Direct Drive vs. Idler Drive vs. Belt drive

What New Way calls a thrust bushing provides an air cushion in 3 dimensions, i.e. the thrust bushing provides levitation as well.

I use an Italian compressor from Silentaire, oil technology, and heroic filtration. I'm thinking of upgrading to Juno, but so many calls on less money these days.

@larryi , 63 psi.

Larry, that's part number   C303202 .

Tom, I liked your list of 16 yes or no alternative preferences. I calculate that makes for 65536 choices in turntables. (2E16)

Chakster, it is really quite simple. Those Technics tables you like are beautifully made eye candy. For many individuals the visual experience overloads the audio experience. Same thing happens with arrows on wires. The problem is that next to something like a SOTA Cosmos with any decent arm on it those Technics tables sound like finger nails on a chalk board. As far as air bearings go they are a totally unnecessary complication. If you want to float the platter just use opposing magnets.
I think the Air Force 1 is a tour de force of complexity. Eye candy for sure. Sound better? I would bet if I put the same cartridge and arm on a SOTA Cosmos or an SME 30/12 nobody would be able to reliably tell them apart but when you look at them then of course the Air Force 1 wins.