Direct Drive vs. Idler Drive vs. Belt drive

Dear @spiritofmusic  : ""   I can't think of anyone trying out tts in a retail store and moving the same cart from one tt to the next..."""

me neither but when you own two different TT/tonearms you can make comparison of a cartridge performance with each of those TT/tonearms. 

According the ML room/system Agon pictures he mounted ( at least pictured. ) the same cartridge with today 2 different TT/tonearms.
Again, not at a retail store.

R.

Aha Raul, I neglected to consider owners of multiple tts. 

I have to put a word on belt driven tables. The biggest mistake in my eyes is that most TT-builders only use a one sided configuration regarding the motor issue. You need to have at least two motors on both sides to counterbalance the drift of the belt. On smaller tables you might not hear a difference but in the field of excellent High End tables it does! From my three belt driven tables two incorporate a both sided motor design. Just imagine you go for the most expensive TT, the Techdas Zero for 400 K and it does come only with one motor? No one mentioned the vector issue etc. I have now implemented the most expensive tonearm on one of my designs. You may have a look under AudioCirc.

best
E.

thuchan, that is a hypothesis that nobody has ever proven, it just seems nice intellectually. The greatest turntable of all time was belt drive with one motor. Everyone who owns a turntable needs to see this brilliant video.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1rgK0YMsJXM
I guarantee this  video will change your view of turntables forever.

looscannon,It is a proofed hypothesis AND simple mathematics.
just imagine you have a vector from only one side and then you need to compare it with two vectors from two sides, ideally - if you check properly. The distinctions of the two vectors should make a difference. Do ´nt you think so?

best
E.