Direct drive vs belt vs rim vs idler arm

Belt drive is much better. When you connect the motor directly to the platter it introduces vibration. There are other things that effect sound quality, as well, but don't think too may people would disagree on the advantages of belt drive.

The worst - by far - is idler drive, followed from DD and best is Thread Drive (when done right).
But there is a Fangroup for everything :-)

Ahhh, three posts and three opinions. Let me be the fourth post and fourth opinion.

All systems at their ultimate execution, direct drive is best. Between idler and belt they are almost perfectly split with dynamics and punch in favor of the idler and signal to noise and simplicity in favor of the belt drive.

Yes, I've owned all three, and multiple versions of each design type.

Albertporter,

Can you give an example of a Direct Drive TT that you refer to? I'm not saying you are wrong, I just don't know of any.