MOTOR POD
positioned correctly.
Once the Blue light is functioning correctly, it’s
important to raise the plinth at least another 0.5mm to
ensure that the blue light is not in a “borderline”
condition leading it to turn off at a later date.
The other factor that may prevent the blue sensor light
from lighting up is if the pod is positioned with the 3
LED holes not underneath the rim of the platter. Ensure
this is not the case.
Initially motors may be a little noisy but soon settle
down within a couple of days continuous running. The
sound quality also improves substantially after 40 hours
of running in.
Fine Tuning Motor screws
It should not be necessary but you can fine tune the
motor mount to give minimum noise and belt vibration
by adjusting the tightness of the 3 screws next to the
motor pulley for minimal tension - “just nipped” on the
small rubber O ring. Always check that the motor pulley
is approximately vertical and that the belt runs clear
above the bottom flange as per earlier diagram. If you
notice the belt vibrating significantly then try moving the
pod AND rotating it slightly. This adjusts the tension and
pulley angle enough to reduce vibration. It can
sometimes help to reduce the tension on the motor screw
nearest the platter.
Motor “running in” should be carried out with platter
turning (no faster than 45rpm).
Control knob operation
The motor is “off” when the speed control knob on the
pod is turned fully anti-clockwise and the indent on the
knob aligns to the reference point.
Turn the knob one click clockwise to turn the motor on
at 33.3 rpm - The second click clockwise is 45rpm
Operating the strobe
You can check the speed of your deck by placing the
strobe disc on the record to be played. The strobe rings
are labelled on the centre of the disc for speed and mains
frequency.
Use correct lighting
The strobe effect shows best in fluorescent light,
although an ordinary bulb held about 2 feet from the
strobe disc will also work fine. The bulb flickers at 50
Hz in the EEC and 60 Hz in the USA.
You can purchase bayonet fitting fluorescent or halogen
bulbs to fit normal lamps. Try to shut out daylight when
carrying out speed reading. Also be aware that energy
saving lighting with switch mode high frequency power
supplies or certain energy saving bulbs will not work
with the strobe disc.
Reading the strobe
As you play the record. watch the relevant ring on the
strobe disc. Read the speed as described in next sub-
heading until marks on the ring concerned appear
stationary. It sometimes helps to stare the strobe but
focus your eyes on infinity.
Alternative methods
There are other strobes which are easier to read such as
the KAB strobe which can be found on our web site
under vinyl measurement accessories.
There is also a phone app you can download for Android
or IOS. You simply then place the phone on the platter
and it reads the speed (but not very reliably). Best
results are achieved with the phone close to the centre of
the platter and ideally it should be supported over the
centre spindle of the platter.
Notes on Belt & Motor running
Motor Tilt
Check that the belt rides clear of the flanges – nearly
touching is OK but if the belt sinks down to touch the
flange you need to either increase belt tension slightly or
adjust the tilt of the motor by turning the small cross-
head motor mounting screw positioned nearest the
platter.
Motor Noise
Our DC motors are often slightly noisy initially and
never completely silent in comparison to many a/c
motors. This is due to the high grade precious metal
motor brushes. Metal brushes improve conduction due to
higher conduction and more pressure on moving surface
contact. The result is much lower levels of vibration but
higher levels of audible noise in comparison to low
grade carbon brushes. Severe vibration is far more
detrimental to performance than low energy audible
noise.
Brushless motors are often silent but have very high
levels of vibration due to “Hall effect” sensors which
create intermittent drag as the spindle rotates.
Like most turntable manufacturers we recommend you
leave the turntable running between changing records as
this reduces belt wear due to constant stopping and
starting.
Why measurements can be misleading
The figures on speed accuracy of the deck are well ahead
of industry standards however it's worth mentioning that
the Fleikhart measurement system is now well reported
on the web to be inaccurate due to off-centre discs and
poorly recorded tone. It has currently been withdrawn
from production.
Mobile phone apps are similarly only a rough guide as
they are not particularly accurate.
Fit the tonearm
Mounting Origin Live arms
All newer Origin Live arms have built in VTA
