2. analog
  3. 1249163818

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

O.K. here is one for all the physics majors and engineers.

Does a high mass platter being belt driven offer the same steady inertia/speed as a direct drive or idler drive?
Is the lack of torque in the belt drive motor compensated for by the high mass platter. Object in motion stays in motion etc. Or are there other factors to take into consideration?
I am considering building up a Garrard 301 or Technics SP10, but is it all nonsense about the advantage of torque.
I am aware that the plinths on these tables can make a huge difference, I've got that covered.
My other options would be SME20 or Basis 2500 of Kuzma Stogi Reference etc.
If I have misstated some technical word, please avert your eyes. I don't want a lecture on semantics, I think everyone knows what I mean.
Thanks in advance.
mrmatt
quiddity
119 posts
 

Dan

It would be giving something away, but you are on the right track. It's the design of the filter that takes all the time and effort in the Spice model.

Matt:

Q 1 Asked and answered.

Q 2 No.

Q 3 No.

Mark Kelly
lewm
6,770 posts
 
Jb0194, The fact that your turntable still runs at the correct average speed after you added all that mass, especially a heavy periphery ring, is not proof that there is no deleterious effect. But I don't think the Dual has a servo mechanism at all to worry about, and I believe it's an idler type in the first place, not a DD. You would of course know better than I about that. My remark was strictly with regard to servo-controlled DD tables. Moreover, if it sounds better to you with the added gadgets, that's the bottom line.
jb0194
476 posts
 
Thanks, Ralph!
albertporter's avatar
Ag insider logo xs@2x
albertporter
4,927 posts
 
Ralphmasphere
08-03-09: Atmasphere
Axel, I regard differences in dynamics as a coloration, just like tonality and soundstage. All are **definitely** aspects of platter pad vinyl resonance control (or lack thereof).

Do you not separate the drive system of a table from the damping or lack of damping of the platter? I definitely hear differences in drive systems.

Several reputable companies have done experiments where identical systems and platters (a VPI) were driven with belt drive and then rim drive. I also read about auditions with a direct drive Teres versus belt drive Teres. Both have been discussed here at Audiogon.

I remember the designers as well as listeners saying there were repeatable and conclusive results based only on drive system, even though table, platter and mat remained the same.

Maybe some Teres or VPI guys who participated in this will chime in.
jax2
3,031 posts
 
Maybe some Teres or VPI guys who participated in this will chime in.

I'm not a "Teres or VPI guy" but I play one on TV, and I already chimed in above on that very topic. Peter used to be a Teres guy and he heard that demo too. As you know, he's been replaced his Teres and has become one of those Technics Guys. Or is it, once a Teres guy, always a Teres guy? Or maybe once you've had Technics you can't ever go back?
More to discover