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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!
128x128mjperry96
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almarg
9,670 posts
 
ct0517, I didn’t notice the question you posted yesterday about the laptop until I looked for it just now. All I can suggest is that when it becomes practicable for you to do so you create a bootable cd or a bootable flash drive containing the free version of MemTest86, and use it to test the laptop’s memory by booting the laptop to that cd or flash drive (changing the boot order in the BIOS if necessary, to put the priority of that medium ahead of the hard drive).

Apologies to the OP for the digression. Regards,
-- Al
ct0517's avatar
ct0517
2,041 posts
 
Thanks Al :^)
What better place to ask a computer question than on an analog thread.
thanks to the Op. 

happy listening

Long live the idlers ....
ct0517's avatar
ct0517
2,041 posts
 
just remembered - a tip for Lenco idler owners
if you are travelling or your table will be not used for a while and you are using the hard rubber wheel.

1) Remove the platter and store it in a safe place. 2) Unclip the spring from the wheel.

This will prevent wear on the spring and keep flat spots from developing on the wheel. Unlike a stored car, you can not pump up the psi on an idler wheel when stored....   :^)

@Thuchan

what material is your EMT wheel made of ?
andrei_nz
192 posts
 
I would state this differently: no single parameter can be optimized without taking the entire whole into consideration. Any architecture will always have strengths and weaknesses. Intelligently optimized, varying architectures converge but ultimately still carry their basic DNA (the architecture's key attributes - their strengths and weaknesses).

Cheers,
Thom @ Galibier Design 

What about this scenario:  Parameter is adding mass to (preferably the outside of) the platter.  Surely the only downside is the weight (and thereby friction) on the bearing.  If the bearing housing includes opposing magnets so that there is actually no weight on a thrustpad, then that parameter can be improved without any negative downside.  Or is there some other thing that will to some extent mitigate the inertia value of the extra mass?
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