No question getting to know the makers is important, and visiting them in person would certainly help. I'll only say that Chris is taller but Thom has more hair!
Frank_sm,
We've tried multiple belts and have swapped with both Teres and Galibier owners. All reported similar results.
If you search my answers you'll see I've listed them in the past, ranked in order, but to summarize: on these tables the best performing belt material we know of is the 1/2" holographic mylar sold by McCormick's. Item # 6033665.
This material, which is slightly thicker than .002", is what Galibier uses for their belts. Teres supplies belts made from .002" clear mylar. The holographic is slightly better than the clear .002" at maintaining pace through transients. Either one is MUCH better than .001".
One minor problem with the holographic mylar is that it can shed the silver backing material over time, onto your platter and/or motor capstan. I'm working on a fix but haven't gotten 'round to trying it yet.
I don't know what Galibier's motor capstans are made of. Teres used to use delrin but newer motors have another material. I'm not sure what it is (maybe resin-impregnated glass fiber?) but the surface is a little rougher, which might make for less slippage.
No tensioner (yet) though it's an interesting idea. I assume you've seen Frank Schroeder's prototype table? He showed one at RMAF that incorporated that concept.
Frank_sm,
We've tried multiple belts and have swapped with both Teres and Galibier owners. All reported similar results.
If you search my answers you'll see I've listed them in the past, ranked in order, but to summarize: on these tables the best performing belt material we know of is the 1/2" holographic mylar sold by McCormick's. Item # 6033665.
This material, which is slightly thicker than .002", is what Galibier uses for their belts. Teres supplies belts made from .002" clear mylar. The holographic is slightly better than the clear .002" at maintaining pace through transients. Either one is MUCH better than .001".
One minor problem with the holographic mylar is that it can shed the silver backing material over time, onto your platter and/or motor capstan. I'm working on a fix but haven't gotten 'round to trying it yet.
I don't know what Galibier's motor capstans are made of. Teres used to use delrin but newer motors have another material. I'm not sure what it is (maybe resin-impregnated glass fiber?) but the surface is a little rougher, which might make for less slippage.
No tensioner (yet) though it's an interesting idea. I assume you've seen Frank Schroeder's prototype table? He showed one at RMAF that incorporated that concept.