Direct Drive vs. Idler Drive vs. Belt drive

billwojo

One thing I have found in common with all of the popular British TT is the constant need for upgrades.

Actually, there is no "need" for an upgrade. Without the upgrade, your turntable will perform exactly the same as it always did. An upgrade is just an option for those that might want to seek improvement. It’s the same as when a company such as Audio Research offers upgrades to its electronics; the availability of an upgrade doesn’t diminish the performance of your existing component.

Oddly, some audiophiles complain when upgrades are not made available for existing product, claiming that it reflects "planned obsolescence" and lessens the value of their existing product. That argument does seem to have some validity.

Direct drive!

 Own 2 technics SL-1200mk2’s and one Mark III IN BLACK FROM MID-late 90’s

,oldest ones are mark II’s,
still,play flawlessly, from late 80’s.

take apart 1-2 x a year, remove psi deal, wipe, fresh oil, good as new.

 Stock arm, great Ortofon Concorde headshells!

 Haven’t skipped a beat in 30 years.

 None better.

 Adjusted brake mayb 3-5;X  in 30 years.

best tt’s ever owned, been through a lot, pioneer, Sony, BIC, DUAL,   The technics still play, and function as new after 30 years and more.

 Belts, bull tripe, never again.

 My old warhorses may not have the resolution of a thorens or a 8K $ TT,  but they are reliable, and start, play and stop on a dime year after year.

best TT ever built!

Own 2 technics SL-1200mk2’s

best TT ever built!

And this is only an entry level into SL1200 series, i also have a pair of Sl1210 mkII for more than 20 years, fully upgraded in the last 7 years, not in the main system, but it was my first adult turntable :) 

The next level for me was this SP-10 mkII in teak wood plinth with Reed 3p tonearm and Glanz 61 MF cartridge. 

And not so long ago Technics returned with new turntables, different models with prices from $899 to $4000 in SL1200 series. 

I just don't understand why people are so brainwashed with those rega and related belt drives. 

Regarding air bearings I am wondering that many friends around here mix air floating devices with a real air bearing design. Even Mike Fremer mentions air bearings with an air floating deck.
To my knowledge only two designs (in the world) are running on air bearings. May I have overseen a development?

I found Herb Reichert's piece in the latest edition of S'Phile uhhh....interesting. He reviewed the J.Sikora Initial which is belt drive and in an apparent effort to heap his usual unfettered Primaluna type hyperbolic and unrealistic praise upon it, he took a jab at his own Thorens TD124 calling it (I am not home to quote verbatim) a bucket of nuts and bolts by comparison. All this using a Jelco arm while the photo S'Phile published with his review shows a Kuzma, go figure. I wish I had his phone number so I could tell him that I will take it-his TD124- off his hands since he finds it to be junk. 
I bring it up here because I happen to believe that all three can be very good. It all depends upon implementation. Herb is a gifted writer but unlike Art Dudley who many have lumped him with, he has very mediocre gear and an apparent low bar used as a reference. 
For Herb Reichert to call the Thorens TD124 a bucket of bolts is like some proud new Tesla owner declaring an original mint Shelby Mustang to be outdated trash. Fine. That does not make it so and 98% of automotive cognoscenti would take the Shelby seven days a week and Sunday too. 
Yes, I have a TD124. Highly modified. And a highly modded Garrard 301. I suspect Herb's TD124 has not be properly cleaned, serviced, or modded and that he has an even worse arm than a Jelco (not bad mind you, but Jelco is not close to the top either) mounted to it. Herb, Herb, Herb, stop smoking so much herb Herb.