Is Direct Drive Really Better?

Zaikesman,
I feel myself being pulled in your direction. I replaced nearly $10K (used value) worth of separates with a $700 integrated amp that actually sounded better. Boy did that ever feel good. I'm currently looking to see if I can accomplish something like that with my analog. That's how this thread started actually. I did something similar with speakers and cables.
Tom

Direct drive or die.

Raul! What? Out of all those arms, cartridges and table you don't have a good idler wheel? I think you're a great candidate for a Lenco!

Dear Zaikesman: +++++ " To me the real-world value of DD might be where it is right now ..." +++++

I agree, we can buy a SP10 MK2 for 400.00 dls ( with out plynth and tonearm ), a Denon DP 800 for 500.00 0r a SP 10 MK3 for 1,200.00. Btw, all these TT designs comes from more than 20 years ago!!!! ). Any one of these TTs ( with the right plynth/footers/tonearm/mat) can compete not with ++++" any belt-driver in its price range. " ++++ ( like you say ) but with the 40K+ Walker BD TT and for a ridiculous price fraction.

+++++ " Which drive method is allegedly "superior" .." +++++

IN my opinion and if we take only the drive system " per se " then the DD is a superior drive system over the BD one. The first and most important function on a TT is the speed accuracy/stability and here the BD system can't compete with the DD system and this is a fact that any one can see it through measurements and own TT specs, period. Btw, ( at least on my TTs ) one musical reproduction characteristic on the DD TT is the more real and natural decay time of the notes, this give to the sound reproduction a better feel of the " live music " against the BD TT.

+++ " .. the evidence could point toward factors other than drive method ruling the roost at that level. " ++++

Yes, there are several other factors than drive system where one or the other could be superior.

About Stereophile: well the champion at the moment is the BD design Continuum for around 90K, speed accuracy? : 0.006%.

Regards and enjoy the music.
Raul.

Raul: I wouldn't know about the sound quality of relatively inexpensive DD's competing beyond their price range (though you might), I was only stating about their speed accuracy and precision. But a caveat has to be acknowledged: published speed distortion specs only deal with combined gross levels, leaving us in the dark about spectral and temporal character. The possibility exists for one TT to have lower measured speed distortion than another, but of a sonically nastier nature.