Is Direct Drive Really Better?

"...in the TT subject and from the objective approach it is a fact that we can only 'work' with the 'numbers' that are on hand: there are no others!"

There could be others, they're just not taken or not published. But I presume there's no technical reason, beyond a lack of will or resources, why turntable reviews couldn't include detailed measurements of speed distortions, noise, and resonant behavior that take into account spectra and duration, not just simple amplitude, as well as frequency and transient response/distortion at the output.

The status quo however is that turntable reviews (and cartridge and tonearm reviews) include no measured test results whatsoever. This is unfortunate, because I believe there can be a salutory effect on the product marketplace stemming from public accountability for technical performance claims and the availability of comparison data. It might be interesting if Teres would be willing to share with us some idea of what kinds of measurements are taken as part of a manufacturer's design and testing process that aren't normally published for consumer consumption.

Having been brought to my mathematical senses, I concede the point (obvious to all but me) that harmonic relationships do not change with an absolute speed change, provided the speed is stable of course.

Makes me wonder what we're hearing though. We're doing a few experiments and (gasp!) measurements. Stay tuned.

Doug, I can save you some time.

LP's are 12 inches, smaller 45's are 7 inches. Now there's no need for you to measure.

"Makes me wonder what we're hearing though"

IMO, either you're...

1) Not hearing what you expect to hear, based on extensive personal experience with the records tested

2) Hearing what there is to hear, based on the fact that you just played the record at the correct speed, and know which one is which

3) Hearing what you do expect to hear, based on your preconceptions about what effect will be wrought by a 1% speed change

...or some combo of the above. The acid test of this perception would be to use unfamiliar recordings and a helper, having them played back for you blind at both the correct speed and 1% off, to see whether you can consistently identify which playback is correct and which is fast or slow. I think this would probably be an exercise in futility though, maybe even at 2% in many instances, or even higher with some other types of music.

NO! Just PLAY records, people!!!!