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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
pedroeb
493 posts
 
terry9

Yes, tangential tonearms sound better. But they are a higher end thing, and you probably won't hear the benefits until you're spending a fair bit.

How handy are you? It's not hard to make a DIY belt drive table that will be far better than anything you can buy for the same price. I had a pretty hefty budget for a TT and used the money to DIY - and the result is quite phenomenal. And the journey was a treat not to be missed.

DIY forever!

Terry,

I couldn't agree more. I modded just about everything in one way or another and I'm mighty impressed with the final results.
 

One piece of equipment I haven't considered is the turntable.  Details of your components would be a terrific starting point to get me started.

 

surfmuz
380 posts
 

I don’t have anything against Technics or DD. Both, the brand and technology is great and have their pluses, but I like the BD better. According to Mechanic rules (mechanic as part of physics) it is much harder to maintain balance and isolation of shaft with motor attached to it towards surface than shaft separated from the motor. 

relayer101's avatar
relayer101
606 posts
 

I’m a big fan of the Technics Direct Drive tables. Still have one that I purchased new in 1978 for $150 and while I didn’t use it much for many years I recently set it up in my office system and it sounds great and is quiet and keeps perfect speed.

You have a nice system and it would be worth the extra $500 to jump up to the 1200GR. I would do the same myself if my old table would ever break down but that is probably unlikely.  

sandthemall
544 posts
 

Yes, the Ortofon red is quite good as a first cartridge. I tried it and was pleasantly surprised. I’ve since moved on to MC carts and am loving the detail they provide.

Hard to go wrong with DD turntables. I had a Technics SL1200mk2 for 20 trouble free years and finally moved up to a 1200G. Technics makes outstanding TTs. Can’t go wrong. They have such a strong grip on the sound. The new technics tonearms run better gimbal bearings than the older mk2 standard...you can feel the difference, which is kind of incredible if you know that handling the old tonearm felt like handling ’air’.

Lot’s of other great designs out there. But it’s really easy setup-wise having a Technics.

Good luck!

 

asvjerry's avatar
asvjerry
4,389 posts
 

@pedroeb....Well, I'm a fan mostly due the logic of 'method in +/- = method out' v. the function of an arc. Cart selection will vary per taste, as usual.

Obviously, you'd be back to the best table you can strive for....

Actually I went to the Clearaudio site, products tonearms scroll down and they're all there....although there's more of them about...

I've been curious about diy'g a tang, as that's about as well.

If you've the chance to hear one regardless of the cart....won't hurt, 'cept the price. *L*

 

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