Plays Records Too Fast
On both 33 and 45 RPM, my AT-PL50 plays records too fast, making them pitched too high. Is there a way to tweak it inside the player, or do I have to buy a new one?
Audio Players & Recorders - Audio Technica - AT-PL50 Turntable
Answers & Comments
If it is a belt drive model it might be that the belt is out of place and therefore causing the speed to be wrong. This might be due to age or wear of the belt. I would look at that before adjusting.
If it is good and you can't see any mechanical fault causing it. Then look for a preset pot (or two) on either the pc board or on the motor itself. They will adjust the speed. If you find two - one will be for 45 they other 33.
Bear in mind the motor might have gone wrong!
I am no expert on your model, but what I said should help you IE: "Then look for a preset pot (or two) on either the pc board or on the motor itself."
If you don't know what a pot is - short for potentionmeter- it simply is a device that reduces or increses voltage or signal. The most common type being used on volume controls. However these are small with 3 legs, two on the bottom and one on top, in a triangle base with a horseshoe top which turns. Some are enclosed in plastic others are bare metal. They have a slot which a small flat blade screwdriver will fit in to turn it.
Often they are hidden away. If on the motor it will be underneath the bottom. You may see a circle hole cut in the motor housing it could be in there. However they sometimes put labels or other things over it to hide it. You will have to adjust it by playing it back.
Sometimes they might be on the printed board. Follow the motor leads back and look for one or more pot there, again they like to hide them under things, to stop people fiddling with them, like us!
If you can see where the pot is set, remember it and make small adjustment only at a time.
Good Luck.