Direct drive/rim drive/idler drive vs. belt drive?

The "whatever sounds good" opinion is a consumer attitude and there's nothing wrong with that but can never work as and apply to science nor truth seeking. I certainly hope people who do manufacturing has done more research than just "whatever sounds good" and came up with more educated decisions. Therefore I completely support the kind of work Mr. Mark Kelly has done and appreciate the time he spent in experimenting and, even more importantly, sharing his findings in print with us. Thank you Mr. Kelly.

I have experience with all three drive systems and they all can sound good but, right now, I completely reject using a soft rubber belt. If a turntable has to use something that soft to filter vibration and masking speed irregularities then it needs a better motor, period. In the last decade in belt-drive manufacturing, much has been belabored on fancy platter, thick and shiny, and bearing, thick and shiny, but little has been focused on the actual motor. Enough with wimpy toy motors already!

Hiho :-)
y.s.: >> Enough with wimpy toy motors already! <<

I guess you are fully aware that this type of wimpy motor is supposed to do the same thing as a soft (and long?) belt already. 'Mellow out' any kind of speed variation that's occurring. It screws the dynamics but it sure will be 'smooth'.
Greetings,

I cannot speak generally to the question, but Chris Brady did a demo at RMAF, one year, comparing his rim drive to his belt drive on the same table and system. I'm sure everyone in the room could clearly hear the difference as it was not subtle. The rim drive had a blacker background and seemed to bring out more detail...kind of a veil-lifting effect.

All the comments remind me of the endless discussion of speaker drivers and the material science that relates to it. As many have suggested, whatever sounds best to you, is the best. That goes for all the links in the chain. In the meantime, the cat will keep chasing its tail.

Buconero117,
>>>... the cat will keep chasing its tail <<<
And so the cat is having some entertainment, what's wrong with this?
Cheers,
PS: by the way, I just like how SME tts go about it, a belt drive with dynamics! -- that's why I got one :-)