@lewm There has been plenty of 'throwing under the bus' within this Thread.
From recollection it first started when a SME 3012 was a made known preferred choice over a SME V/12.
It has reared it head on a few occasions since and now with your latest statement the 'throwing under the bus' continues.
For the record, I am not prejudiced against any Drive, I have used Three of the most common examples and still own all Drives oof a common example.
A Idler Drive Superseded a Belt Drive and a DD Superseded the Idler and Belt Drive. At one point, not too many years past, I was with all the required knowledge to produce a Idler Drive design that could be a Belt Drive or Idler Drive.
I regularly visit individuals who have Belt Drive TT's, Idler Drive TT's and DD TT's.
More Importantly I am very respectful of their choices and know each is able to very successful produce a Replay that is able to be enjoyed.
I am into the musical encounter and the social aspect of this hobby as first priority, I don't do equipment as the goal, or the must have to be aspired to.
Equipment is a Tool and a Tool is only as good as the skill of the user.
There are plenty of very worthy Tools able to produce a great end piece in the hands of individuals who will never know the tools true capability.
There are some who have the Tool and express curiosity about how to get the best value from its capabilities and reap the rewards for their endeavors to learn more.
I know which side of the fence I am on.
As a second interest that has a allure and nothing else, I am into the Mechanics of the Trinity of TT>Tonearm>Cart'.
I have spent hours with individuals who are skilled by career in Mechanical Engineering and have extended this discipline to Micro Mechanical Engineering, the types who machine parts for Cameras and Watches, and have a love of vinyl, taking these skills to the table on this subject.
I have also spent hours with individuals who have access to very skilled machinists who are adept at carrying out micro machining, as a result of being engineers that produced reduced scale working Models of bygone equipment.
I have shared numerous mails with likeminded individuals from across the Globe and have been supplied great snippets, as well as supply snippets of info' very much worthwhile pondering. A vast amount has been learned about alternate materials and how they are on paper improved in their properties over other options seriously considered. Even though there may never be a face to face meeting, respect and friendships grow.
As said it is a allure, it is not a must have in my life.
With this interest, I have developed a few ideas about, what I class as being for the best and of most importance for the Integrated Function of the Trinity.
I have learned of and experienced first hand, measures that can be put in place to supply each interface within the Trinity with an improved environment to function.
Some of this has to be experienced to fully understand how the benefits are showing out, words can't do it justice, all they can do is let it be known betterment can be attained.
I am sure my viewpoints on such a matter will cause a few to have their feathers ruffled, but Hey Ho, I am getting a great deal form the learning, creativity and experiences being encountered.