Hi Jeff.
As you stated, the motor capstan on a Raven is not designed for the 1/2" mylar used by Galibier/Redpoint/Teres tables, so you had to use 1/4" or 3/8".
Reducing the contact patch by 25% or 50% is a serious disadvantage. In this application a 1/2" mylar belt just barely resists audible slippage, and only when it's the right thickness and texture. Our setup has almost no tolerance for deviations. Reducing the contact patch with a narrower belt undoubtedly allowed increased slippage, which audibly smeared transients, softened dynamics and bass, etc.
Of the tables we've heard that use elastic belts (as opposed to inelastic mylar), the Ravens are the best at preserving transients. Unless you changed the capstan for a taller one I doubt you'd do much better than the supplied belt.
As you stated, the motor capstan on a Raven is not designed for the 1/2" mylar used by Galibier/Redpoint/Teres tables, so you had to use 1/4" or 3/8".
Reducing the contact patch by 25% or 50% is a serious disadvantage. In this application a 1/2" mylar belt just barely resists audible slippage, and only when it's the right thickness and texture. Our setup has almost no tolerance for deviations. Reducing the contact patch with a narrower belt undoubtedly allowed increased slippage, which audibly smeared transients, softened dynamics and bass, etc.
Of the tables we've heard that use elastic belts (as opposed to inelastic mylar), the Ravens are the best at preserving transients. Unless you changed the capstan for a taller one I doubt you'd do much better than the supplied belt.