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TT drive belt comparison

Hi folks,

Last night and today we A/B'd the two drive belts that came with our new Teres 265. One is the standard silk string as explained on the Teres web site. The other is a 1/2" wide length of spliced magnetic tape. Chris Brady is now supplying a 1/2" high motor pulley, at least on some models, and is testing a variety of belt materials.

SUMMARY: the magnetic tape beats the silk string very handily

Why? Because the tape provides better speed stability. The audible differences are at the micro-detail and instrumental/voice timbre levels, but they are clear and entirely in favor of the tape. The tape significantly reduces the time-smearing of notes, making the whole system sound faster and cleaner.

Soprano soloists and choruses are notably clearer, cleaner, better differentiated, less shrill, less sibilant. Very high-pitched organ notes are far less smeared or distorted, as is every note and overtone on that notoriously difficult beast, the harpsichord. The voice of a bowed cello or bass is weightier and more authentic because each vibration of the string is now clear. Individual voices in the orchestra are more individual, less mushed together. Nearly all attacks are quicker and weightier.

I could go on but you get the idea. If your Teres (or other TT) will accomodate a tape rather than a string or rubber belt, I recommend you try it. It's fussier to set up. The motor and platter must be levelled exactly the same or the tape will crawl off the pulley. I shimmed the cups beneath our motor spikes with varous thicknesses of paper and now the tape stays in the center of the pulley.

Good job Chris!
dougdeacon
twl
3,251 posts
 
I also found the non-stretch materials to be best in my system. I actually went to using Spectra fishing line, which is totally non-stretch and even used in bulletproof vests. It sounded better than the silk, and fit my pulley which was designed for the silk cord. It was a bitch to tension because of the total lack of any stretch, but once it was tensioned it stayed perfect. However, it was a little rough on the aluminum pulley, and it started to wear a groove in it. I am not in the camp that prefers the rubber belts.

I am very interested in trying the tape drive, and have already contacted Chris about a change-over on my table. I am looking forward to this with great anticipation.
teres
120 posts
 
You can get the decorative maylar tape at:

http://www.mccormicksnet.com/mccormicks/tapes.htm

Scroll down to the bottom of the page and look for
Mylar Streamers". Availabile in a variety of bright
colors for the adventursome and also plain old black.
$4.10 for a 100' roll.

Chris
dougdeacon OP
3,338 posts
 

WARNING TO ALL
Cut power to your Teres motor before attempting to feed the tape. Once the tape is on the pulley, even part way, any movement of the platter will start the motor and there goes your tape. Voice of experience :(

RANDOM THOUGHTS
If 1/2" tape is good, would 3/4" or 1" tape be even better?
Does wider tape put more pressure on the motor bearings?
sean
6,231 posts
 
A wider tape or drive material should:

1) spread out the vibrational load introduced to the platter that originated with the motor in a more consistent manner

2) help to damp air or platter-borne vibrations due to the increased contact area of the tape with platter

3) offer a greater contact area for improved power transfer with less slippage

4) cause less "walking" of the spindle within the shaft resulting in greater pitch stability

5) reduce eratic bearing wear

Sounds like a "win/win" situation in "theory".

How does one go about sizing the tape / mylar and attaching it to itself once cut to size ? Sean
>
dougdeacon OP
3,338 posts
 
Sean, sounds like I should get some 70mm film stock and a really tall pulley!

My tape was spliced just like the leader on a VHS tape would be.
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