What's the deal with idler turntables and do they have a place in modern HiFi?

I know several people with systems well north of $100k that have Thorens 124s and Garrard 301 and 401 tables in them.  When properly reconditioned, these can be terrific sounding--quite punchy and dynamic sounding.  I have no idea whether it is the method of drive, the use of high torque motors or some other characteristic apart from the drive method that gives these tables their particular sound, but, in any event they certain can be great in the right system.

Only theoretically idler drives have better speed control, but practically they're not. The idler wheel grinds out quite quick over the motor spindle and certainly changes the speed. All of the motor vibrations directly transferred onto the platter.  The best speed control have quartz direct drive turntables.

What about an idler drive with quartz control ?

If you like noise from rumble they are OK!

Do you want to live in the past?

Hi Gmjperry96,

Given your propensity to play and learn, I say go for it.  I think you'll learn as much about yourself as you will about idlers vs. belts.

I've been working on a new turntable for about 18 months.  It didn't start out as an idler, but the design constraints presented to this chassis layout led me down that path.

The Eiger is definitely a different flavor from our belt driven Gavias and Stelvios.  I'd expect an equal number of people to line up in favor of belts and idlers.  Different strokes and all that.

To don_c55, people were saying that vinyl is a thing of the past as well.  Belts are unquestionably quieter and you'll get a different presentation from a belt driven architecture.  As much as I've optimized my belt driven turntables (and people say that they're very idler like in their rhythmic presentation), the perception of rhythm with the Eiger is completely different.  People value different attributes, and no one is superior to the other.

Cheers,
Thom @ Galibier Design