2. analog
  3. 1144627303

Is Direct Drive Really Better?

I've been reading and hearing more and more about the superiority of direct drive because it drives the platter rather than dragging it along by belt. It actually makes some sense if you think about cars. Belt drives rely on momentum from a heavy platter to cruise through tight spots. Direct drive actually powers the platter. Opinions?
macrojack
zaikesman
3,017 posts
 
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.
rwwear
2,867 posts
 
It would be very hard to find an SP-10MKIII for 1200.00 in any decent condition. The last one I saw on eBay went for well over 4000.00.
rwd
695 posts
 
So...now I have to look into DD or Idle-wheel drive TT?

Here I am ready to upgrade my TT and arm with a VPI, Galibier or Teres and a Schroder or Tri-Planer. Now we have the Garrard 301 Idle-wheel......and Lenco.....OH MY!!!! Now you have force me to read the entire "Home Depot" thread :(!!!

Rick (RWD)
psychicanimal
1,738 posts
 
For people like Raoul, don't forget EMT idler drives.
david12
1,454 posts
 
Macrojack, I question your conclusion. I think a better read is that both belt and direct drive can work wonderfully, but it really depends on the implementation. One is not really better, each simply has a different set of compromises.

Why is that the wisest answer to so many questions, be it CD/speaklers, cables, tube V SS above all. It is all in the implentation. There are many more belt tables, but some excellent DD ones. being from the UK and a few miles from Loricraft, Garrard springs to mind. It is hard to beat a well renovated and plinthed 301/401 and a 501 would be my ideal, if I could afford it. They seem particularly hard to beat for base response.
A different and more interesting question would be, if you were going to make an ultimate, cost no objest turntable, would it be belt or direct drive? They all really are belt drive, but is that because the extra tooling costs of DD, make it prohibitive when you are going to be selling 10's or 100's, but not 1000's of units. I think that is the reason and it would be possible to match the ultimate belt drive decks, but who knows as there are'nt any to audition.
More to discover