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Direct drive/rim drive/idler drive vs. belt drive?

O.K. here is one for all the physics majors and engineers.

Does a high mass platter being belt driven offer the same steady inertia/speed as a direct drive or idler drive?
Is the lack of torque in the belt drive motor compensated for by the high mass platter. Object in motion stays in motion etc. Or are there other factors to take into consideration?
I am considering building up a Garrard 301 or Technics SP10, but is it all nonsense about the advantage of torque.
I am aware that the plinths on these tables can make a huge difference, I've got that covered.
My other options would be SME20 or Basis 2500 of Kuzma Stogi Reference etc.
If I have misstated some technical word, please avert your eyes. I don't want a lecture on semantics, I think everyone knows what I mean.
Thanks in advance.
mrmatt
axelwahl
788 posts
 
Hiho :-)
y.s.: >> Enough with wimpy toy motors already! <<

I guess you are fully aware that this type of wimpy motor is supposed to do the same thing as a soft (and long?) belt already. 'Mellow out' any kind of speed variation that's occurring. It screws the dynamics but it sure will be 'smooth'.
Greetings,
jax2
3,031 posts
 
I cannot speak generally to the question, but Chris Brady did a demo at RMAF, one year, comparing his rim drive to his belt drive on the same table and system. I'm sure everyone in the room could clearly hear the difference as it was not subtle. The rim drive had a blacker background and seemed to bring out more detail...kind of a veil-lifting effect.
buconero117
2,311 posts
 
All the comments remind me of the endless discussion of speaker drivers and the material science that relates to it. As many have suggested, whatever sounds best to you, is the best. That goes for all the links in the chain. In the meantime, the cat will keep chasing its tail.
axelwahl
788 posts
 
Buconero117,
>>>... the cat will keep chasing its tail <<<
And so the cat is having some entertainment, what's wrong with this?
Cheers,
PS: by the way, I just like how SME tts go about it, a belt drive with dynamics! -- that's why I got one :-)
johnnyb53
3,510 posts
 
08-02-09: Axelwahl
PS: by the way, I just like how SME tts go about it, a belt drive with dynamics! -- that's why I got one :-)
For a long time the SMEs were the only belt drives I'd heard that don't mute transients and artificially "relax" the musc. Fortunately, now the Ayre/DPS turntable creates the same sensation for significantly less money. I'm not saying it's as "good" as a $30K SME, but if that's the sound you like and can't spring for a SME, look into the Ayre.
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