Direct drive vs belt vs rim vs idler arm

Here's an interesting test for those of you who
have belt drives, especially those with rubber belts like the VPI's.

Right, but this is based on VPI's ultra low quality. But you find that very
often with the stuff from other Manufacturers, too. Ever checked a Raven
belt? The word "Precision" you find mainly in their advertising
ads.
Try that with a Basis belt :-)
Or try a Timeline, it is a disaster for the majority of Manufacturers, they
aren't able to offer a proper motor, even when you can buy 3 of them.
Based on that inferior Design solutions I agree that a direct Drive can
give better results. But this is not based on its Design, it is based on the
low quality from the others even when they are very expensive. The
majority of owners believe that the offered product (whatever it is,
Tonearm, Cartridge, Speaker...) is simply perfect form the Design, the
Manufacturers and his cohorts are directly sent from God to bring joy to
everyone and it can be made better, maybe only with more money, but
they don't even think about the correctness of the Design itself. Or what
they really get for the money. Most learn by spending money, but even
that does not educate generally.

Ptm, I tried your "interesting test" on my SME 30/12 belt drive. Not easy as the motor pulley is under and very close to the large platter. The rubber belt has only 1" of exposed length between the driven pulley and the platter. I felt none of "the vibrational energy being transmitted to the platter" that you mention. Perhaps the massive SME is built to a different standard than the VPI. I do notice though that the SME has a much shorter "free" belt length than most other belt drive tables - even Syntax's beloved Basis table. I've often wondered about the effect of belt length on these designs.

I don't know of anyone who has tried thread or tape drive on an SME table.

As far as the quality of the belt itself is concerned, I have not directly compared the SME belt to the Basis belt which is purported to be one of the finest in the industry. I agree with those who have written that each design has its strengths and weaknesses so implementation of a proper design is critical to the end result.

Very interesting thread.

I have never had a chance to try the Timeline device. Some have reported very impressive results with the Timeline. They have seen zero drift of the red line playing the entire side of a record. That is approx. 833 revolutions. I figure if my tt looses one revolution out of 10,000, I would be ok with that. That is 0.01% accuracy. Does that seem reasonable? Well, if so then that would translate to a 30 degree drift of the red line from the Timeline after playing one side of a record. I would still call that good.

Syntax,

I may be even more cynical than you! I believe the overwhelming bulk of merchandise made is created mainly for profit, with the case being the part which receives the most attention. For example, one very famous turntable maker that almost everyone has heard of uses a $56 AC motor, and that's assuming you buy one, not a quantity. Well, we bought six of them, and they all cog an unbelievable amount. Even worse, spindle diameter wasn't at all consistent. The bottom line here is that some manufacturers build only for price points and marketing spin, yet audiophiles continue to eat it up.

However, I also know of manufacturers who live audio, and for them expanding the art trumps anything else, so hope springs eternal because they manage to find like minded customers.

We'll survive! :)

The main problem of idler drive is people have opinions on it after hearing turntable from the 60'. I have built my lenco after reading Salvatore review of the J Nantais reference Lenco.
I have tried different material and finished with a non wood plinth, a reference bearing ,and some tweaks ,an OL conqueror mk II and a zyx airy 3 . The sound is impressive, nothing to hear here with the traditional sound of idler drive.
Then i have heard a Lenco made by a hifi fanatic, and very sympathic person. He built a 200 kgs Lenco with its own table (as the goldmund reference),the finish is impressive, there are many many tweaks but it's idler drive and the sound on his high end system is incredible, in the treble it betters all the belt drive turntables I have listened to.