Direct Drive vs. Idler Drive vs. Belt drive

Lewm,
you are right. 1 motor + passive flywheel on opposite side to nullify any side forces on the bearing. As I do with my original Micro Seiki flywheel. In case of the two motors you need to have an intelligent adjustment incorporated in the motor steering, as VPI or Sterling do.
Unfortunately VPI is not producing their SDS steering anymore, but they developed the ADS.

p.s. I am wondering why TechDas did not incorporate such a solution, the Apolyt uses an inbuilt passive flywheel

best
E.

Passive Flywheel = more mechanical noise. It is the same reason manufacturers interested in the highest fidelity shied away from changers and idler wheel designs. 

Gawd- the original AR tt was awful. The motor was underpowered; the speed would oscillate back and forth just by setting the arm on the LP. The foam platter pad was a joke but the suspension and drive really needed it to be light. While the bearing location in the arm was an innovation, it was vastly overshadowed by the simple fact that the arm bearings had slop, making it chatter when anything complex showed up in the musical program. The headshell was plastic and over time wore out (from being installed and removed from the arm tube) or warped as it perished. It was a machine that was cleverly built to a price point, and didn't challenge machines like the Empire 208 that were around at the same time.  


Given how innovative AR was at the time, its a bit surprising that they chose to under-serve their concepts as presented in this machine. If they had been a bit more aggressive and upscaled it a bit, they would have built a classic.  

Loosecannon,
do not understand what your are saying, why more mechanical noise by using a passive flywheel? Can you explain?
idler wheel is a great technology but not easy to build and implement. It is much easier to build a „very simple design like the Acoustic Research“ your are promoting. Thorens had similar suspensions as the AR but much better arms.
Have you heard an EMT idler wheel (e.g. 279) or the latest Garrard models - all excellent idler wheels!
best

E.

I have owned many TT over the years and will likely own plenty more... but I think my Garrard 401 is a keeper no matter what else I may buy.
There is just something about the drive and dynamics of a great idler and no Mijo it is not rumble!!!!!