Where is the next generation of direct drive?

Cocoabaroque, I would not assume that a "next generation" DD table is necessary to surpass current belt drive tables. There are many enthusiasts for refurbished Technics, Kenwood, Denon, JVC, etc. DDs who have no interest in any current BD table. Possibly the most publicized account on A'gon was Albert Porter a few years ago when he replaced his quite expensive Walker BD with a rebuilt Technics SP-10 Mk2. Albert only replaced that when he found a rarer Mk3 model.

Keep in mind two points. Back in the '70s when many top quality DD tables came on to the market, their popularity influenced some manufacturers to begin building light-weight, cheaper versions to sell at lower prices. Many of those were not as successful sonically and ended up giving DD an undeserved reputation. Also, designing and manufacturing a quality DD table is far more complex than building a BD table, thus most manufactures did/do not have the resources or expertise to do so. It was/is far easier to buy a motor off the shelf, connect it with a belt, and criticize the DD designs.

Although it dates back even earlier, a similar story can be told for rim-drive tables compared to BD. Thus the current popularity for specific Garrard, Thorens, Lenco, etc. tables.

Direct drive is bad for music, but great for reliability. Companies spend huge amounts of money on motors for belt drive turntables, but they can never be perfect, at least not in this life. The belt separates the platter from that vibration creating motor. The best belt drive Turntables take it one step further, and put the motor on a separate platform. Only the belt connects it to the entire turntable.

Let me ask you- WHY WOULD YOU WANT THEM DIRECTLY CONNECTED? If you are a DJ, you need direct drive to start up instantly. If you are a music lover, you need a stylus that is entirely separated from vibration- and that includes the motor.

Pryso--I agree with your response, I've owned many good belt drive tables, and *tried* many DD. Even the biggest and most expensive DD's of the 80s like Denon was severly limited in capability compared to a humble Thorens or even a good Philips!

The responses here helped me find info on todays best DD, but they are too expensive for most of us. There were some interesting older designs, such as the Technics SL-5, 7 and 10-- these weren't too bad when they worked, but there were reliability issues. Still, for all the faults, they played records better than some of todays entry-level BD turntables with less fuss and bother. A good, simple linear tracker, even with a "close and play" lid can be greatly improved upon with a better motor and some careful parts and layout. No exotic or expensive parts, just some common sense audiophile thinking.

I think we've exhausted the tweaking with idler drives-- a good Thorens TD124, Garrard 401 or even a pimped rek-o-kut can sound quite good, albeit with too much rumble. A good DD has low rumble but can have speed control problems. If someone could come up with an improved DD motor and mount it in a well-designed but affordable plinth, we would really have something that competes with the belt-drives.

Just seems like we've reached the practical limit on belt drives with the upper range decks (Rega, VPI, Well Tempered) and can benefit from some fresh thinking.

Denon recently came out with a 'classic' DD, which is a rework of its less expensive units. I've heard it at a dealer and when compared with the VPI on demo at the dealer, I could not tell the difference.

I have friends who say they cannot tell the difference between direct drive tables and belt; I have no trouble hearing a difference myself. You pay your money and makes your choice. I was a dealer for Technics and Micro Seki when they made damm good DDs but I usually used the belt myself. YMMV