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Audiosilente idler wheel versus Artisan Fidelity idler wheel for a Garraed 401

Greetings,
I am considering upgrading to a new idler wheel for my Garrard 401. Reviews on forums seem to agree that there is a noticeable improvement in sound achieved. There are two possibilities that I am considering. 

The Audiosilente idler wheel is US$365
Artisan Fidelity is approx. Euros 100.

I ma wondering if anyone has any commentary are experience which of these two may offer the greatest improvements. I am certainly interested in an improvement in dynamics and everything else that is possible!

Artisan Fidelity https://www.artisanfidelity.com/accessories/garrard-301-precision-idler-wheel

Material - Austenitic Stainless Steel CNC machined case hardened CNC ground inner coupling pin, near true zero measured radial run-out.  State-of-the-Art CNC/CAM Machining achieves ultra close tolerances and accurate concentric form. Heavy weight enhances flywheel effect.Periphery Outer Drive Material - Concentric, Molded Seamless Rubber based Composite, precision CNC ground, near zero measured axial run-out. Manufactured as direct OEM Garrard 301 Schedule I & II / Garrard 401 / Garrard 501 Model replacement part.

The Audiosilent is aluminum with a square rubber outside ring.
http://www.audiosilente.com/garrard-401-idler-wheel-garrard-401.html

Any commentary would be most welcome.
Thank you, 

mozartbrain
noromance's avatar
noromance
9,769 posts
 
I also have the heavier CTC aluminum platter and did a speed check after fitting the AS, then the AF and then the CTC. amazingly, to me, the speed was the exact same each time.
lewm
13,039 posts
 
 I wasn’t thinking that the heavier idler wheel would actually affect average platter speed. I was thinking that a lighter idler wheel would make the response time more rapid. By which I refer to the response to stylus drag or bearing friction or other factors that might put a drag on the platter. Because the motor only has to motivate the platter. Maybe The weight of the idler wheel or its moment of inertia is analogous to the compliance of a belt in a belt drive turntable. A belt with low compliance would be like a very light idler wheel.
noromance's avatar
noromance
9,769 posts
 
@lewm I know what you meant. My point about the same speed was that the torque "compensated" for the load. That being the case, it's possible that rapid response time is unaffected by dynamic load like stylus drag or bearing friction.
lewm
13,039 posts
 
That's certainly the goal.  What you observed implies that the motor can overcome any additional load that might be imposed by the higher mass idler wheel.  (I intentionally used the word "might".)
noromance's avatar
noromance
9,769 posts
 
Notwithstanding, the primary objective is to see if it sounds better. It does for me, so I'm not too concerned. Thanks Lew.
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