes of this problem is a stretched belt.

Of course, belts stretch over time and while a stretch of around 6mm may seem too small, it can affect the speed of your turntable. (source) If it stretches even a few millimeters, the turntable will slow down.

However, if the stretched belt has no tears and is in excellent condition, you can shrink it back to normal instead of replacing it. To shrink it out, you should fold it in two and measure its size before putting it in hot water. So put the belt in a container and then boil some water in a kettle to boiling point. (Source)

Pour the boiled water over the turntable belt and let it work for about 5 minutes. Please take it out of the water and then measure its size again. You’ll notice a reduction in size, and if it hasn’t returned to its original size, you can repeat the process later.

Remember, the goal is to get it back to normal, and since you know its original size, you want it to shrink to that size.

frequently asked Questions

How long does a turntable belt last?

In general, turntable tapes can serve you between 3 and 5 years or even longer. But if you are the kind of person who uses the turntable every now and then, then it can serve you more than five years. Finally, the rate of wear depends on how often you use the machine.

How tight should my turntable belt be?

The right belt needs to be tight enough to grip the platter hub effortlessly and with little to no strain. It also needs to be tight enough to stay on the rim of the platter even after it’s turned upside down, and not too tight to put too much pressure on the motor’s bearings.

How do I know if the turntable belt is damaged?

There are a few signs that can tell you when you need to replace the belt and one of them is when the noise gets loud after the belt starts slipping. You will quickly notice the sudden change in the rotation speed of the turntable belt.

Conclusion

The turntable belt is one of the most important parts of a belt drive turntable. The belt is responsible for turning the turntable in order for the record to play. So don’t assume that all belts are the same or universal, and if your turntable belt is spoiled, install any belt you can find in the store. Instead, you should remove the belt, measure its length and width, and then order the exact model designed for your machine or a suitable replacement.

Sources

VacationVinyl.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Affiliate Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to enable websites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. We also participate in other affiliate programs that compensate us for referral traffic.

Straps for turntables

Free shipping on all turntable tapes

Our standard straps are 5mm wide and 0.6mm thick and range in diameter from 60mm to 292mm.

They are available in different lengths to fit a variety of turntables, especially all Japanese brands popular in the 70’s such as Akai, Aiwa, Apan, CDC, Denon, Hitachi, Kenwood, JVC, Luxman, Marantz, Onkyo, Panasonic, Pioneer, Technics, Sanyo, Sansui, Sharp, Toshiba, Yamaha, etc.

When you place your order, you need to choose the right size for your turntable.

These standard harnesses are not made for specific brands and models, but are made in a range of sizes to fit a variety of brands.

How do I determine which size?

To find out what size you need, you need to measure the diameter of the sub-platter. The sub-platter is the cylindrical section on the underside of the platter around which the belt travels. On some turntables it is a separate part and the platter stands out from it. On many turntables it is like this photo where there is a raised cylinder on the underside of the platter. You need to lift the plate and turn it over. To select the correct belt size, measure the diameter (the distance across the saucer, not around it). This is typically in the 140mm to 210mm range. Then choose the belt size just below the measurement. Example: If the diameter is 198mm, choose a 195 belt.

Refund warranty

We offer a 100% money back guarantee on our turntable belts. If for any reason it’s the wrong one, send it back and we’ll exchange it for the right one.

Our standard turntable belts are $25.95 with free shipping

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Listen to your favorite record, relax as the sound thumps in your cans, and you hear the slip – the music slows down for a few seconds, then speeds up again. You turn to see if anyone has entered the room and been fumbling with your record player – but no one is around. Time for a new turntable belt. But how long should your turntable belt last?

Most belt-drive turntables use a rubber-based, closed-loop belt that typically lasts up to 5 years or so. Belt life is determined by its quality, tightness, elasticity and use. Without use, a belt will last 5-6 years under typical conditions.

Not only will I share my experience with turntable belts, but I will also share a few tips and tricks to better maintain your belt drive turntable. First, let’s look at all things belt-related so you can make the most informed decisions about your belt-drive turntable. Let’s get into that.

How long turntable belts last – Explains the lifespan of turntable belts

As previously mentioned, several factors affect the life and useful life of a turntable belt. While I personally prefer direct drive turntables (since I’m a bit of a turntablist), belt drive turntables work best for isolating motor noise. Most of the time when I listen to vinyl at home, it’s because of my belt drive.

Due to rubber degradation, most rubber based turntable belts last up to 5 years depending on quality, use and exposure to light, oxygen and heat.

The problem with belt drives is that most belts are usually made of rubber. Newer turntables use a variety of materials, but rubber has always been the mainstay of the turntable belt.

Rubber degrades over time. Rubber wear is primarily caused by light, oxygen (ozone) or heat and is inevitable. (Source)

Rubber does a few things over time and exposure to the elements:

Rubber dries and cracks. Rubber becomes brittle. Rubber loses elasticity. Rubber loses tensile strength.

Air, light and heat are factors that affect the degradation process of rubber. Rubber breaks down in two main ways: molecular chain hardening and molecular chain cleavage. These correspond to the embrittlement of the rubber or the softening of the rubber.

These two rubber degradations are responsible for the majority of belt failures over time. With turntables, it is usually the first problem – hardening and brittleness of the belt. However, as the belt softens, it stretches and causes slippage, another common problem with belt-drive tables.

Therefore, the overall life of a belt is determined by the type of rubber, the amount of exposure to light, oxygen and heat, and the frequency of use.

Working regularly with my belt drive turntable, I found that I had to change the belt after about three years. That’s when I noticed the sound starting to warble and mutate. At first it was quite imperceptible, but one day it became more obvious and I had to admit that the platter belt was beaten.

Factors affecting the quality (and lifespan) of the turntable belt

I mentioned how exposure to the elements would accelerate wear and deterioration of the belt. Eliminating some of these factors can contribute to longer platter belt life.

To slow rubber belt degradation, you must limit or eliminate exposure of the belt to light, oxygen, and heat.

Light is easy, don’t leave the turntable upside down in the sun – pretty easy. Heat is pretty straight forward too – don’t mount your turntable over a heater or near a heat source. That’s correct; You can’t have your record player next to the fireplace if you want it to last, sorry.

The hardest part is oxygen. How do you keep a turntable belt away from oxygen without launching it into space? There’s actually a pretty neat solution: treat the belt.

Now, I’ve heard a lot of arguments for using belt conditioners from both sides. However, I would like to point out that most of the time they were busy reviving an already stiff belt.

Once a belt becomes weathered, brittle, or stretched, you need to replace it. Do not attempt to revive a belt that has already expired. It’s a waste of time trying.

However, if you just got a new turntable or a new belt for your turntable, you can treat the belt right away to prolong its life.

Use products recommended for high performance car engine belts. These conditioners tend to be the best for maintaining high quality rubber belts.

Before spraying or wiping any automotive product, however, it’s a good idea to contact the manufacturer and determine belt material specifications before applying any belt conditioner. The newer turntables use different types of rubber and you don’t want to use a conditioner that will damage the belt, so do your research based on your particular model and year of manufacture.

How often should you replace your turntable belt

Rubber platter belts have an estimated lifespan of about five years maximum. However, there are some clues that can point you to an immediate belt change. Let’s take a look at what these factors are.

Extended Ramp-up Pitch and Time Stalls Slips

When you turn on your turntable and press start, you know it takes about a second to get up to speed, right? It is typical of belt drive turntables that this is the case due to the physics of using a belt drive. However, if you notice that it is taking longer than usual to get up to speed, the belt is probably stretched and trying to grab but not getting there in time.

Pitch and time delays can be more difficult to hear unless you have audiophile hearing. As a turntablist, I notice the tiniest pitch or time shifts in tracks that I know well, but you might miss them when they first start.

Pitch and time stalls occur when a turntable belt begins to stretch or become brittle. As it stretches, it loosens on the motor and platter pulleys, allowing backlash to lock momentum. As the belt becomes hard and brittle, hard spots can form where the belt does not rotate as easily around the small engine pulley. This situation will cause the belt to bind on the small pulley as the brittle point sticks out because it doesn’t want to bend around the pulley. It slows down the music for a second until the brittle spot above the little pulley pops.

Slips are the obvious sign that you should replace a belt. You can’t miss a note. You hear your music and there is a noticeable stopping or change in sound for a second or two. It’s a sure thing that you need a new belt when the old one starts slipping.

Should your belt be replaced with an OEM belt?

I’ve talked to a lot of people about turntables over the years. Most of the time it is about the direct drive or the newest and newest technology. But I’m also often asked whether a turntable belt should have the original manufactured replacement belt, or whether a generic belt with the exact dimensions is appropriate.

You can find out the answer to OEM platter belt replacement after asking a few questions.

Is the OEM belt still available? Is the non-OEM belt better quality than the OEM? Is the turntable good?

If you answered yes to question 1 and no to question 2, skip question 3 and buy the OEM model.

If you answered no to question 1, you have no choice, buy the aftermarket belt.

If the turntable is a cheap or low-quality variety, an aftermarket belt is likely better. In this case, too, the answer is obvious: always get the higher quality belt.

When I buy belts for my turntables, I follow one rule: I buy two and weld one of them together for later use. It’s a trick, a DJ friend of mine told me. He had an old Linn LP 12 but couldn’t find a replacement belt at the time. He found an old record store with some newer belts because the owner had sealed them and kept them in a box in his basement.

My friend bought two belts, put one on the table right away and put the other in a box. Four years later, he used the boxed replacement. It saved him years later from finding a second belt, and by shrink-wrapping the belt it was preserved for future use. That was a pretty neat trick I thought.

VacationVinyl.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Affiliate Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to enable websites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. We also participate in other affiliate programs that compensate us for referral traffic.

This post contains affiliate links.

Turntables (or vinyl record players, depending on how you think of them) are complicated machines. They’re not as easy to use as “press play” with your iPods, iPhones, and DVD players. Because of this, we came across the question of how tight a turntable belt should be.

The key to determining a turntable’s belt tension is balance. The grip must not be too tight that it interferes with the whole mechanism and creates too much friction, but not too loose that it doesn’t work at all.

In this article, let’s tighten our seat belts and learn how tight a platter belt should be and the processes to determine this.

What is a turntable belt anyway?

Before attempting to answer how tight a turntable should be, we should first learn to define what a turntable belt is. So really what is a turntable belt?

Turntable belts are essential parts of belt-driven turntables, but are not present on direct-drive turntables. The main difference between belt drive turntables and direct drive turntables is that belt drive turntables use platter belts as a method of rotating the platter. The direct drive ones use a motor to drive the coater instead, eliminating the need for belts. (1)

Turntable belts are essential parts of belt-driven turntables, but are not present on direct-drive turntables.

In a belt-driven turntable, the belts are required for the cartridge to navigate through the record, which ultimately helps the turntable read data and express it in the form of sound. If you use a belt-driven turntable, you know the added complexity of using such technology. One of the additional complexities is illustrated and summarized in the question of how dense a turntable should be.

Balance is key: how tight a turntable belt should be

Turntable belts are essential parts of belt-driven turntables, and ensuring their suitability is critical to better sound quality and more stable feedback. Despite its essentiality, many audiophiles still get bogged down in the “appropriateness” of their turntable belt. So we tried to ask ourselves the same question.

With questions like these, it’s quite difficult to define a quick and precise answer. However, we have specific guidelines to help answer how tight your turntable belt should be.

A key to understanding how the standard goes is to know that a platter belt is not balanced. Some turntable belts are thicker while others are thinner, so knowing this “balance” is crucial to overriding such disparate factors. As such, we have defined the general guidelines below.

Platter belts must not be so loose that they lose their grip, because a loose platter belt is no more valuable than a puff of air trying to lift a block of wood. In addition, you must also ensure that it is not over tightened as this risks interfering with the operation of your turntable. To determine proper tightness, make sure the turntable platter rotates evenly and smoothly, with no jerking or signs of tension. (2)

We mostly recommend having your platter belts tighter than loose. However, we always remind other audiophiles that a turntable belt that is too tight can damage your gear, so make sure you’re on the right track.

Speaking of damage, the stress caused by tight turntable belts greatly affects the mechanisms, the motor used to turn the belt or bearings, and more. In addition, it can cause your turntable to stall completely and repairs can cost you many times the belt’s original price. (2)

Size matters

We always remind our audiophiles to have a suitable belt diameter for their turntables. It can prevent extra stress on the turntable while reducing the possibility of loose installations.

There are five standard belt diameters to consider for your turntables. Make sure you have the right one. The standard diameters are the following: 128mm diameter belt, 150mm diameter belt, 172mm diameter belt, 206mm diameter belt and 300mm diameter belt.

So next time you look at some of the platter belt diameters available, be sure to constantly evaluate them against the general guidelines as this is how tight a platter belt should be.

Why do people still use belt driven turntables?

If you haven’t noticed, direct-drive turntables offer a much smoother, less clunky experience than belt-drive turntables, and therefore offer a more direct and easier-to-navigate experience. Because belt-driven turntables have significantly larger moving parts compared to the tiny motors of direct-drive turntables, many have wondered why belt-driven turntables even exist.

The price matters

As the direct drive turntables take a smaller approach to their technology implementation, it also bears the cost of miniaturization. Simply put, all this technology and all the engineering marvels required to make the package a little smaller and less clunky will obviously add to the cost of the overall product. For this reason, it is most obvious that the direct drive turntables are significantly more expensive than the belt drive turntables.

Other reasons besides the technology driving up the cost is the inherent cost of the belts compared to motors. Unlike the less complex belts, engines are intricate and complex mechanical components used in many machines today.

As with most audiophiles: it sounds better

The main reason many choose to buy belt drive turntables is of course the sound. For most audiophiles, sound quality should be one of the most important characteristics or variables of audio equipment. In the case of belt-drive and direct-drive turntables, simply put, audiophiles prefer the sound produced by belt-drive turntables. (3)

Why exactly do belt drive turntables sound better than direct drive turntables? The real answer: Engineering. By their very nature, motors are said to be much louder than belts, and for an audio device, any unnecessary noise is a big variable that can significantly affect sound quality. Unlike engines, belts run more smoothly, eliminating or at least mitigating excessive noise.

While the belt-driven turntables sound better, they still have a sense of chunkiness, as explained by the constant questioning, “How tight a turntable should be and more.” Speaking of chunky, that leads us straight to our next segment.

Where the direct drive turntables win

As previously mentioned, direct drive turntables and turntables are often much less clunky than their belt driven counterparts. However, these are not the only variables and features that direct drive turntables have significantly improved over their belt-driven predecessors.

Most DJs use direct drive turntables simply because it allows them to change where the turntables spin. It will allow them to achieve the signature DJ “scratching” sound. (3)

In addition, the smaller moving parts on these players also last longer than the belt on belt-driven turntables. In contrast to the more stable engines, belts are more likely to fail and at the same time require more frequent maintenance.

Frequently asked questions about turntable belts

How do I maintain the integrity of my belt driven platter belts?

To maintain the integrity of your turntable belts, always check them from time to time to ensure you are using the correct diameter and thickness. Also, we recommend everyone not to wait until the turntable belt is completely unusable before changing the belt.

How do I replace my turntable belt?

Replacing a platter belt is not a mentally intense exercise, nor is it physically demanding. We recommend removing the rubber mat first as this will expose the belt. Then lift the plate.

The belt will then be completely exposed and we will have to replace it. Grab your new platter belt and place it on the underside of the platter, lining it up with the inner circle. Slowly slide the platter upside down and place it back onto the platter, bringing back any parts removed.

How often should I replace my belts?

We recommend replacing them every three to five years, depending on mileage.

Sources

VacationVinyl.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Affiliate Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to enable websites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. We also participate in other affiliate programs that compensate us for referral traffic.

Follow these steps if the platter is not spinning:

Make sure the turntable is plugged into the power outlet. Move the lever on the motor drive gear inward to allow the platter to rotate. Place the drive belt over the notched guide on the engine pulley. Make sure the drive belt is not twisted.

Don’t forget to remove the tape you wrapped the drive belt with. Re-sync the tonearm to the platter. Press the UP/DOWN button. The tonearm is lifted off the tonearm stand. Turn the plate clockwise by hand. The tonearm moves towards the outer edge of the turntable. Stop spinning when you hear a click. Move the tonearm towards the inner part of the platter by hand, and then turn the platter clockwise again. The tonearm hovers just above the tonearm stand. Stop spinning when you hear a click. Press the UP/DOWN button. Press the START button. The platter should now be spinning and the arm will swing over the platter to search for a record.

If you’ve tried all of the above steps and you’re still having the issue, then a repair may be needed. Go to Product Repair.

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I thought this was nothing but a piece of rubber. Why wouldn’t a big rubber band work? Belt drive turntables literally spin with the help of a rubber belt. So I went through a 1/2 pound bag of different sized rubber bands I bought at a local office supply store and found several large bands and tried one on the turntable and to my surprise it worked. The speed seems very close and I detect almost no distortion and just a faint noise from the rubber band moving as it spins. It is fully masked when music is playing.

In today’s high tech and high tech era, a simple throwback to the past has helped my turntable stay connected to my PC. Cost?… Not nearly $14. Long live rubber bands and paperclips…

Put on …

Old against new

This post was edited by Roseman: Sep 1, 2008 1:11 am My belt drive turntable recently broke due to the belt becoming old and stretched. Once I saw what the problem was I went online to find a replacement belt. I found several sources that were the size my turntable needed, with prices ranging from $14 to $21. I thought this was nothing but a piece of rubber. Why wouldn’t a big rubber band work? Belt drive turntables literally spin with the help of a rubber belt. So I went through a 1/2 pound bag of different sized rubber bands I bought at a local office supply store and found several large bands and tried one on the turntable and to my surprise it worked. The speed seems very close and I detect almost no distortion and just a faint noise from the rubber band moving as it spins. It is fully masked when music is playing. In today’s high tech and cutting edge era, a simple throwback to the past helped my turntable stay connected to my PC. Cost?… Not nearly $14. Long live rubber bands and paperclips……

At some point in the career of most music producers, the subject of DJing comes into focus. If you’re not a DJ yet but produce some form of electronic music, chances are someone has already asked you if you are. If you’ve been thinking about learning it but aren’t sure where to start, then today’s article will help you! Even if you don’t necessarily want to be Grand Wizzard Theodore, having a good DJ turntable on hand can be a great production tool. From scratching to sampling, we cover everything you need to know in this article.

Belt drive vs direct drive

Ah, the age old question of belt drive versus direct drive. If you’ve ever considered purchasing a turntable, you’ve most likely encountered this question. My very first turntables were belt driven and at the time I had no idea of ​​the differences. It wasn’t until I started learning to mix them that I realized I was going to have a problem. Without going into too many details, let’s take a quick look at the key differences so you can make an informed decision.

belt drive

On a belt-driven turntable, the motor is on the side of the platter. The platter and motor are then, you guessed it, connected by a belt. Made of rubber, the belt helps isolate the motor from the platter, resulting in fewer problems with motor noise such as vibration. For this reason most audiophile turntables are belt driven. However, the downside of this in terms of owning a DJ turntable is that the power delivery to the platter isn’t great. It’s possible to DJ on a belt-drive turntable, but you’ll have a hard time getting the timing right. This is because it’s difficult to account for the time it takes for the platter to spin to full speed once you take your hand away.

direct drive

On a direct drive DJ turntable, the motor is located directly below the platter. They connect instantly and the motor spins the platter directly. As you can imagine, this makes the device a bit more susceptible to noise and engine vibration. Not a big deal if you’re going to cut it up anyway, but it can be noticeable if you only listen to LPs. However, this compromise in noise is offset by much higher torque. Direct power to the platter means the platter spins into overdrive almost instantly when you press play or take your hand off the platter. Perfect for recorded and live mixing and scratching!

Now that we’ve got the technical part out of the way, what does it all mean? Simply put, what you should take away from this is that if you want to do anything that involves speed, like mixing or scratching, you’re better off going with a direct drive DJ turntable. However, if you’re looking for a turntable that can be used more as a production tool (e.g. for sampling), a belt-driven drive might make more sense for noise reduction.

Additional features in a DJ turntable

Now that we’ve decided what kind of turntable we need, it’s time to look at what else a DJ turntable can offer us. In recent years, the concept of the turntable has become more and more technical. The integration of digital technology with this analog medium has led to a variety of new ways to play. If you’ve decided that belt drive is best for you, you probably don’t need much of what we’re about to explore. The added expense for these features should instead focus on finding a turntable with the best motor and belt you can afford. However, if you’re looking for a real weapon of a turntable to mix and edit with, these features might capture your imagination.

Typical functions

Since the advent of the DJ turntable, some features have become a staple. Most turntables probably don’t have these, but it’s good to pay attention to what you’re looking at when you go shopping. On the right you will find your speed controls. This typically consists of a fader and 2 or 3 switch buttons. Here you can go from 33 1/3 to 45 RPM (and sometimes 78 RPM) and fine tune the RPM by a certain percentage. Traditionally this is +/- 8% but newer turntables can be +/- 12% or even have a switch to allow +/- 16%.

On the left side you will find power and start/stop switches. I don’t think I need to explain what these do. Another fairly typical feature of a DJ turntable these days is a light source. This little pop out light is usually located at the bottom of the panel and is super handy if you ever find yourself in a nightclub situation or if you like listening to music late at night.

The wonders of modern technology

Now we come to some of the newer things to expect on a DJ turntable. This is basically the symbiosis of analog and digital. Many turntables can now be paired with DJ software (things like Serato) to offer the tactile experience of vinyl alongside the speed and efficiency of a computer. In the early days of this development, the idea was simple. Connect your turntable to a conversion box that uses timecode to tell your laptop where you are in the song. Easy.

Now the design and integration of these become even more amazing. Many recent turntable designers have begun incorporating digital buttons (essentially MIDI controllers) into their turntables. This puts things like hot cueing and effects within reach if you get crazy with the cuts. If you want full versatility and the ability to create some crazy mixes, this might be worth considering.

Preamp or not preamp

Once you’ve decided what type of drive you need and know which of the features are important to you, there’s really only one thing left to consider. Connecting to your speakers. If you’re looking at DJ turntables with an eye for mixing, chances are you need two decks. That means you’ll also need a DJ mixer to connect them to.

All DJ mixers have built-in preamps, so you just output the mixer to your speakers and voilà! However, if you decide to only use a single turntable for listening and sampling, you need to think about gain staging to amplify that signal.

Many good budget turntables on the market today have a built in preamp. This means you can just flip a switch and the signal can be sent straight to the speakers. Super practical and a real money saver. However, if you want to route the signal to more than one location (e.g. speakers as well as a PC or a sampler), you will need multiple outputs. A great budget option here would be the Behringer PP400. This nifty little box converts your turntable to line level so you can connect it to your stereo or sampler or mixing console via RCA or TRS audio cables. Unfortunately, the two outputs can’t be used simultaneously, but a quick plug and unplug the cables and you’re good to go.

My recommendations

Now that you have all the information, it’s time to decide what to buy. I want to give you three recommendations for my current market favorites, but the choice is yours.

The Primary E is a robust, well built belt drive turntable for quality listening. This turntable is the kind of purchase you expect to work like the first day, ten years from now. This beautiful turntable comes standard with a very high quality Ortofon cartridge and has been carefully machined to produce almost no vibration. Best of all, it’s plastic-free, so it’s eco-conscious and far from flimsy!

This modest offering from Reloop is a perfect entry point for anyone looking to get into scratching and/or mixing. Reloop is known for its high-quality construction designs and innovative thinking. You can never go wrong with a large collection of turntables. I recommend the RP-1000M simply for its price and functionality, but if you want a few more bells and whistles just take a look at the models from this one onwards. You will not be disappointed!

Reloop really makes a good DJ turntable. As mentioned earlier in this article, the merging of analog and digital is real. This Reloop RP8000 does just that. With its sleek design, seamless Serato integration and array of digital control switches, this turntable lets you do things people only dreamed of. It really has everything!

TL;DR

Buying a turntable is like buying a car. You have to know what everything does and you have to know that it is suitable for your intentions. First decide between belt or direct drive. If you want to mix and scratch, you should ideally use direct drive. However, if you’re more interested in audio fidelity, a belt drive might be better. Now that you’ve decided, take a look at some of the features that turntables might have. You don’t have to pay extra for features you’ll never use. Finally, check whether you need a preamp or not. A turntable without a preamp is like a car without gas. You’re not going anywhere. With all this new knowledge, you should now be ready to become a DJ!

If vinyl is best, I believe with all my heart that it’s the best way to enjoy music.

However, as with all physical media, there are several reasons why it may not be performing at its best.

If your turntable or record player sounds distorted, there’s a good chance the cause falls into one of the following categories on this page.

So let’s not waste any more time. We’ll get you back to putting on great-sounding records faster than you can say, “Vinyl is final.”

Pen/needle dirty

Perhaps the most common and easiest to troubleshoot why a turntable or record player sounds distorted is a dirty needle.

The needle (more accurately known as the stylus) is the tiny diamond point that follows the record groove. As it moves across the record, it occasionally picks up dirt and dust from the record surface along the way.

Slowly but surely, the dirt collects on the needle tip, hindering its ability to accurately track the groove.

The result? Your records will sound distorted.

Dust and dirt buildup on the stylus are particularly annoying when you play a lot of older used records, but they’ll still rear their ugly heads on your crisp new records.

Keeping dust out is an essential part of the vinyl format. You must invest in a stylus cleaning kit and use it regularly.

You can of course reduce the amount of stylus cleaning required by keeping your records clean. Clean records protect your cartridge, since dirt, dust and soot accelerate wear.

The pen needs to be replaced

While cleaning your records and stylus will help prolong the life of your stylus, you will inevitably need to replace it occasionally.

As a guide, a diamond needle should be replaced after 800 to 1,000 hours of play (that’s about four albums a day for a year). For more information, see our complete guide to pen/needle life.

A record player or record player needle is usually made of diamond (sometimes sapphire). Because diamond is the hardest surface known to man, a typical diamond will last longer than a cheaper sapphire design.

Despite the durability of your pen, they travel a remarkable distance (roughly 1,500 feet on each side of an average LP). With that in mind, the surface is slowly but surely wearing away, leading to a deterioration in sound quality.

You can use a jeweler’s loop or a magnifying glass to examine the pin for flat spots that indicate significant wear. Alternatively, make a habit of swapping out the needle for a new one at least once a year before distortion even takes hold.

Depending on how often you play records, once a year can be a good habit if you want to avoid damaging your records or getting a distorted, harsh sound.

Why do my vinyl records sound distorted? Worn or badly pressed records

Sometimes the cause of distortion is the record itself.

If a record is very popular and played to death, significant groove wear can result depending on how well the previous owner maintained the records and maintained their turntable.

Try swapping the record and listening again. If you can narrow down the problem to just one or two specific records, it is likely that record is causing the problem.

Sometimes cleaning the record will help restore sound quality by removing distortion caused by dirt and dust, but if the record has significant groove wear (or significant scratches), no cleaning will save the sound quality.

In other cases, the problem lies with the pressing or mastering of the record. Mastering for vinyl is a very specific skill that takes years of experience to perfect.

When mastering and cutting a record, if the parameters and idiosyncrasies of vinyl are not taken into account, audio problems can arise.

These problems can manifest themselves as excessive hiss, distortion, or just a dull, lifeless sound.

A particularly poor example from my own collection is my copy of Norah Jones – Come Away With Me, which suffers from excessive hiss (especially on the vocals), which is probably due to a CD master being blanketly applied to all formats, inclusive vinyl .

A great mastering engineer knows how to play to vinyl’s strengths.

Misaligned cartridge or platter assembly

This is a bit more difficult to troubleshoot, but it’s a very common cause of why a turntable produces a distorted sound.

If you own an all-in-one turntable (as opposed to a separate turntable, amp, and speakers), there’s a good chance the pickup position is fixed from the factory.

Therefore, this cause of why a turntable or turntable will sound distorted is almost exclusively aimed at setups with a user-replaceable cartridge.

When installing a cartridge in the tonearm, you can’t just tighten the screws and hope for the best. The cartridge needs to be aligned in a very specific way to optimize tracking across the record surface.

Simply put, if misaligned, your stylus will not sit properly in the groove and the resulting sound will be distorted.

As your tonearm sweeps across the surface of the record, there are two points where the stylus aligns perfectly with the linearly cut record groove.

For the best overall performance across the entire record from start to finish, it is important to perfectly align the cartridge to these two zero points using a cartridge protractor.

Pickup alignment is the most obvious problem when it comes to incorrect turntable setup resulting in distorted or muffled sound. But other important setup parameters, including tracking force, anti-skate (or bias), among other factors, all play a role in tracking performance.

Check out our full guides on installing a cartridge and setting up your turntable to get your deck set up for optimal performance.

Incorrect system setup or mismatched equipment

Very often it’s the most obvious flaws that can cause distortion in an audio system. If you’ve checked the pin, tried multiple platters, and made sure the turntable is set up correctly, the problem could be coming from a problem further down the signal chain.

Double check that everything is connected as it should be.

For example, did you connect the turntable to a suitable phono input or phono preamp? If your turntable does not have a built-in phono stage, you will need an external phono preamp or a receiver/amplifier with a phono input to properly amplify the signal.

Without a phono stage, the playback sounds quiet and tinny. (Read our guide to phono preamps and why you need one, linked here).

Other problems within the broader audio system could include an input impedance mismatch between the pickup and your phono preamp.

In order not to get too complex in the context of this article, I just want to emphasize that there are two types of cartridges, moving magnet designs and moving coil designs.

Moving coil designs produce a much smaller signal at a lower impedance level and therefore require an additional gain stage on the phono preamp. You also need a much lower load impedance at the input stage.

Some amplifiers or phono preamps have a separate or switchable input stage for moving coil cartridges. Therefore, check whether you are correctly set for your pickup type. Moving magnet cartridges are by far the most common.

Some phono preamps allow the user to adjust the input load impedance for optimal performance over a variety of different cartridges. (Check your phono preamp specs or manual for your cartridge’s optimum load impedance and set the input accordingly for best performance and sound quality).

In summary, however, most affordable cartridges have a moving magnet and are designed to work with most standard phono input stages preset.

If you’re just starting your vinyl journey, your system is probably fine as long as you plug the deck into an input labeled “phono” or a suitable external moving-magnet phono preamp.

The Cambridge Audio Duo with switchable MM and MC input types

Amplifier or speaker problems

Distortion or sound quality problems caused by amplifiers or speakers can be more difficult to diagnose.

Start by reviewing the basics:

The problem could be as simple as poorly applied user settings. For example, some amplifiers have built-in EQ that could distort the sound if used poorly. Smooth out the settings and make small changes to taste.

To distinguish if the amp or speakers are causing the problem, try plugging headphones into the amp. If the sound on your headphones is clean, the problem is probably with your speakers.

The same process can be used on a separate phono preamp stage by connecting headphones directly to the preamp (if your model has a separate headphone amp). If the sound is clean on the preamp stage but not on the amplifier stage, it’s safe to say the problem is with your amp.

Turntable Sounds Distorted: The End Result

If this all sounds easy, that’s because it is. Troubleshooting distortion or poor audio quality is always a process of elimination.

Start with the initial phase and slowly work your way through the other possible causes, slowly reducing the variables until you determine the exact cause.

The vast majority of problems can be solved by applying a little maintenance and making sure the turntable is set up correctly. Troubleshooting faulty devices further down the signal chain can be a little tricky (and often quite frustrating), but with a little patience and a methodical approach, you’ll be breaking records again in no time.

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“How do you lubricate a Technics turntable?” is a question that needs a thorough answer. This particular turntable is expensive, so enthusiasts take care of it as best they can. This way they can maintain the quality of their turntable.

To lubricate a Technics turntable you must:

Remove the platter and clean off any grease residue

Apply about a pea-sized amount of lubricant into the spindle hole

Place the turntable back on the turntable and let it run for 1-2 hours to distribute the grease. (Source)

A turntable is undoubtedly an expensive piece of equipment. So, apart from lubrication, you also need to know how to take proper care of it.

How do you lubricate a turntable?

A turntable is a type of device that requires mechanical precision in order to function properly. When one of its parts doesn’t work as it should, the entire turntable gets messed up.

“How do you lubricate a Technics turntable?” is a question that needs a thorough answer. This particular turntable is expensive, so enthusiasts take care of it as best they can.

One of the problems that can mess up a turntable is insufficient lubrication. When the moving parts of the turntable become dry, they do not spin smoothly, which can affect sound quality.

So how do you lubricate a Technics turntable and other types of turntables in general?

Lubricate the bearing

Turntable bearing lubrication is essential to maintain the proper speed of your turntable. Proper platter bearing lubrication can even affect the overall life of the turntable. On the other hand, the turntable will be damaged, which can make it unusable.

In addition, the lubrication of the platter bearing can disappear with regular play of the device. It can also get dirty if the metals rub against each other.

However, you must regularly check whether the turntable axle has enough oil. Ideally, you should renew the lubrication after three years of continuous use of the turntable.

Apply a pea-sized amount of grease to the platter bearing. Then turn on the turntable and let it spin to distribute the oil evenly.

Lubricate the cartridge

How to lubricate a Technics turntable and other turntables? In addition to lubricating the platter bearing, it is important to note that the pickup also dries out over time.

The needle or diamond grooves continuously with the record. Because of this, it suffers from degradation in the long run. The higher your turntable has a high tracking force, the faster the needle wears out.

In addition, the rubber of the cartridge suspension loses its lubrication over time. When this happens, the rubber hardens and becomes less sensitive. This reduces the playback quality of the turntable. (Source)

To avoid this problem, you need to properly lubricate the cartridge. For this step you must:

Remove and clean bracket

Check for hard, cracked rubber or dents

Check if the outer edge has become slippery

Clean any grease or dirt buildup in the axle bore

Apply a dab of grease to the bottom of the idler hole, being careful not to grease the rubber surfaces (source)

How do you lubricate a Technics turntable?

Lubricating your Technics turntable is similar to lubricating any other turntable. You must clean the parts carefully and make sure that no dust, dirt or grease is left behind.

However, it is important to note that you should never use cleaning products that contain alcohol, thinner or gasoline. Also, you should avoid wiping the platter bearing with a chemical duster. The reason for this is that chemical and harsh cleaning agents can ruin the finish of your turntable and affect the audio quality.

After cleaning the platter and platter bearing, the next thing you need to do is lubricate them. So how do you lubricate a Technics turntable?

For every 2000 hours of use on your Technics turntable, you need to apply two to three drops of lubricant. Then turn on your Technics turntable like you would any other turntable and let it run for about an hour or two. In this way, the applied oil is distributed evenly. (Source)

Servicing your Technics turntable

The popularity of turntables is increasing significantly. But since most turntables you can find on the market were made a long time ago, they can be expensive to buy.

But no matter how expensive your turntable is, keeping it in good condition isn’t difficult or costly. The key to keeping your turntable in top shape despite constant use is regular maintenance. This means you need to keep your turntable clean and in tune. Proper care also contributes to the long life of your turntable.

If you happen to have a Technics turntable, knowing how to lubricate a Technics turntable is not enough. Instead, you also need to know how to take care of your turntable to maintain its quality.

Request support for your turntable

As you cross your room, your footsteps tend to shake your record player. To prevent this, you need to choose the right platform for your turntable.

It would be best if you prevented your turntable from vibrating to avoid messing up its parts. The reason for this is that shaking of the turntable disturbs its signal. This way you can prevent the device from having a distorted sound.

Clean the needle with a carbon fiber brush

Your turntable will jump and produce a distorted sound when dirt and dust build up on the stylus. This is why you must have an excellent carbon fiber pen brush. You can also use mild detergents to maintain the excellent quality of your stylus.

In addition, it is ideal for replacing the pin every 3000 hours of use. This way you can keep the good audio quality of your turntable.

Replace the turntable belt every few years

If you have a belt drive turntable, it’s not enough to be able to answer “how do you lubricate a Technics turntable?”. But you also need to know when to replace certain parts.

For example, you should know when it’s time to replace the platter belt.

It would be best to replace the belt the moment you see it slipping lower than usual on its pulley. If the belt slips when opening the turntable, this indicates that the belt already needs to be replaced.

Correctly calibrate the anti-shake, tracking force, and height settings

Proper calibration is critical to avoiding increased record wear and needle skipping.

In addition, it is important to inspect all parts of your turntable to get the best quality it can offer. But you need to know how many superior arms are important for the tone arms. It is considered one of the essential parts of your turntable.

Line up your anti-skate counterweight

Your turntable’s anti-skate counterweight ensures that your needle sits perfectly in the center of the grooves as the record spins. Proper alignment is critical as it can greatly affect how your stylus sits in the grooves of your record.

Knowing how to lubricate a Technics turntable is not enough. Instead, it is just as important that the anti-shake counterweight is properly aligned to keep the stylus from moving away from the record grooves. (Source)

Related Articles

Sources

How to Grease a Technics Turntable This particular turntable is expensive, so enthusiasts take care of it as best they can. This way they can maintain the quality of their turntable. To lubricate a Technics turntable, you need to… Read more

A step-by-step guide to cleaning your Technics 1210 This post contains affiliate links. Technics make a fantastic bunch of turntables. However, maintaining your turntable is essential to keep it in good condition. The 1210 model is no different in its maintenance requirements. However, knowing the proper way to perform a cleaning service is crucial to proper turntable maintenance. The process of cleaning a… Read more

The differences between Technics 1200 and 1210 This post contains affiliate links. Technics 1200 are known as some of the best direct drive turntables in the business. The turntable has dominated the industry for decades and is considered the benchmark for the competition. But what is the difference between the SL-1200 and the slightly more expensive SL-1210 models? let’s find out The technique… Read more

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To wear a belt as a young man, choose one that matches your attire. For example, for everyday wear, you can use any material you want. However, if you dress smartly, you should use a leather belt. You should also try to find a belt with a smaller buckle if you’re dressing smartly, but larger buckles are fine for casual wear. When you are ready to put the belt on, take the end and slide it through the first loop on the left. Then thread the belt through all the loops until it is in front again. Finally, secure the buckle so it’s tight enough to hold your pants up, but not so tight that it puts pressure on your stomach. For more tips including how to use a belt clip, read on!

Has your turntable stopped spinning?

Don’t worry, you probably won’t need to buy a new one.

There are many possible causes of a platter not spinning, and most are fairly easy to diagnose and fix.

Often it’s simply because you don’t know how to play a turntable properly.

I’ll help you figure out exactly what’s causing the problem on your turntable and then help you fix it.

For most problems, you don’t need any special skills to take care of the problem yourself. And the best tool you’ll need is a screwdriver, although you probably won’t even need that.

Let’s start by reviewing the most common causes when a turntable has stopped spinning.

Why do turntables stop spinning?

Turntables stop spinning for a number of reasons. To accurately diagnose the problem, it always helps to understand how a turntable works. This is true whether you have a direct drive turntable or a belt drive turntable.

With that in mind, I’ve covered some of the basics of how turntables work, to help you more easily diagnose and solve your particular problem.

Arm does not reset

When your turntable suddenly stops working, it’s only natural to assume the worst, especially if nothing like this has happened before.

While it’s easy to feel like something is broken inside the turntable and that your favorite device is beyond salvage, this is rarely the case with a turntable that has stopped spinning.

A possible problem could simply be that the arm has not reset. If that’s the problem, great! It’s very easy to fix.

Most manual turntables have a tonearm that must be returned to the reset position in order for it to function properly. If it is not reset, the player will not spin.

If it seems like the tonearm isn’t pushed back far enough, simply lift it up and move it to the right. You should hear a clicking sound to indicate it has been reset.

This is a surprisingly common problem that has many turntable users wondering what they did wrong. Always make sure to always reset the arm before you start playing a new record to avoid this problem.

Belt problems

If the turntable is a belt drive model (read between belt drive and direct drive), it’s possible that the belt has become loose or has crumbled. If the belt is out of place or damaged, the platter will stop spinning.

Because of this, it is imperative to first understand where the problem lies. If the strap is just loose or improperly seated, you can fix this problem by repositioning or tightening the strap.

However, if the belt is completely worn out, you will need to buy a new one, as a belt-driven turntable cannot function properly without it. Belt problems are common in belt drive turntables such as Music Hall’s MMF 1.3.

Problem with the direct drive

With direct drive turntables it can be difficult to pinpoint the problem. Another possible cause of a platter not spinning could be problems with the internal mechanism of the direct drive motor.

With direct drive turntables, there are numerous possible reasons for a turntable malfunction. This includes debris and dirt stuck in the engine components and shaft. A jammed platter or a faulty power switch can also cause problems. There’s also a chance that the motor is losing power or (ideally, although you may feel like an idiot) the player is simply not plugged in.

While it’s generally not too difficult to fix these problems yourself, figuring out which parts need replacing and then finding the appropriate replacement parts can be difficult.

Regular maintenance is the best way to prevent such problems. Keeping the device clean and free of debris is a good precaution. Regular care and oiling also help to extend the life of a turntable.

How to fix a turntable that spins too slowly

Sometimes the problem isn’t that your turntable isn’t spinning at all, it’s that it’s spinning too slowly. This obviously distorts the sound, so it’s something you’ll want to fix.

The good news is that it’s usually an easy fix. It’s best to start with the simplest solutions and work your way up. And easiest of all is easy cleaning and routine maintenance.

cleaning and maintenance

Often a turntable will not spin at the right speed because of dirt holding it back or too much friction. Therefore, your first step should be a thorough cleaning of the platter along with some extra lubrication.

When you have cleaned everything, put a few drops of oil on the motor shaft and on the area where the spindle enters the housing. Use synthetic oil that weighs twenty.

If cleaning and lubrication didn’t solve the problem, it’s time to take a look at the belt.

Adjust or replace the belt

The first thing you want to do is make sure the belt isn’t rubbing against another part of the turntable. If it doesn’t, it could be that the belt has stretched a bit.

It is not uncommon for the belt to stretch by a few millimeters and that is enough to slow down the turntable. If it does, it’s best to replace it, but you can also try shrinking it back first.

The best way to achieve this is to boil the belt. Just boil some water, then turn off the stove and put the belt in the hot water. Let it soak for 4-8 minutes before removing. It should have shrunk back to its original size.

If the belt is not stretched too much, you can also fix the problem by putting some talcum powder on the inserts and pulley. This increases friction, reduces slippage and brings the belt into closer contact with the pulley.

Fine tune adjustments

If nothing else fixed the speed issue, it’s time to get serious. You need to do some fine tuning on the turntable motor.

To do this, you should find the manual for your model. If you don’t have it anymore, there’s a good chance you can find it online. Manuals are often available on manufacturers’ websites.

If you don’t have an owner’s manual handy, you’ll have to find the adjustment screws yourself. Two common locations are under the turntable and on the underside of the turntable itself.

Turning these screws clockwise speeds up the platter. Turning counterclockwise slows it down. Make sure the device is completely level before making any adjustments.

This process is a trial and error process. Make small adjustments and test. You can test by hearing, but it would probably be more accurate to use a strobe disc to check the rotation speed.

If you have the opposite problem and the turntable is spinning too fast, read this article.

Tips to keep your turntable running

Turntables stop spinning when there is a problem with the motor or belt. Timely maintenance and cleaning will keep the turntable in good condition.

Take the time to oil and dust the turntables and regularly check the condition of the belt. Focus on keeping the power buttons dust free and make sure you cover the turntable with a dust cover.

Additionally, if you feel that the sound quality, pitch, and speed are lacking, check the turntable for signs of belt failure.

Like any other piece of equipment, a turntable needs maintenance. If you take care of your turntable, it will not stop spinning and will produce an amazing sound for a long time. And if it turns out you need to replace the belt, read on…

How to check and repair the belt

You can fix a turntable that won’t spin by checking the condition of the belt. Check that the strap is in the correct position. Also check the condition of the belt and see if it is corroded or needs to be replaced.

Here are ways to tell if the turntable needs a belt replacement. Before the belt completely stops working, it will show you some warning signs indicating that its time is almost up. Most importantly, the turntable spins at the wrong speed and produces poor sound quality.

How to fix a platter that won’t spin by replacing the belt.

To replace the belt and restart the spin cycle, you must first find a compatible belt. The instruction manual contains all the details on the size, width and thickness of the strap required for your model.

If you no longer have the manual, look for it online. Most manuals are available on the Internet. If you can’t find yours, look up the company that makes your turntable and contact them to ask for a manual or to ask directly what type of belt you need.

After you have the belt, start the replacement process. Before you begin, unplug the turntable and remove the plastic cover protecting the platter.

Next, remove the panel from its position. To do this, unscrew the C-shaped clip with a suitable screwdriver. Keep the clip safe for later use.

After the panel comes loose, flip it over to the back. You will notice a circular lid on the inside of the plate. Gently smooth out your belt and slide it over the circular inner lid. Continue moving the strap slowly until it clicks into place. Of course, if the damaged belt is still there, you must first remove it.

Turn the platter over and place it in its original position. Pull the strap out of the access points and pull it over the drive motor. Slide the plate into place and attach the C-shaped clip. The belt and player are now ready for use.

Here is the whole process summarized:

Turn off the turntable to avoid electric shock

Peel off the plastic mat and set aside

Remove the plate

Lay the plate upside down on a flat surface

Stretch the belt across the center of the platter, making sure it is properly seated

Tighten the strap over the small pin near the edge of the record

Turn the plate over and place it on the turntable

Rotate the platter to expose the motor through the access holes

Hook the strap around the motor

Spin the platter in both directions to see if the belt works well

Check the belt to make sure it is installed correctly

Turntable not turning: Related questions

How does a turntable work?

When you get a turntable running, a stylus reads the grooves. A pen is a cone-shaped needle suspended from an elastic metal band. It is located at one end of the tonearm, which moves opposite the side of the platter as the stylus moves with the spiral groove.

As the stylus moves through the grooves, it picks up vibrations that travel with the metal band to a cassette of wires at the end of the arm. The vibrations are converted into electrical signals by a coil in the magnetic field. These signals are then sent to the amplifier. The amplified signals are then converted to sound through the speakers.

Can you fix a distorted vinyl record? As?

Yes, warped records can be fixed with two panes of glass larger than your album but small enough to fit in your oven.

First, preheat the oven to 80°C. Take your warped record and clean it before placing it in the center of one of the glass panes. Place the other sheet of glass on top and place both in the preheated oven.

Allow the inserted record to “bake” for a few minutes before pulling it out and placing it on a flat surface at room temperature. Place heavy books or other heavy objects over the inserted record. Once it’s cooled, remove the glass panes and the record should be back to its old, flat self.

Is it okay to leave a record on the turntable for a long time?

You should never leave a record on the turntable. Always put it back in its case after use and store it properly. If you remove it from the turntable after listening, it remains protected from dust and dirt.

Turntable not spinning: final thoughts

Just because your turntable has stopped spinning doesn’t mean you need to buy a new turntable. Go through the list of possible causes and check each one.

If you cannot determine why it has stopped spinning, there is most likely a problem with the motor. You may need to get a new one that you could replace yourself, although I would suggest taking it to a professional.

Depending on how much your turntable costs, it may even make more sense to buy a new one at this point. But more often than not, the cause is much simpler and something you can easily fix yourself.