Suspended vs. non suspended turntable

Based on what I've been able to prove to my own satisfaction by tweaking a VPI belt-drive TT, I'm in agreement with Halcro regarding the merit of a non-suspended TT, but sited on a platform that provides a decoupling suspension.

An unsuspended TT with a standalone motor, combined with a belt made of non-compliant material such as thread or tape, should in most cases have superior speed stability relative to a suspended table with a soft rubber belt. The unsuspended design fixes the geometry between motor & platter. With a suspended TT, geometry & belt tension change constantly with variations in torque on the belt caused by modulation in stylus drag and plinth movement in the lateral plane-- resulting in variations in pitch.

Nonetheless, decoupling the TT from earth is still beneficial. If you can rap the rack with your knuckles and hear the sound through the speakers while the stylus rests in the record groove, then it's likely that the rack is acting as an antennae for LF vibration from earth or from AC transformers on the lower shelves or from acoustic waves from the speakers. Most of this energy can be absorbed in very low-frequency vibration by placing the entire suspensionless TT & motor assy on a decoupling platform of air springs or mechanical springs.

As an ancillary benefit it's easy to level up the TT by shifting the springs around.

i can not compete with the technical discussions between the merits between the suspended versus non suspended models. But my experience with the michell gyrodec (suspended) versus Maplenoll ariadne (High mass nonsuspended) using the same cartridge (zyx airy3s), i preferred the sound from my maplenoll. Granted a lot of differences between the two tables and arm systems, but i found the maplenoll had a very black background and the bass response was far superior. My daughter is currently using my gyro and she loves it. I was very please with it during my tenure with the table. But i am sold on the high mass table. I have use the nonsuspended table on a second floor and will say it was more sensitive to floor vibrations than the gyro.

Dear Keith: IMHO I think that more that ask for " suspended vs unsuspended " could be more important for the quality sound reproduction performance level another factors like: platter build material, speed accuracy and speed stability, isolation to prevent ( internal/external ) resonances/vibrations/distortions/noises/colorations, tonearm facilities, warranty/support over time, free trouble operation over time ( years ) to come, etc, etc.

Regards and enjoy the music.
Raul.

Keith: I forgot, a critical TT choice factor is: how much is your budget?

regards and enjoy the music.
raul.

The main reason why I enjoy Audiogon forum life(now that I realize there are "real" people on the other end of my computer screen)is it allows us to all give our own thoughts on every subject(obviously)....I am not about to be too stubborn to consider other viable thoughts,which surely have come up with this subject.
I might have my own way of viewing things "audio",but if I were too closed minded,I'd never have the kind of quality music now playing,in my room.
Most of "you" have definitely helped me realize there are legitimate alternate views,on this subject,as well as many other matters regarding "getting music" to sound like we'd like it to,in our homes.
Thanks for keeping me grounded!...Always much to ponder/think through,with my somewhat overly analytical "ways".
Best to all.