Brake Time
The time a turntable takes to stop its platter using an active braking function.
Brake time describes stopping behaviour after the stop control is used. It differs from the time a platter takes to coast freely, and from the delay before a tonearm returns or lifts.
Brake Time — Turntable
For a Turntable, a short brake time provides a quick stop, while an adjustable brake lets the user choose a more gradual slowdown. This is especially relevant to cueing and performance techniques.
Read the value with its starting speed and brake setting. A figure measured from 33⅓ rpm should not be treated as a universal stopping time at every speed. If adjustment is provided, a range can describe more than one setting.
Compare like conditions and the control you actually need. Brake time does not describe speed accuracy during playback or prove better sound. A deck without a specified active brake should not inherit a stopping figure from free coasting.