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The Ultimate Analogue Test LP Review

For the last 40+years I have used the following tests discs to align and test my stereo system:

• Hi-Fi Sound – Stereo Test Record – HFS75
• CBS Laboratories – Technical Series – Professional Test Record – STR100
• EMI – Technical Test Record – TCS102

However I discovered recently that not only were several tracks poorly cut/pressed, but over the years I had damaged some of the tracks. It was therefore time to buy the latest and greatest analog test album.

There aren’t many ‘professional’ analog test albums available anymore but the Analog Productions Ultimate Analogue Test LP, pressed on 200gram vinyl by Quality Record Pressings, has really made the cut in this area. This record was mastered and cut at Sterling Sound on a Neumann VMS 80 lathe.

This test album has received the Absolute Sound Editors Choice Award for the last ten years.

Use

While just the test LP can be used to help with the cartridge and system alignments and testing, the user really needs some additional electronic test equipment in order to fully benefit from its extensive range of test signals. These would include:

1. A USB microscope. – To inspect the stylus alignment and condition, may also be used to measure the stylus rake angle (SRA).
2. An AC millivolt meter or digital multimeter. – To set azimuth, signal balance and separation.
3. A dual beam oscilloscope or
4. An oscilloscope software application and USB ADC for your PC or laptop. – To examine the left and right signals, set optimal azimuth and zenith (for phase).
5. A real time spectrum analyzer. – To help setup SRA/VTA and measure distortion.
6. A wow and flutter meter. – Not essential at all in my opinion.
7. A Fozgomter to setup up azimuth. – This only provides a single dedicated function, but it is easy to use. It is however quite expensive and you can buy a software oscilloscope/real time analyzer, USB ADC and microscope for the same price; providing yourself with a great deal more measurement functionality. This hardware has the potential to cause the user to overcorrect the azimuth when used to obtain the maximum separation for each channel.

Items 4, 5 and 6 can be found as free or inexpensive software applications/packages on the web that will run on your laptop or PC (not MAC). However, in order to obtain top audio performance you will require an external USB ADC rather than using your computers stereo analog line input.

You do not need to be an electronics genius to use these software applications and a little practice and web reading will give you enough knowledge to be able to use their basic functions to measure and look at what you need to.

LP Test Cuts & Notes

Side 1

General Reference Level
This 1 kHz reference tone will allow you to establish a “base level” for all measurements.
Track 1 – 1Khz reference tone 7cm/s Mono, in phase (Lateral)
Basic reference for all measurements, adjust meter for maximum convenience (in the studio 0VU).
Adjust preamp channel balance for equal output.
Also used to check the zenith of the phono cartridge; L&R signals should be exactly in phase as displayed on an oscilloscope.

Azimuth Adjustment
Track 2 – 1kHz reference level Left channel only
Measure Right channel output.
Track 3 – 1kHz reference level Right channel only
Measure Left channel output.
The object is to sit the stylus exactly perpendicular in the groove.
Twist cartridge about its radial axis until the measurements from Track 2 and Track 3 are equal or very close to equal for both channels.

High Frequency Adjustment
Tracks 4, 5 and 6 are used to calibrate the RIAA high frequency equalizer of a phono preamp. This will be used to calibrate a mastering lathe’s phono preamplifier or any phono preamplifier that has these adjustments.
Track 4 – 1 kHz tone at -20 below reference level, Lateral
Reference for High Frequency test.
Track 5 – 10 kHz reference tone at -20dbu, Lateral
Adjust the high frequency until the output level equals that of Track 4.
Track 6 – 1 kHz to 20 kHz sweep at -20dbu, Mono (Lateral)
The AC millivoltmeter reading should stay constant across all frequencies. There are a number of factors which can affect frequency response, including cable capacitance, cartridge loading, tracking force and worn parts. Because of this, it can be difficult to achieve perfectly flat frequency response. Sometimes by making small compromises in the 10 kHz adjustment, a better overall frequency response can be achieved.

Low Frequency Adjustment
Tracks 7 & 8 are used to calibrate the RIAA low frequency equalizer of a phono preamp.
Track 7 – 1 kHz to 20 Hz sweep at 0 VU (Lateral)
Play Track 7 and measure the output with your AC millivolt meter.
Ideally, the output will be flat across all frequencies. When viewed on an oscilloscope, the amplitude would remain constant during the frequency downsweep.
Track 8 – 100 Hz reference tone at 0 vu (Lateral)
Adjust LF Eq to reference (which is your reading from Track 1).

Track 9 – VTA adjust
This is an IEC intermodulation distortion (IMD) test signal; 60Hz & 4kHz 4:1 ratio.
Using an IMD tester, adjust VTA by raising or lowering the tonearm for minimum distortion.

Track 10 – Standard Wow & Flutter test signal; 3150Hz
The Wow & Flutter meter will give dynamic speed variations as a percentage deviation from nominal.
Also, the frequency counter should read exactly 3150 Hz for nominal speed. You can use the Hz function on your multi-meter (if so equipped) to verify speed here as well. You can also use to find the measurements at 45RPM. The correct reading at 45RPM would be 4253 Hz (45/33.33) x 3150.

Side 2

Track 1 – Anti-skating test; 315Hz amplitude sweep to +12dbu (Lateral)
Signal should remain clean in both channels up to the highest level, both audibly and as viewed on an oscilloscope. In case of distortion, increase anti-skating force or decrease anti-skate until breakup occurs equally in both channels. The left channel information is inscribed on the inner groove wall, the right channel information, on the outer groove wall. Because of the offset angle of a pivoted tonearm, a constantly varying vector force biases the arm towards the center of the record causing the stylus to lose contact with the outer (i.e. right channel) groove wall. Both linear and modulated groove velocity, tracking force, stylus profile, and vinyl composition are contributing factors. The anti skating force attempts to ameliorate this by applying an opposing similar force.
It is also accepted that the overall force vector increases as the tonearm approaches closer to the spindle or end of the record.

Track 2 – Pink noise lateral
Track 3 – Pink noise vertical
Used for cartridge “demagnetizing”
You can also use this track to loosen up the cantilever’s suspension to help break in a new cartridge. Play these tracks five to ten times after every 300 hours of normal LP playback.

Track 4 1kHz – @ reference level, vertical
This out-of-phase signal should cancel to nothing when summed to mono.
Any signals still present are distortion artifacts, lack of channel balance, or timing (phase) anomalies. This test can be a second confirmation of anti-skate adjustment.

Track 5 – 1kHz to 10Hz sweep @ -20 below reference level, vertical
Resonance anomalies in the tonearm / cartridge interface will show up as amplitude peaks and dips as the frequency sweeps down.
Once again, by listening in ‘Mono’ it is easier to hear the distortion artifacts.

Track 6 – Silent groove for bearing rumble and table isolation
During playback of this track, nothing should be transmitted from the turntable to the speakers. Replay the track and gently tap on the rack or base that the turntable is resting on. There should be little or no thump transferred to the speakers. This track will help you experiment with turntable isolation methods and products to be able to get the most out of your playback system. You may want to use a closed or sealed headphone for best listening results, or a stethoscope on the plinth.

I was unfortunate enough to receive a very slightly warped copy, actually the first warped album I have received in several years. However, Acoustic Sounds quickly sent out a replacement LP, no questions asked, and trusting me such that I was not even required to return the original LP. Thats great service.

Unfortunately even the replacement LP was not ruler flat and still showed some very minor surface waves, in a similar pattern to the first LP. This is really not good enough for a 200gm test record as the vinyl undulations create very low frequency shifts in the cartridges output that can clearly be measured and makes accurate readings more difficult if you do not own any form of low frequency filtering hardware. I decided not go for a second replacement and accepted what I had as being ‘good enough’.

Make sure that you carefully check your copy.

Despite the minor vinyl imperfections all the test signals were accurate and the vinyl showed little surface noise. I just wish that tracks 2 and 3 were a little longer in duration.

Buy it here at Amazon, Acoustic Sounds or any good quality audiophile vendor.

See here for for it use in setting up my Hana SL.

See here for Phono Cartridge Alignment.