Simon--
The RY-5500 is the *drive motor* for the RX-5000 turntable (as well as many other models). The famed Micro Seiki "air bearing" that you may be referring to was for the platter on the plinth, and found only on some of their very top-line models. The bearing in the motor, for which I describe a fix, is a straightforward DC motor with a traditional sintered bronze bushing.
The RY-5500 is the *drive motor* for the RX-5000 turntable (as well as many other models). The famed Micro Seiki "air bearing" that you may be referring to was for the platter on the plinth, and found only on some of their very top-line models. The bearing in the motor, for which I describe a fix, is a straightforward DC motor with a traditional sintered bronze bushing.