Direct Drive


I am firmly in the digital camp, but I’ve dabbled in vinyl.  Back in the day I was fascinated by Technics Direct Drive tt, but couldn’t afford them.  I was stuck with my entry level Gerrard.  I have been sans turntable for about 5 years now but the new gear bug is biting.  I am interested in the Technics 1500 which comes with an Ortofon Red and included pre amp.  I have owned Rega P5 which I hated for its speed instability and a Clearaudio Concept which was boring as hell.

  Direct Drive was an anathema to audiophiles in the nineties but every time I heard  one it knocked my socks off.  What do the analogers here think of Direct Drive?  I listen to Classical Music exclusively 

mahler123

Showing 13 responses by goofyfoot

@juanmanuelfangioii Do you believe that a motor upgrade, like those from Origin Live, would make noticeable improvement with a Thorens TD 145? It does seem that a belt driven table lends itself to more upgrades and refinements than a direct drive table but that may be due to my lack of knowledge.

@sokogear I can't understand why most Rega owners wouldn't opt for Origin Live tonearms. OL turned the Rega on its head and is considered a bargain.

What about the idler drive tables like the Lenco, Thorens or Garrard? The motors have to be modified to run silent but they are legendary and the arm boards are easy to change out.

Many years back I bought a Technics SP-10 at a garage sale. I never thought it was anything special. To each their own I guess. VPI makes a DD turntable for a mere $22,000.00 retail. I have to wonder why this table would be as expensive as it is?

https://vpiindustries.com/products/hw-40-black-edition

@snilf I've been modifying my TD145 MK1. It's a dedicated mono table. I just need to buy and install an Origin Live tonearm and an EMT mono cartridge and then I'm done. Right now I have the original but upgraded TP-16 and an AT 33 Mono Anniversary cartridge. I have to admit certain pressings sound very good but the end goal should smoke what I have now.

@sokogear And the tonearm is the best part of the Rega table? I’m not that well versed in Rega tables but that doesn’t seem too encouraging. People rave about Rega tables but I don’t hear praise about the Rega tonearm by itself so there is something that I’m not getting.

I believe one of the things that should be recognized here is whether a vintage table would be preferable to a modern table. Micro-Seiki made some great DD tables but many believe the newer tables to be better. I'd say decide for yourself as either is just a preference.

@dover So your saying that the Rega arms are built better than the OL arms. I've been told differently by a dealer of both brands but I wouldn't rule it out. I doubt either tonearms are built like an SME, Triplaner, and many others at that level.

@dover The OL's use gimbal bearings. OL incorporates a floating bearing design  but I don't believe they're loose. My thought is that one would have to do a side by side comparison to determine which arms sounds better. I'd expect to see  comparisons of Rega and OL reviewed online but oddly I cannot find any. The Rega price tag is enticing.

Out of curiosity, are there certain stereo and/or mono cartridge that match up especially well with the Rega arms? 

@dover Threaded VTA adjusters are available for any Rega mount. https://soundsupports.co.uk/Rega%20Related%20Products/

Of course Rega wants their customers to buy Rega cartridges but to me that seems limiting. I do believe in the compatibility factor, meaning certain cartridges perform better with certain tonearms. But Clearaudio cartridges with Clearaudio tables and Rega cartridges with Rega tables; on that I'm not yet sold.

@dover @sokogear  Know anything about the Rega 78 table and cartridge combination? Seems like the best option for 78 shellac records. Also, it's large leap in price from the Rega 880 to the 3000.