Direct drive vs belt vs rim vs idler arm

Gentlepeople
A simple dynamic load test you might want to try if you havent already done so, is to hold your finger against the rotating platter while playing music.
No strobes, timelines needed just your ears. Can you hear a speed change?
How much drag do you need to apply before a chance is apparent?

Now the validity of this test is matter of opinion. But if we can hear an obvious change, one would think that there would likely be tiny changes
due to stylus drag and that this would be at least subliminally important and deleterious.

Again the method of drive/ control comes into play here and we each need to decide which does the least harm.

to me, it looks like the Fat Bob is running very slightly fast, as the line moves very slowly to the right on each revolution. When the stylus drag is applied, the line quickly moved to the left, indicating a slowing of speed, and then stayed there, indicating a constant 33.33 rpm under load. the video didnt stay on long enough to see if that changed, but to me, it reflected a design which rendered the proper speed under load. Is something wrong with that?
disclosure. I own a Transrotor Fat Bob an like it very much.

FWIW, I use a "Jeremy" bearing on my Lenco. Jeremy is in England and makes several different versions of replacement bearings for Lenco and possibly for Garrard. I have his "Superbearing" with an accessory clamp that attaches underneath the turntable chassis to keep a firm grip on the bearing housing. The whole assembly really works. Note, I have not compared the Superbearing to any other aftermarket bearing, just to the stock Lenco bearing assembly.

Manitunc, Don't sweat it.

I'm not sweating it. Just responding to a previous post that suggests the video shows the transrotor as being seriously deficient in speed regulation. I didnt get that from the video, but if others can point out how to get to that conclusion, I am all ears.

I was trying to be supportive. I think the availability of the Timeline has created a furor that is completely out of proportion to its real significance. A case of too much information.