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Going cheap on a strobe

104.129.198.79
Posted on March 21, 2017 at 13:14:43
NuWave
Audiophile

Posts: 2619
Location: Wisconsin
Joined: March 22, 2002
 Other than spending 100 clams on a KAB strobe, is there another option for less cash? Right now i'm using a big 'ol corded fluorescent black light when I need to check speed. It's not something I want to keep lying around. Something hand held and battery powered would be nice, and I could keep it on the shelf near the turntable. I've got a small AA powered fluorescent but that's not doing the job. Maybe a tactical flashlight? or one of these?


 

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RE: Going cheap on a strobe, posted on March 21, 2017 at 20:35:29
coffee-phil
Audiophile

Posts: 1444
Location: Shingle Springs CA
Joined: January 7, 2010
 You need a strobe which flashes at the rate the strobe disc which you are using is designed for.

Here is a link to one which you can build. It can be configured for discs intended for 60 Hz mains or 50 Hz mains.

The disco light will be useless for turntable speed testing.

If you don't mind a cord, I can give you a circuit which will be cheaper to build.

Phil

 

RE: Going cheap on a strobe, posted on March 21, 2017 at 21:02:27
dogwan
Audiophile

Posts: 871
Joined: December 16, 2004
 Go get yourself an extension cord ($13) and one of those 3-prong outlet testers($6) from Home Depot.

The neon lamps in the tester will flicker at the required 60hz.

Ugly and non-audiophile approved? Who cares. I only have to check the speed when rotating a new deck in.

 

RE: Going cheap on a strobe, posted on March 22, 2017 at 00:27:41
PAR
 Just because it is a battery operated strobe does not mean that it flashes at 60Hz or does it consistently.

It is for waving at a club to attract attention. It could flash at any speed and the is no practical reason for it to do this accurately.

So, not one of these.

Do you have a smartphone, particularly an i-phone? Then download the Dr. Feickert Platter Speed app (free). Then order the test disc from Germany ( about $20 + post). You will then have a very accurate tool that will measure 33.3 rpm platter speed precisely over a period and calculate any level of deviation. If you upgrade the app to paid for status ( a couple of dollars) it will also calculate wow and flutter.

There is an Android version but Feickert no longer support it and the paid for upgrade is accordingly not available. You will need to find it online not in the Play Store. However it still does all of the functions except wow and flutter measurements. I use it myself.

This is both good and cheap.

 

Is it just me? I can see those lines move or not without a strobe. nt., posted on March 23, 2017 at 16:43:27
MarkPR2
Audiophile

Posts: 280
Location: Central Florida
Joined: October 13, 2002
 .

 

RE: Is it just me? I can see those lines move or not without a strobe. nt., posted on March 23, 2017 at 17:45:22
BCR
Audiophile

Posts: 2446
Location: connecticut
Joined: April 7, 2009
 No it's not just you.I can too!

 

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