Is Direct Drive Really Better?

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?

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.

Alex,

That's the first statement you've made that I'll specifically disagree with. Given sufficiently transparent yet harmonically complex music, a 1% static speed deviation is quite audible. The music's harmonic structure will be damaged.

I'm not referring to anything esoteric. Mozart's orchestral scores are a good test. Nothing seems simpler, but his harmonic relationships are far more tightly inter-related that is usually appreciated. Change playback speed by 1% and they fall to pieces.

To be fair, this does require a very transparent sytem to be audible. Bloat or overhang from any component will readily mask the harmonic damage from a 1% static speed error. My old c-j and Bent components did. So do Aesthetix and Supratek, for that matter. Dan_Ed, Jyprez and Swampwalker could attest that our Nick Doshi stuff has the requisite transparency. When they visited recently I didn't specifically demonstrate the audibility of a 1% TT speed error. But I could have.

Phd, the SP10MKII is an upgrade from the Technics SP10MKII that has a 28lb bronze and aluminum platter and an outboard power supply with speed control.