First, if you want to look at friction, remove the belt and replace the platter, so that you are spinning the actual moving system, the platter on top of the sub platter; the same system that the belt drives. I think that it will spin much longer and you are fine.
I don't care for plastic platters much, but monetarily the platter and mat easily offset the cost of the original platter. Overall, $700.00 is a great deal and I would pay $800.00. There is a hidden benefit here for you as well, shipping turntables can be very problematic and purchasing one locally is really a benefit. Buy it, don't mess with it and just enjoy the music. I think that lots of Audiogoners get focused on the right price at the expense of buying the right piece of gear.
BTW, I bought the P25 that's on Audiogon right now and am going up to Olympia WA to pick it up this weekend. I'm jazzed!
I don't care for plastic platters much, but monetarily the platter and mat easily offset the cost of the original platter. Overall, $700.00 is a great deal and I would pay $800.00. There is a hidden benefit here for you as well, shipping turntables can be very problematic and purchasing one locally is really a benefit. Buy it, don't mess with it and just enjoy the music. I think that lots of Audiogoners get focused on the right price at the expense of buying the right piece of gear.
BTW, I bought the P25 that's on Audiogon right now and am going up to Olympia WA to pick it up this weekend. I'm jazzed!