High quality AC turntable motor

I have used a Crouzet motor and with the recommended phase capacitor it vibrates like a heavy duty sex toy. Since my turntable doesn't care about sex, it's not the thing!

I have tried a Maxon motor from Switzerland. It is a high torque motor but as people have suggested here it is not as smooth and noise free compared to the stock Philips motor on my Verdier.

The Townshend Merlin costs over £1200 UKP - and is essentially a mains sine wave re-generator. I contacted K&K - Kevins a nice guy BTW - his design, which is scheduled for next year, seems to follow the principle of the Rega P9 power supply that smooths out the power by angling the power into the motor to prevent the cogging. I am grateful for the feedback from the motor experimenters!

Whilst I understand that there is a school of thought about getting up to speed, and then simply maintaining it approach, I am beginning to be drawn down the high torque route. I am beginning to notice slight drag in very heavy and complicated passages on my current deck, which is why I wanted to use a higher torque option.

Just a thought, but have you tried a new belt and a good cleaning of the motor pulley and subplatter belt contact area? The stylus drag you are hearing sounds like compliance being introduced through belt slip or stretch.

If you can find one, I've found the Berger-Lahr motors to be considerably better than the Crouzet, Hurst or Saia, at least in terms of cogging. Unfortunately, the Airpax/Premotec motors are rather difficult to source however they offer the smoothest cogging characteristics out of any of them. Then again, I use a Mark Kelly Synchrotron controller, so I can null out most motors so that cogging vibration isn't too much of an issue.

Good luck and keep us posted.

I had a problem a while back with my Nott. seeming to drag some. I lifted off the motor pulley and discovered some hair wrapped around the motor shaft and wedged into the bushing. Removed it and everything was hunky-dory.