Direct drive/rim drive/idler drive vs. belt drive?


O.K. here is one for all the physics majors and engineers.

Does a high mass platter being belt driven offer the same steady inertia/speed as a direct drive or idler drive?
Is the lack of torque in the belt drive motor compensated for by the high mass platter. Object in motion stays in motion etc. Or are there other factors to take into consideration?
I am considering building up a Garrard 301 or Technics SP10, but is it all nonsense about the advantage of torque.
I am aware that the plinths on these tables can make a huge difference, I've got that covered.
My other options would be SME20 or Basis 2500 of Kuzma Stogi Reference etc.
If I have misstated some technical word, please avert your eyes. I don't want a lecture on semantics, I think everyone knows what I mean.
Thanks in advance.
mrmatt

Showing 2 responses by jax2

I cannot speak generally to the question, but Chris Brady did a demo at RMAF, one year, comparing his rim drive to his belt drive on the same table and system. I'm sure everyone in the room could clearly hear the difference as it was not subtle. The rim drive had a blacker background and seemed to bring out more detail...kind of a veil-lifting effect.
Maybe some Teres or VPI guys who participated in this will chime in.

I'm not a "Teres or VPI guy" but I play one on TV, and I already chimed in above on that very topic. Peter used to be a Teres guy and he heard that demo too. As you know, he's been replaced his Teres and has become one of those Technics Guys. Or is it, once a Teres guy, always a Teres guy? Or maybe once you've had Technics you can't ever go back?