Is Direct Drive Really Better?

Another thing, one only has to look at the specs between a belt drive & direct drive to see a clear improvement in wow & flutter specs. I would think that when the platter is part of the motor which is the case in direct drive, this would be the kiss of death.

My SP-10MKIII is as quiet or quieter than anything I've heard and I've heard a lot. Phd have you read this thread from the beginning?

Raul: "BM" for "brain-masturbation"? (Well, I guess those who've got... BTW, "BM" is already taken my man, or didn't you know? Or maybe you meant it that way? Classy!)

Look, it's regrettable you can't handle being disagreed with in good grace, but I stand by my comments. Speed-stability is the crucial issue, not speed-accuracy within reasonable limits. IMO.

Of course it's better to be more accurate, and 0.001% is speed-accurate. So is 0.01%. So is 0.1% -- that equals a mere 1Hz error for a 1,000Hz tone, which if constant has zero perceptible impact on the listening experience. Even a 1% static error alters the essential character of the music only very slightly, and even then usually only in direct comparison with the correct speed. 0.001% vs. 0.002% baseline inaccuracy means nothing, you cannot hear the difference. And it's not even worth getting into how valid or comparable the claimed specs you're throwing around here are anyway -- probably half of those quoted mean nothing as well. Judging from your posts, you seem to think that listing specs somehow qualifies as "scientific" as you say, or is a substitute for making a cogent argument. Guess we could call that "SM" if it hadn't already been taken. "With all respect", Ciao.

Anybody seen the new Grand Prix Audio Monaco DD described in April's "Analog Corner" CES report? Quothe Fremer: "Ultra-compact...magnesium platter...bronze flywheel...CPU-controlled...5,000-point optical reader...platter which is also the rotor (sound familiar?)...only mechanical attactment point is the bearing, no contact in the horizontal plane...composite polymer-damped plinth...aluminum billet armboard...$15-20K? Albert? You getting one of these for review to go with those racks? Now there would be a DD vs. BD showdown for you.

Rwwear, I have not read that thread. Can you tell me what a SP-10MKIII is?