Is Direct Drive Really Better?

Zaikesman,
I agree, as long as everything is done properly in the testing, that a good turntable speed consistency is a good thing. Of course, also in keeping with all the other necessary attributes.

I only bring up the caution to not get into a "tunnel vision" approach to things.

Maybe I'm being paranoid, but I have been around audiophiles long enough to know that they tend to get "extremist" about certain things. I think it is important to emphasize good overall performance of the system as a whole. Because a very good overall implementation may very well outperform an implementation that excels only in one area.

Not trying to put a damper on things, but just trying to bring a note of caution into the discussion.

Nothing much to worry about, TWL. The existing stock of affordable DD tables is small and stable and the concensus here says that mass produced DD will never again be seen. So there really isn't much need for concern about buyers responding to a wrong impression about superiority.
The reference to spec wars was funny. I still have a copy of the October, 1987 Audio Magazine Annual Equipment Directory(The Industry Bible) boasting on the cover that it contains more than 4,300products and over 75,000 specs.
What a feast for numbers people. 62 Hz, 89 rpm, 16%. WOW! Doesn't that just give you goosebumps?

"62 Hz, 89 rpm, 16%. WOW!" LOL!

But: "The existing stock of affordable DD tables is small and stable and the concensus here says that mass produced DD will never again be seen."

The stock of new SL-1200's is virtually unlimited and will be mass-produced seemingly forever.

Yet to be addressed is the subject of quartz lock. Quartz is an alchemist's dream come true. Quartz has no comparison to a wobbling belt nor the brute force exercised by an idler wheel rubbing against a platter.

Quartz *resonates* electrically, giving timing and life to both man and machine. Quartz is a source of true metaphysical finesse wherever it's used.

If any of you guys would meet me in person and looked at the palms of my hands you'd understand. They are completely red from using a huge white quartz crystal for meditation and meridian resonance stabilization. My life force is distributed and timed with the help of quartz.

Has anyone seen those little quartz plum bobs sold at incence stores? I can place the center of my palm directly under the plumb and as I concentrate the plumb rotates faster and faster in ever increasing circles.

Now think about turntables...

With psychic power and primal intensity,

"If any of you guys would meet me in person and looked at the palms of my hands you'd understand"

Uh, that's OK, thanks anyway...

But getting back to the subject at "hand" (ahem), as far as I know there's nothing about implementing a quartz-referenced PLL that couldn't be done in turntables using something other than direct-drive, if one wanted or needed to.