Direct Drive vs. Idler Drive vs. Belt drive

mijostin  I would offer the counter view. It is far harder to build an acceptable DD than BD for the reasons I noted earlier in this thread

Further with respect to the distance from the source, as you say the inverse square law applies. Double the distance and the field strength falls to 1/4 of the original. The 10 times per cm factor you sight applies only if the reference field source is originally 3.16mm away from the cartridge, a physical impossibility. 

Also one would think that a ID would experience this interference issue since the motor is similarly close to the platter. 



I

Mijostyn.

Correction to my earlier calc, for those of you looking at my numbers.
The original distance would be 4.63mm, where plus 10mm gives a 10 fold reduction in field strength. Still a physical impossibility. Apologies, for my typo. 

Cheers. 

Once one hears a great idler or direct drive, it would be very heard to go back to belt drive.  I have not heard a belt drive under 10 grand that can deliver the punch and very organic sound of the idler drive or the very accurate sound of the direct drive.  They really make music sound like music.  Under 10 grand if you want a decent belt drive table and can live with MM cartridges, the older B & O tables actually are not bad and can outperform many other belt drives.

Hi @mijostyn ,

Good designed idle drive and DD don’t have high level of rumble.
But Steinway piano on a belt drive turntables sounds like cheap $100 electrical piano.
The sound of organ on a belt drive turntables is a total disaster.
If you listen pop music and sounds you don’t care, but for classical music a fine rhythm accuracy is everything. The fine rhythm makes a difference between a genius interpretation and mediocre interpretation. Also belt drive turntable sound has lack of energy, dynamics and life.
I think belt drive fashion it is the worst delusion in Hi-End audio.

Regards,
Alex.

@mijostyn

Not only can you hear rumble but it also distorts everything else you woofers are doing.

I have a Rek-o-kut and it has a little rumble. It’s old and the plinth is crap. I also have 2 rebuilt and updated Garrard 401s. There is no rumble or woofer flapping on my Spendors or REL S3 sub. And piano and organ sound right.