Now THAT is what I'm talking about: we need more reports of conversions and discoveries. The Idler War isn't as heated as it once was, now it has sunk in it is after all, an excellent system, but it isn't won yet. The issue is which system is superior, and this is an issue of ideals and scientific, empirical, verifiable truth, not the sort of thing you compromise on (except for pinheads, that is). So, rather than simply tow the Ho-Hum politically-correct line that all systems are equivalent (in the absence of actual testing to see if this is true), a HUGE bore which makes me sleepy and looking for my slippers and a comfy chair, dreaming of retirement and warm baths (and those who tow this line wonder why the world ignores them, except a tepid few), report in you onlookers! And those who have not yet tried it, try it and report in. It won't kill you, and may (i.e. WILL) even bring you that much-reported but rarely found Musical Bliss from a stereo system!!
Take, for instance, Gigantic multiple motor monsters with mile-high platters. Now I don't believe these can match a properly set-up idler-wheel drive with an 8-pound platter (at roughly an inch and a half thickness), but let's just say for argument these Megabuck Status-Enhancing Monsters can: at what cost?? How much in materials, in hardware and in research does it take to equal an 8-pound metal platter driven by a rubber wheel (it only has to be round) by a superb motor rotating (built and designed specifically for the job of driving a record player) at 1800 RPM, and anchored in wood? The idler-wheel system is simply superior (does the job better, and with less effort). And I don't believe that the priciest belt-drive available today can match one home-made Lenco.
This is what I mean by science gone bad: an inferior system is promoted by a silent conspiracy between the industry and the press; scientists and engineers come in and accept without investigating; inferior system becomes new Paradigm; new Paradigm, due to inherent weakness, invites more and more extravagant solutions; extravagant solutions cost money; cynical industry milks it for all its worth; and the stereo waters are muddied as Status-enhancing gear which sounds like crap gets rave reviews and no one knows anymore what's what. This is the can of worms we open when science goes bad. Apply scenario to amplifiers, speakers, cartridges, preamplifiers, food, etc.
Which is a way of saying, Ronnie: "Oh, you haven't heard your UP-4 yet!" ;-) (it having been mounted on a belt-drive and all). In fact, this applies to all tonearms, as one fellow remarked the other night when I demoed the UP-4 with a Decca Super Gold, a Grado Platinum, and the RS Labs with the Denon DL-103"E" (i.e. they ALL sound incredible). Based on this experience (and via my simple KEF 103.2s), he has already ordered a Grado Woody, and is going Lenco (and selling his Wilson Benesch Circle). Oh this sport of Crush the Belt-Drive is so much fun: try it at home folks, you'll make money in selling your belt-drives and can put it towards something good!!
