Pani, I think your generalization about light weight vs heavy weight platters is very much open to debate. One could just debate your point that light weight platters are a given in a "well designed" product, but is it really worth the trouble? Seems to me that there are many great turntables, especially of the belt-drive variety, that take advantage of massive platters. But yes, I agree, there's a price to pay, just as there is a price to pay to optimize any design choice. I also share your predilection for idler- and direct-drive vs belt-drive, but because I have held on to that bias for 4-5 years now, I feel I need to keep an open mind; I've lost touch with the belt-drive sound and no longer feel qualified to reject it out of hand.
What's the deal with idler turntables and do they have a place in modern HiFi?
After going through a complete overhaul of an AR XA I've been tempted to take a step further back in history and restore an old Rek-O-Kut idler turntable. Can't remember the particular model number from Craigslist, but it seems like it may be an interesting project and far more customizable than the XA, especially when it come to the tonearm. The one I'm looking at comes with the original tonearm, but my guess is that it's even more garbage than the stock XA 'arm and I'd certainly replace it!
However, I don't generally become invested in something if it doesn't pay off. So if the sound is going to be dreadful because it's an idler, then I'll steer clear. But if the sound is bitchin' then I'll jump on the opportunity!
However, I don't generally become invested in something if it doesn't pay off. So if the sound is going to be dreadful because it's an idler, then I'll steer clear. But if the sound is bitchin' then I'll jump on the opportunity!
- ...
- 64 posts total
- 64 posts total