idler wheel vs direct drive technics impressions
Here is the linkage under my Thorens TD111: http://home.comcast.net/%7Eomaille/audio/TD111/before3.jpg http://home.comcast.net/%7Eomaille/audio/TD111/before2.jpg Here is the linkage under a Lenco: http://wegavision.pytalhost.com/lencoL75/lenco11.jpg It appears to have more vibrating parts. |
I own both a Lenco in a "giant direct-coupled" plinth and a Garrard 301 chassis. I've not yet auditioned the Garrard 301, since it has no plinth. In comparing the Lenco to the Garrard and Thorens TD124 on paper, it seems to me that each is different from the other in important ways. The Lenco idler drives the platter in the vertical plane, so there's no eccentric pressure on the outer rim and hence the bearing. But on the other hand, there is the potential for a scrubbing effect where the circumference of the idler contacts the underside of the platter. The only potential vibrating parts are the idler arm and perhaps the mechanical brake, which many people remove. Jean Nantais recently remarked on the beneficial effects of firmly anchoring the idler arm to minimize its tendency to waver. The Garrard idler drives the rim in the horizontal plane and does have a lot of metal parts in its chassis, which however seem very robust. Mark Kelly has advised an adjustment to the eddy current brake that reduces its ability to be a source of noise. The Thorens uses a belt to drive an idler wheel, as I understand it. In my brief listening experiences with the TD124, I did not think it provided a very lively sound, but otherwise, I know little about it. I am soon going to have the opportunity to compare my Lenco to a Technics SP10 MkII, using the same tonearm and cartridge on each table. I look forward to the experience. |
Have it professionally set up BUT only if you are sure that the person knows exactly what they are doing. I use to be an audio dealer and set up a lot of them. But I don't see as well now and would have mine set up if I knew someone good. But be warned, there are "experts" who couldn't set up a folding chair. I well remember the customer who proudly brought in his table and told me a dealer had set it up with a distortion analyzer. I was suspicious and checked it with a cartaline [alignment protractor]. It was about as far out of alignment as it was possible to get. Nevertheless, the customer forbade me to touch it on the grounds that I didn't have a distortion analyzer. It was customers like this that who drove me to declare that if I ever opened another audio business I would call it PBS audio, from the Biblical Injunction, Cast , etc. If you want to do it yourself make sure you have the proper tools. With the protractors I use I find it helpful to use masking tape to fasten the platter in one place so you can't jog it while lowering the stylus onto the protractor, but more modern ones may not require this. |
Ps The new VPI drive system is the ultimate extension to the idler principal in that it drives the OUTSIDE of the platter instead of the inside and can therefore use a much larger drive wheel. I am again becoming an audio dealer and intend to try one of them eventually. As to VTA, in the old days what was considered the most important thing was stylus rake angle [SRA] the best results were usually achieved with the arm slightly lower on the pivot side than the stylus side. But all tracking angles are a compromise. It will vary between records. The best thing about arms like the Lustre 801 or the top VPI arms is that they can be easily adjusted while the record is playing. My SME iv will do this too, but not as well. |
I've had two of Jean's Lencos (the newer one accommodates two tonearms including 12-inchers) and continue to be astonished by how great they sound. My old VPI TNT Mk II couldn't hold a candle to either of them. I doubt that adding an external drive wheel would make that much difference. The Lenco idler drive system is not only elegant and robust but offers easy and precise speed changes from 16 to 78 rpm and beyond. Dave |
