Is Direct Drive Really Better?

Drubin, I was expecting this question and I have thought about it some. My take that on it is rather than just being belt or direct drive that makes the difference it is more the proper application of torque. But to more directly answer your question I would assume that this is true. I wouldn't stretch this out and say that all DD's are going to be superior to belt drives in tempo and speed stability and the same would apply to idler wheels, IMHO.

Thanks. I knew it was a tough question.

Dan,

Do you remember the color of the belt on the 320 and 280? That isn't as silly a question as it sounds.

While I don't believe a BD Teres will ever match a well implemented DD Teres (especially when the DD costs twice the price) it is true that torque delivery on a 320 is significantly affected by the choice of belts. I've probably tried more belts on a 320 than even CB has had time to play with. I'm curious which one he was using.

Doug

P.S. Two or three years ago I posted a thread describing belt experiments on our original Teres 265. I commented that the increased torque coupling from 1/2 mylar vs. silk thread had no real downside because the Teres motor was so quiet that motor vibration was a non-issue.
Eldartford made a wise observation: if the motor's so quiet why not make a direct drive? It looks like we're just about there, and that he was right.

I'm pretty sure it was a clear belt that was used on both the 280 and 320.

I also remember him using a clear belt.