Direct drive vs belt vs rim vs idler arm

You cannot beat a well designed and implemented idler drive. Maybe some people should listen to an EMT 927 before writing about idler drive. Yes this is the drama with amateurs :-)

Viridian, you wrote:
"So......you listen to turntables professionally? Where can I apply for that job?"

sorry for my late reply. It was a kind of replic to all these guys who still believe that in the studios (so called professionals) they used pro-gear but these units could'nt be well designed or appropriate for us audiophiles. Maybe the biggest mistake ever made!

This is why some people still believe good idlers make noises only - the next biggest mistake.

I am using three other belt drives (MS and Continuum) and believe they sound terrific, not only because of the drive. I also loved my Nakamichi DD but to be very honest the best investment I ever made was my EMT R80 idler drive playing with a TSD 15 Anniversary via a Western Electric 618B SUT.

So maybe the job you are applying for is already booked, nevertheless if you are close by to Munich we could arrange an exchange, maybe I can learn something.

all the best

Lawrence,
even if this is the case as you described very well with the Lenco users this is not an argument against idler drives per se. Not all horn systems have a limited bandwith. I am a running a perfectly adjusted EMT R 80 idler with my modern 5way horn system (TAD berrylium drivers) with two active subs and I am pretty sure there is no limitation at all. I am able to compare all three drive technologies in one system. As said before in the Top League it is more a matter of implementation than what kind of drive you are going for.

Lespier,
I agree! the long delay after moderators have finally agreed that our contributions will not lead to revolution on Audigon makes it very difficult following the discussion. It takes away some of the fun we had in earlier times. Living in a fast world with the experience that on other Forums comments or responses are possible within minutes I may ask if this is the best/benchmark approach guiding an Audio Forum?

Mosin,
an excellent summary you made which I will fully underwrite. Especially on idler drives many among us seem to have made not the best experiences and this is definitely due to the equipment they were working with. If you put a lot of efforts in carefully designing and implementing designs on belt drives (best with two excellent motors and a perfect steering) as well as idlers you reach wonderful results. It is more the concept and its implementation rather than the difference between the various drive technologies which makes the difference!

Dear Lewm,
yes, the 5 way horns changed a lot and improved the listening quality. In the last days I was frequently asked why I am offering my Micro SX 8000 II, my love baby - by which my real passion with analogue audio started. It is very simple: I am running out of space in "my small room". It is not a matter of drive technology at all. I have three big TTs left, two are belt driven ones, one is another SX 8000.

When you are following the discussion about the TechDas, also a belt driven concept, one might get the impression that regarding the price there are three times more people getting a stake than it used to be some 25 years ago when the original design entered the audio world.