Direct Drive turntables

If you Dont like to clamp or vacuum but like the lp to stick you can use glue(preferrably removable glue). My guess is the slippage Will be less even though i havent qed.

Just to expand on Mike's comments...

I am reminded of Theodore Leavitt's remark that "People don't want a 1/4" drill, they want a 1/4" hole." I want to listen and enjoy music in my home; the equipment is simply the means to the end. I could care less if the TT is DD, belt or idler, nor do I care if I'm listening to solid state or tubed equipment, through horn, dynamic or planar speakers...I just want to connect with the artist and enjoy their art.

We haven't even begun to address the most important components: our ears and brain, i.e. how we are uniquely wired to interact with music. My son who has true perfect pitch, can not be in my music room if my TT's absolute speed is not spot on 33 1/3 rpm, but he is not affected by small speed variations. I'm exactly the opposite...go figure.

Having been lucky enough to have visited Mike's listening room (aka Vinyl Disneyland) on many occasions, his Dobbin's plinthed Garrard is my favorite source in his room...on most LP's. However, on some recordings, I prefer the Rockport.

Does anyone think that there is meaningful math or science that can explain this??? Anyone who knows me can tell you I'm an extremely data and numbers driven person, but this is a place where subjectivity rules. IMO, measurements are useful in guidance, i.e. don't buy a 2W SET amp if your going to use 85dB efficient speakers, but the only thing that really matters is how the equipment meets your individual requirements to connect with the musicians.

"but this is a place where subjectivity rules. IMO, measurements are useful in guidance, i.e. don't buy a 2W SET amp if your going to use 85dB efficient speakers, but the only thing that really matters is how the equipment meets your individual requirements to connect with the musicians."

Right on!

I think that the topic of record slippage is red herring. I am not aware of any evidence (listening or otherwise) that slippage is happening. However, there is plenty of listening evidence that some phenomenon is at play that fits the concept of stylus drag audibly influencing speed stability. This evidence shows up with or without clamping.

Jj2468, I'll echo what you said about measurements. It is too complex and we don't know what to measure. Both of those statements are often true, that is why you hear them repeated so often. Some things can be measured and some cannot (at least not yet). Some measurements are useful and correlate to good sound and some do not. To the point there is something going on in the world of analog that mimics (or is) stylus drag. It can be heard but nobody to date has been able to measure it, nor have I heard of a credible technique put forth to measure it.

Actually we do have some superb, highly sensitive instruments to measure with, our ears. Too bad many tend to trust them so little.

Here's an objective test that might be done.

If one were inclined and had the knowledge and time, one should be able to take a high res digital file created from various turntables as a source and then use computer algorithms to match the signal produced there to an all digital reference master of the same material to discern the differences. Then the question would become what accounts for the differences that would surely be observed.

This would be a fun project. Maybe someday after I retire and need something to keep me busy in addition to current hobbies, including just listening to and enjoying music.

Any EE students out there looking for a masters thesis perhaps?