why is belt drive better than direct drive?

i'm cruising the used market for a 2nd TT. i like the looks of some of the Micro Seikis but come across hints that the drives may be undesireable. i haven't found a source for basic TT info. opinions?

jwblaschke08-28-2001 2:11am

Showing 6 responses by psychicanimal

psychicanimal Details Discussions Posts This discussion Message User 1,738 posts 08-29-2001 at 12:45am Copy Comment URL Report Comment Edit Delete You are assuming belt drive is better when you posted your question. Not a good start... I sell industrial inkjet coding equipment. Are 'drop on demand' inkjet printers better than 'continuous' inkjet printers? It all depends. It has to be dealt with on a case by case basis. So with direct drive and belt drive TT systems. You need to ask yourself what do you the turntable to do. Yes, play music, of course, but there's more to it than that. All my TTs have been direct drive. I find it very hard to part with their strengths and am willing to work with their weaknesess (like isolation). Direct drives are for people who PLAY records. Do you want to PLAY records?
psychicanimal Details Discussions Posts This discussion Message User 1,738 posts 08-31-2001 at 07:15pm Copy Comment URL Report Comment Edit Delete My criteria are posted in this thread: http://audiogo5.iserver.net/cgi-bin/fr.pl?eanlg&994213579&openflup&6&4#6
psychicanimal Details Discussions Posts This discussion Message User 1,738 posts 08-29-2001 at 08:01pm Copy Comment URL Report Comment Edit Delete No one can PLAY records on a belt drive. DJs epitomize this concept...still, some people like fast starting, high torque, speed accuracy (frequency generated quartz lock)and electric braking. Those are the features that allow us to PLAY records. That's why DJs embraced the Technics 1200. It was never designed as a DJ turntable. DJs discovered it, though... My 1200 is undergoing the modification process-$lowly...these modifications will convert it to a true high end Direct Drive TT system. It will harbor a low output MC yet it will still PLAY records. Three links: www.kabusa.com www.needledoctor.com www.1200s.com
psychicanimal Details Discussions Posts This discussion Message User 1,738 posts 08-31-2001 at 01:00am Copy Comment URL Report Comment Edit Delete Play means play, Sean...go borrow a high torque DD with electric brake like my 1200 and you'll find out. That's why I chose it over a Sota Comet (after finding out it could be modified for high end performance). I realized I still wanted to PLAY records. Maybe I haven't grown up and am still a HiFi bum. Oh, well... "Yo le digo caballero que los niños quieren jugar--ellos tienen que jugar." Carlos Santana
psychicanimal Details Discussions Posts This discussion Message User 1,738 posts 08-31-2001 at 01:22pm Copy Comment URL Report Comment Edit Delete As I wrote earlier, gentlemen, this matter is dependent on a case by case basis. In my case ($1000 budget), I did not see any belt drive outperforming (on several parameters, not just sound) a modified 1200. As conscious, skilled and 'lucky' of a buyer as I am, my system will get close to $4000-4500. That's it. Period. (Well, maybe a sub...) I listen to all types types of music, except racist (both black and neonazi). If a system is way too perfect, it will be ruthlessly revealling, and I won't be able to enjoy listening my music. Fact of life learned while selling audio in college (those B&W 801s were very nasty--could only play two rock groups on them: Alan Parsons and Pink Floyd). If you pursue absolute perfection and like more than just classical music and "Blue Note" quality jazz your listening room will become.....The Voodoo Lounge.
psychicanimal Details Discussions Posts This discussion Message User 1,738 posts 09-02-2001 at 11:10pm Copy Comment URL Report Comment Edit Delete Yeah, when I have enough money to spare on a VPI with flywheel and a Graham...In the meantime, modified 1200. Nothing in between for me.

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