One of the major things, if not the major thing, that power supplies like the Lingo, VPI SDS & ADS and other turntable power supplies designed for AC motors do is ramp the voltage down significantly after startup.
The Linn and VPI power supplies, for example, ramp voltage down from about 115-120 (in North America) at startup to between 70-90 volts which results in a fairly significant reduction in motor noise & vibration (which is transferred directly through the belt to the platter).
You can achieve exactly the same thing with a variable output transformer for less than $100, which is what I've been doing with my Michell Gryodec for about the past 8 years. On my Gyrodec, if you start the table at 115 volts and then ramp the voltage down, you can literally feel the motor vibration reducing/falling off if you place your hand on the motor housing when doing so.
Using Audioorigami oil and replacing the steel ball in my Gyro with a Grade 3 silicon nitride ball from Boca Bearings (about $3), I can reduce the voltage to around 50.
Improvements are unquestionably audible; whether it is worth a thousand or two thousand dollars is entirely subjective, of course, like most of this hobby.
The Linn and VPI power supplies, for example, ramp voltage down from about 115-120 (in North America) at startup to between 70-90 volts which results in a fairly significant reduction in motor noise & vibration (which is transferred directly through the belt to the platter).
You can achieve exactly the same thing with a variable output transformer for less than $100, which is what I've been doing with my Michell Gryodec for about the past 8 years. On my Gyrodec, if you start the table at 115 volts and then ramp the voltage down, you can literally feel the motor vibration reducing/falling off if you place your hand on the motor housing when doing so.
Using Audioorigami oil and replacing the steel ball in my Gyro with a Grade 3 silicon nitride ball from Boca Bearings (about $3), I can reduce the voltage to around 50.
Improvements are unquestionably audible; whether it is worth a thousand or two thousand dollars is entirely subjective, of course, like most of this hobby.