My new Idler - but is it an idler ?

Some time after my rediscovery of vinyl, I started toying with the idea of building a turntable. At the time I owned an idler (Dual 1219) and a DD (Technics SL-QL1). For me, the Dual was a small revelation (although there was The Rumble) and started me on an If... path.

Put it simply, what about designing an idler with modern materials, technologies and principles ?

Almost 3 years later - and 2 prototypes - I think I might be getting somewhere. I leave some picts and details for your "viewing pleasure".

• Plint made from steel reinforced concrete containing all locating points
  
• Subframe from Aluminium / Acrylate sandwich
  
• Inverted bearing design with twin ceramic spheres as the thrust surfaces
  
• Aluminium Platter with an inner acrilic ring and underside rubber matting for damping control
  
• Epyciclic drive - the motor pulley directly drives the inner rim of the platter, so no real idler drive…
  
• BLDC motor with electronic control and speed switching
  
• Armboard made from an aluminium / corian sandwich
  

Externally, I used black Alcantara for finishing (no nasty fingerprints), with the sideboards made blackened mahogany. Later, (after loosing 2 stylus to an excited child…) I added a darkened acrylic cover with a tilt/slide opening.

Overall, the main drivers for the design have been speed stability, low background noise and resonance control - hence the several “sandwiches”. Speed stability is where I think some progress is still needed, but I have an upgrade coming along.