High-quality turntables have heavy platters for a number of reasons, including:
- Improved speed stability: A heavier platter is more resistant to changes in speed, which can lead to improved sound quality. This is because a consistent speed is essential for accurate playback of the record grooves. A heavier platter will also help to reduce wow and flutter, which are two types of speed instability that can cause distortion and other sound problems.
Wow and flutter are two types of speed instability that can cause distortion and other sound problems. Wow is a slow, cyclical variation in speed, while flutter is a fast, cyclical variation in speed. Both wow and flutter can be caused by a number of factors, including imperfections in the turntable platter, drive mechanism, or motor.
A heavier platter is more resistant to wow and flutter because it has a higher inertia. Inertia is the resistance of an object to change its motion. A heavier platter has more inertia, which means that it is more resistant to changes in speed.
- Reduced vibration: A heavier platter is also more resistant to vibration, which can also improve sound quality. Vibration can cause the stylus to skip or mistrack, resulting in distortion and other sound problems. Heavier platters are also better at absorbing feedback from the speakers, which can also improve sound quality.
Vibration is the unwanted movement of an object. It can be caused by a number of factors, including the turntable motor, the turntable platter, the turntable chassis, and the environment in which the turntable is located.
Vibration can cause a number of problems with sound quality, including distortion, skipping, and mistracking. Distortion is a change in the waveform of the audio signal that can cause the music to sound harsh or unpleasant. Skipping is when the stylus jumps over a groove in the record, resulting in a brief loss of sound. Mistracking is when the stylus does not accurately follow the grooves in the record, resulting in a loss of sound quality and detail.
A heavier platter is more resistant to vibration because it has a higher mass. Mass is the amount of matter in an object. A heavier platter has more mass, which means that it is more resistant to vibration.
- More accurate tracking: A heavier platter can also help to improve tracking accuracy. Tracking accuracy is the ability of the stylus to follow the grooves of the record accurately. A heavier platter will help to keep the record flat and centered, which can improve tracking accuracy.
Tracking accuracy is the ability of the stylus to follow the grooves of the record accurately. It is important for tracking accuracy to be good in order to achieve the best possible sound quality.
Tracking accuracy can be affected by a number of factors, including the turntable platter, the turntable tonearm, the turntable cartridge, and the quality of the record.
A heavier platter can help to improve tracking accuracy by keeping the record flat and centered. This is because a heavier platter is less likely to resonate or vibrate, which can cause the record to warp.
- Reduced wear and tear on records: A heavier platter can also help to reduce wear and tear on records. Vibration can cause the stylus to drag on the grooves of the record, which can cause wear and tear. A heavier platter can help to reduce vibration and extend the lifespan of records.
Wear and tear on records can be caused by a number of factors, including the quality of the record, the type of stylus being used, and the amount of force being applied to the stylus.
A heavier platter can help to reduce wear and tear on records by reducing vibration. Vibration can cause the stylus to drag on the grooves of the record, which can cause wear and tear.
- Improved build quality and durability: A heavier platter can also contribute to the overall build quality and durability of a turntable. A heavier platter is less likely to resonate, which can improve the sound quality and reduce the risk of damage.
Build quality and durability are important factors to consider when choosing a turntable. A well-built turntable will be more durable and will last longer.
A heavier platter can contribute to the overall build quality and durability of a turntable by reducing resonance. Resonance is the tendency of an object to vibrate at a certain frequency. A heavier platter is less likely to resonate, which can improve the sound quality and reduce the risk of damage.
Overall, a heavier platter is a desirable feature in a high-quality turntable. It can lead to improved sound quality, reduced vibration, more accurate tracking, reduced wear and tear on records, and improved build quality and durability.
