Is idler drive better than belt drive or direct drive?


I’m sure this subject has been hashed out many times.
I am the proud owner of a Woodsong Garrard 301. Have owned belt drives and, long ago, a direct drive.
Just judging from the physicality of the idler drive and the result, I feel the idler drive gives more impact and drive to the music. This is very appealing. Believe belt drives significantly came into fashion since they are cheaper to make. I know there are several measurements which are less desirable, but the overall sound is most important and desired.
mglik

mijostyn
2,419 posts
08-17-2020 6:41am
Here we go again.

18 hz, on a TT, that would be something... Most of my stuff is cut off at 35-40, just for that reason.. Heck the old 78 stuff, didn't go below 60.
There was nothing recorded below that. I have a LOT of the old stuff, sounds wonderful, but 18 hz has ZERO sound, lot of feeling though..:-)

28 hz on a TT, must sound like a train going buy all the time.. I don't push the sub bass issue with TT. I know you can I just don't. Better off with Reel to reel in the analog realm, going REAL low...

Regards
Better off with Reel to reel in the analog realm, going REAL low...
Keeping in mind of course that the LP has superior LF response when compared to reel to reel.
A very informative and interesting YouTube can be pulled up by:
“Garrard 301 vs Studer reel to reel”. Not only is this one of the best sound quality MP4s I have heard, it is a great comparison. When he changes from TT to Tape, you don’t want him to go back to TT!
Think it is about 15 minutes but well worth the time.
When he changes from TT to Tape, you don’t want him to go back to TT!
@mglik 

If the LP was not a direct to disk then this is very easy to see. Of course a lot depends on what was used for playback of the LP in the example.