Guidocorona,
the noise is caused by the two ball bearings. Meanwhile i am specialist in ball bearings :-)
The history of the ball bearings based Esoteric drives is the following:
After I had the P-01 transport at home, pressed the "on" knob I was near to get a heart attac: a loud noise which becomes more aggressive the faster it runs. I opened the P-01 and all was clear: I had overwiewed that two ball bearings were used to construct the drive. I tried to decrease the noise with felt etc. but nothing helps. The transport mechanism was rigidly screwed with the whole p-01 housing. The whole housing radiates the noise. The Japanese technician told me by mail: Send it back to us, we will update it. The noise will be reduced !!
My P-01 contained normal steel ball bearings without any grease in. Meanwhile they use in the P03 ball bearings made of ceramic and filled with grease. The noise of the p03 is let say 10-20% of the former p01. But i could hear it on my place 2,5m away from the spkrs.
All users should know: All! ball bearings make noise, without exception, otherwise the balls cannot move!
I could sell my P01 back. The whole P01 desaster costs me 6250 $ loss. After I had have the P03´s noise in my room I never will touch an Esoteric drive.
