Oehlbach Speed Check Stroboscopic Turntable Speed Disc
20,00 €
Oehlbach Speed Check is a stroboscopic disc for checking turntable platter speed. It features scales for 33 1/3 and 45 rpm. The test requires a light source that pulses in accordance with a 50 or 60 Hz mains frequency. By observing the scale markings, you can assess whether the selected turntable speed deviates from its nominal value.
Oehlbach Speed Check – a stroboscopic disc for checking turntable speed. It includes scales for 33 1/3 and 45 rpm. The store source also lists a 75 rpm scale, but an independent page for this exact model could not be found. This detail should therefore be confirmed before publication or purchase. The test requires a light source that pulses in accordance with a 50 or 60 Hz mains frequency.
What is this disc used for?
This accessory helps you determine whether a turntable platter is rotating at the selected nominal speed. It is useful when adjusting a turntable with variable speed control or checking its operation after replacing the belt. You can also perform the test if you notice that the pitch of the music has changed.
The stroboscopic disc does not test the turntable cartridge, stylus tracking force or tonearm geometry. It has one specific purpose: to provide a visual indication of whether the platter speed corresponds to the selected scale.
How do you check the turntable speed?
Place the disc on the turntable and select the rotational speed you want to test. Choose the 50 or 60 Hz scale according to your local mains frequency, then use a light source that pulses at the corresponding rate. The standard mains frequency in Lithuania is 50 Hz. Start the turntable, wait until its rotation has stabilised and observe the markings intended for the selected speed and mains frequency. Suitable pulsing illumination produces the stroboscopic effect required to assess the rotating markings.
Keep your attention on the correct set of markings throughout the test. The disc contains different scales because the visual result depends on both the selected platter speed and the frequency used for the observation.
Why is the lighting important?
The result depends on a suitable light source that pulses in step with the relevant mains frequency. A constant, non-pulsing light will not create the stroboscopic image needed for the test. Some lamps may also pulse at a different frequency even though they are connected to the same electricity supply.
If the markings remain blurred or their movement cannot be assessed, change the lighting first. An unclear image alone does not indicate that the turntable is faulty. The important point is to obtain a clear view of the movement-or apparent lack of movement-on the selected scale.
How should you interpret the result?
If the selected markings appear stationary, the platter speed corresponds to the scale being used. Consistent drifting indicates a speed deviation; observe both the direction and the rate of that movement. Movement on markings belonging to other scales is not the result for the operating mode you have selected. For a more dependable comparison, repeat the check several times under the same lighting conditions.
If the turntable has a speed or pitch control, make adjustments in small steps. After each adjustment, allow the platter speed to settle before checking the markings again. If the turntable has no such control, the disc can reveal a deviation, but it cannot correct it.
Use within an audio system
This accessory does not require an audio connection to an amplifier, loudspeakers or phono preamplifier. The test concerns the turntable’s mechanical rotation. The model of stereo amplifier and the audio connections in use therefore have no effect on the result.
The disc is not a device for continuous speed monitoring. It provides a visual result only while the markings are being observed. If you want to compare the performance at a later time, repeat the test under the same conditions.
Technical specifications
| Model | Oehlbach Speed Check |
|---|---|
| Product type | Stroboscopic disc for checking turntable speed |
| Purpose | Checking turntable platter rotation speed |
| Speeds checked | 33 1/3 and 45 rpm, plus a 75 rpm scale stated by the store source but not independently confirmed |
| Mains frequency | 50 or 60 Hz; a correspondingly pulsing light source is required |
Practical operating tips
Observe the markings from the same angle during each test. If you change your viewing position, it may become more difficult to compare their apparent movement. Ambient light should also not overpower the light source producing the stroboscopic effect.
If you are checking the turntable after maintenance, first make sure that the platter can rotate freely. Only then should you assess the scale. The stroboscopic disc can reveal a speed deviation, but it cannot identify whether the underlying cause is mechanical or electronic.
For a useful before-and-after comparison, keep the test conditions consistent. Use the same scale, light source and viewing position, and allow the turntable to reach stable operation each time. This makes the visible movement of the markings easier to compare without extending the disc’s function beyond a visual speed check.
FAQ
Does this disc adjust the turntable speed automatically?
No. It is designed to check the rotation speed. Any correction must be made with the turntable’s own adjustment control, if the particular turntable has one.
Which scale should I use for the test?
Select the markings that correspond to the turntable speed being checked. You must also use the scale intended for the relevant mains frequency together with a light source that pulses accordingly.
What do stationary scale markings mean?
Under suitable lighting conditions, selected markings that appear stationary indicate that the rotation corresponds to the speed being tested. Markings that drift indicate a deviation.
Why do the markings not appear stable?
The light source may be unsuitable or may not pulse strongly enough at the required rate. Change the lighting before repeating your assessment.
Do I need to connect an amplifier for the test?
No. The test is performed by observing the markings on the disc as it rotates on the turntable. No audio signal or amplifier connection is required.
Has the 75 rpm scale been independently confirmed?
No. It is listed by the store source, but an independent page for this exact model could not be found. This information should therefore be confirmed before purchase.
Can I check the speed immediately after starting the turntable?
Assess the rotation only after it has stabilised. Movement seen in the markings during start-up does not represent the steady result for the selected operating speed.
