Direct Drive vs. Idler Drive vs. Belt drive

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. 

Mijo always trots out the good old high rumble fluff whenever idler drive is brought up.
Mijo, I invite you to come over and listen to my 401 playing through Spatial Audio M3 TM and a pair of ML subs.
Pretty sure between all of the large cones there one would be able to see/hear them “flapping” very easily.
Hey but what do I know,maybe I am blind as well as deaf, that must be it.....

Dear Lewm, from your description it looks to me you have never experimented with two motors and a serious belt (tape). Forget three motors! Four motors is an option if you put it in a design like Burmester does. Having implemented a serious 2nd motor in a proper way (use a very good steering appliance) you may reduce additional sources of noise and you have counterfighted the source of drawing the power to only one side! Think about it and maybe do it!

E.