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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
atmasphere's avatar
atmasphere
11,901 posts
 
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.
mglik OP
911 posts
 
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.
tzh21y
1,654 posts
 
lol
atmasphere's avatar
atmasphere
11,901 posts
 
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.
oldhvymec
5,101 posts
 
I’ll tell you OP, Reel To Reel is cool, no doubt.

I had an Akai RtoR that had direct record/playback wired from the heads to a really good Summo analog differential preamp and power amp. Went completely around the preamp in the tape unit. It was a masterpiece, for playback. That was stolen with a Fairchild 750, C22, 2, MC240., oh yea, that was a bad day, night, week, month, and year. :-)

Reel-to-Reel is really good, the problem NOW, is cost, and quality of the existing tape left. Magnetic media, degrades.. No way around it... Sure sound and LOOKS good... Fun, too!

Regards
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