Steever Posted February 5 Posted February 5 (edited) I’m looking for an accurate spirit level for my turntable. I purchased various versions over the last year or so but they’re all giving different results for the same spots I place them on. This variance isn’t exactly confident inspiring. I’ve purchased the usual eBay items with less than ideal results. And even the plastic one which came with my Clearaudio table doesn’t seem consistent. Without getting too crazy price wise, can anyone recommend an accurate level? Something to sit over my platter spindle as a weight would be nice. Cheers. Edited February 5 by Steever
aussievintage Posted February 5 Posted February 5 7 minutes ago, Steever said: but they’re all giving different results for the same spots I place them on. Do you mean different places on your turntable give different readings with the same spirit level? That's possible I suppose if the plinth and other things around the table are not perfectly flat or aligned with each other. As far as the levels themselves go, I have never had trouble with any half decent level. Only the very cheapest pastic ones are hard to read and use. 11 minutes ago, Steever said: Something to sit over my platter spindle as a weight would be nice. and that's the proper place to be measuring it. I have one very like the one in this pic I just grabbed with google. Quite cheap but works excellently. 2
Mrkropotkin Posted February 5 Posted February 5 https://www.bunnings.com.au/empire-125mm-pocket-level_p0104692#:~:text=Empire 125mm Pocket Level I use this and it's useful for checking headshell as well, very light and accurate. Also cheap. 1
audiofeline Posted February 5 Posted February 5 (edited) I have read that spirit levels have different quality grades, which is why they vary from cheap to expensive. The better quality ones give more consistent and accurate results. I suspect that the "turntable" spirit levels are at the cheap end of the market. A spirit level's accuracy is easy to check. Put it on a surface, and note where the bubble is. Then rotate the level 180 degrees. If it is an accurate level the bubble will be in exactly the same position as it was in the previous position. Also, for a turntable it is important to have a spirit level which is light, you don't want the weight of the level putting uneven weight on the platter's suspension. I always check with the level as close to the platter's pivot as I can get it, the circular levels (posted above) that sit on top of the spindle put it in the best position. But I don't think that a lightweight bar-style level centred beside the spindle will put the platter off balance. Edited February 5 by audiofeline 1
Steever Posted February 6 Author Posted February 6 Thank you kindly for your replies. 16 hours ago, aussievintage said: Do you mean different places on your turntable give different readings with the same spirit level? That's possible I suppose if the plinth and other things around the table are not perfectly flat or aligned with each other. Different levels give varying results from the same spot. My preference is to measure at the spindle. 12 hours ago, audiofeline said: A spirit level's accuracy is easy to check. Put it on a surface, and note where the bubble is. Then rotate the level 180 degrees. If it is an accurate level the bubble will be in exactly the same position as it was in the previous position. Also, for a turntable it is important to have a spirit level which is light, you don't want the weight of the level putting uneven weight on the platter's suspension. I always check with the level as close to the platter's pivot as I can get it, the circular levels (posted above) that sit on top of the spindle put it in the best position. But I don't think that a lightweight bar-style level centred beside the spindle will put the platter off balance. I've done the 180 degree rotation and results vary, hence my concern. The mass isn't too much a concern as I have a suspension-less table. I see Avid make something called the Level 45. It's not cheap and it is smaller than a traditional weight but it's beautifully made and, no doubt being Avid, accurate to boot. Possibly worthy of consideration. Cheers.
andyr Posted February 6 Posted February 6 11 minutes ago, Steever said: I see Avid make something called the Level 45. It's not cheap and it is smaller than a traditional weight but it's beautifully made and, no doubt being Avid, accurate to boot. Possibly worthy of consideration. Yes, 'worthy of consideration' ... if you can't get hold of a Mana spirit level - see this pic (it's the one on the RHS): I believe Mana have disappeared - but, for reference, mine cost me GBP20, about 30(?) years ago. It works very well (as long as you take off whatever mat you are using). 1
muzzagruzz Posted February 7 Posted February 7 (edited) On 5/2/2025 at 7:12 PM, Steever said: I’m looking for an accurate spirit level for my turntable. I purchased various versions over the last year or so but they’re all giving different results for the same spots I place them on. This variance isn’t exactly confident inspiring. I’ve purchased the usual eBay items with less than ideal results. And even the plastic one which came with my Clearaudio table doesn’t seem consistent. Without getting too crazy price wise, can anyone recommend an accurate level? Something to sit over my platter spindle as a weight would be nice. Cheers. The attached is brilliant. I use it with my Clearaudios Edited February 7 by muzzagruzz 1
Dystoria Posted February 7 Posted February 7 22 minutes ago, muzzagruzz said: The attached is brilliant. I use it with my Clearaudios I was thinking the same thing. These type of digital gauges are super accurate and remove the guesswork for measuring angles (used for fine woodworking amongst other uses). @muzzagruzz, do you rotate the puck 360° when checking the level?
muzzagruzz Posted February 7 Posted February 7 46 minutes ago, Dystoria said: I was thinking the same thing. These type of digital gauges are super accurate and remove the guesswork for measuring angles (used for fine woodworking amongst other uses). @muzzagruzz, do you rotate the puck 360° when checking the level? I put it near the spindle and rotate the plinth. Perfect and super accurate. 1
Dystoria Posted February 7 Posted February 7 8 hours ago, muzzagruzz said: I put it near the spindle and rotate the plinth. Perfect and super accurate. Excellent and great advice. Oddly enough I'm due to pick up a new one this week. I'll get two.
audiofeline Posted February 8 Posted February 8 Great idea, I've bought quite a few different (cheap) spirit levels and can see the digital will be much more accurate. I had a look on AliExpress and similar ones to the Milwaukee pictured above are in the $10-20 range (free shipping if your total AliExpress order is >$15). The mechanism will probably be identical to the Milwaukee. There is another design (similar pricerange) which is in a longer "bar" design. They all seem to have magnets on the bottom, but I can't see that being a problem for a TT platter. On a similar analogue->digital tool change, the cheap digital calliper I bought gets used on just about every repair/make job I do. Can't believe how much easier it is compared to my old analogue equivalent (which was good), and they are so cheap now.
aussievintage Posted February 8 Posted February 8 2 hours ago, audiofeline said: Great idea, I've bought quite a few different (cheap) spirit levels and can see the digital will be much more accurate. I had a look on AliExpress and similar ones to the Milwaukee pictured above are in the $10-20 range (free shipping if your total AliExpress order is >$15). The mechanism will probably be identical to the Milwaukee. There is another design (similar pricerange) which is in a longer "bar" design. They all seem to have magnets on the bottom, but I can't see that being a problem for a TT platter. On a similar analogue->digital tool change, the cheap digital calliper I bought gets used on just about every repair/make job I do. Can't believe how much easier it is compared to my old analogue equivalent (which was good), and they are so cheap now. Most phones can run an app that turns them into a level, if you want digital. 1 1
mbic Posted March 13 Posted March 13 This is the one I use, in my opinion there isn’t a better one! https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/235934011836?gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAAB_7XZwp8MRDijhJEBcyKWaM6_Yx_&mkevt=1&mkcid=1&mkrid=710-53481-19255-0&campid=5338723872&toolid=20006&customid=x9e_Pl0kAAAApDYWfWnsL2bY_tNgAAAAAA
andyr Posted March 13 Posted March 13 5 hours ago, mbic said: This is the one I use, in my opinion there isn’t a better one! https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/235934011836?gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAAB_7XZwp8MRDijhJEBcyKWaM6_Yx_&mkevt=1&mkcid=1&mkrid=710-53481-19255-0&campid=5338723872&toolid=20006&customid=x9e_Pl0kAAAApDYWfWnsL2bY_tNgAAAAAA Yes, there isn't a better one available ... now. But in the 90s, you could buy the Mana spirit level (which was very similar). That's the one I use.
Hergest Posted March 14 Posted March 14 I've used the Avid for years. I checked its accuracy after levelling a surface with my professional construction levels when I bought it and it's as accurate as can be. It doesn't fit over the spindle but I move it over different spots on the platter and plinth and get it bang on.
andyr Posted March 14 Posted March 14 1 hour ago, Hergest said: It doesn't fit over the spindle ... Aah, it doesn't (I thought it did). I really like the fact the Mana level does fit over the spindle. And it weighs 180gm (important for people with sprung TTs).
Hergest Posted March 14 Posted March 14 14 minutes ago, andyr said: Aah, it doesn't (I thought it did). I really like the fact the Mana level does fit over the spindle. And it weighs 180gm (important for people with sprung TTs). I had one from a manufacturer I can't remember that fitted over the spindle but it was ridiculously inaccurate so kept looking, hence the Avid. Someone above mentioned the phone app ones. I once used the one that came bundled with an iPhone but it was dreadful for accuracy.
andyr Posted March 14 Posted March 14 1 hour ago, Hergest said: I had one from a manufacturer I can't remember that fitted over the spindle but it was ridiculously inaccurate so kept looking, hence the Avid. Was this the one you had, H? (Hopefully, not! )
Juzbear Posted March 14 Posted March 14 Whilst it is awesome to have a level with a hole for the spindle, if yours doesn't, it is pretty easy too take a piece of ply or any wood that has been cut from a board thicker than the length of the spindle, and put a hole in the middle. You can then sit your level on the top and it is happy days. I have used a tiny level that came with my VdH frog cartridge that weighs next to nothing or an ortofon branded one that does the trick. I like the little digital ones- they look cool. Justin
Hergest Posted March 14 Posted March 14 Addendum. I'm such an idiot. As I went to play an album 10 minutes ago I looked at the solid 45rpm adaptor I had next to the turntable and suddenly realised after years and years that the 45 rpm adaptor doubles as a way of using the Avid level on the spindle. I forgot as the spindle with the long clamp screw on the Model 20 is too long to use in that way.
mbic Posted March 14 Posted March 14 Levelling a turntable at the spindle is the only way. Using a level anywhere else, is pointless, particularly if like me you use a Garrard 401 as the casting is slightly inaccurate. If you don’t have a spindle level you can use a small carpenters level which is big enough to span the platter in 2 places. ie 12 to 6 and 9 to 3.
aussievintage Posted March 14 Posted March 14 45 minutes ago, mbic said: Levelling a turntable at the spindle is the only way. Using a level anywhere else, is pointless, particularly if like me you use a Garrard 401 as the casting is slightly inaccurate. If you don’t have a spindle level you can use a small carpenters level which is big enough to span the platter in 2 places. ie 12 to 6 and 9 to 3. Or use a weight/clamp with a flat top, and put the level on that, then rotate the platter.
aussievintage Posted March 14 Posted March 14 Since the thread is still going - thought I'd photograph using a phone as a level. I have a feeling it's more accurate, as although the bubble is in the centre of the circle, those side bars show exactly the fractions of a degree it is out.
Steever Posted March 17 Author Posted March 17 (edited) Thanks for all the input everyone. The Avid is a lovely looking piece of machined jewellery and was my top pic at one stage. In the end, I've gone for a level app for my smartphone which gives me results to the 1/10th degree. I now have my platter perfectly level. And my arm floats on air so it tells me if it's out anyway. I still use my lightweight spirit level clamp as it's what I have and with a Sorbothane insert under it in place of the foam, it damps things nicely without killing dynamics. Edited March 17 by Steever 1
April Snow Posted March 17 Posted March 17 (edited) On 14/03/2025 at 2:00 PM, Juzbear said: Whilst it is awesome to have a level with a hole for the spindle, if yours doesn't, it is pretty easy too take a piece of ply or any wood that has been cut from a board thicker than the length of the spindle, and put a hole in the middle. You can then sit your level on the top and it is happy days. I have used a tiny level that came with my VdH frog cartridge that weighs next to nothing or an ortofon branded one that does the trick. I like the little digital ones- they look cool. Justin Could you also not slip a nut over the spindle (providing it won't scratch the spindle) for some height to sit the level on top of it? Edited March 17 by April Snow 3
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