Direct Drive

@drbond

You say, "AnalogMagik software does measure instantaneous speed. I think Fremer may use it, or possibly have some other software by which he determines the variability and stability of speed control of the turntables that he evaluates."

I was speaking of fundamental physical constraints, not marketing claims. Speed is defined as displacement / time. We’ve known since Planck that the world is quantized, not infinitely smooth. Hence instantaneous speed is a theoretical concept which cannot be physically realized.

It remains only to specify how close a given measurement is to the ideal. Visible light brings constraints in terms of wavelength. Markings to denote the boundaries of the average are required - how finely are they drawn? What is the sampling rate? Each of these introduces quantization AND each of these introduces its own source of error.

That’s all. My point is simply, "How coarse are those averages, and even if they were analyzed completely, what can those averages tell us?" I suspect that our ears/brains, the result of a billion years of evolution (with survival at stake), tell us more.

@mahler123, I've owned a number of classic cars, so I get what you are saying. A few further comments... The new Technics designs are much better than the old "disco" 1200. As you already have a phono stage/s, I think its worth going for the SL1210GR. Regarding the digital comparison, I suspect you will like it's pitch stability and bass control compared to comparably priced belt driven designs. The turntable is superb in terms of its fit and finish and ergonomically, it's delightful to use. I previously owned a 1200G which replaced an SME 20. The SME was more neutral tonally but the Technics was more interesting to listen to. It has since been replaced by a Clearaudio - but it's an Innovation with professional PSU and Universal arm. That combination is in a different league to the Concept - as it should be at the price - and combines the best qualities of the SME and the Technics.

Of course anyone who knows nows there are good & bad examples of just about every turntable design in just about all price ranges. This goes for tonearms too but maybe not so much for cartridges. Similar to loudspeakers (not coincidentally), there are a few really good "buys' here & there at lower prices but generally, good, full range sound & realistic volume levels (for speakers) is going to cost you. 

I used Technics turntables eons ago when I worked in the pro sound industry, sounded pretty good, well made, pretty much set & forget. For my own systems , I've always had good belt drive units from Thorens, VPI, SOTA (w/ a Souther Linear Arm - a bear to set up but did sound good) to my current Basis 2500 w/ their Vector 4 arm. I've had it for 20 years & it sounds as good today as it did new which is VERY good w/only one belt change & 2 new good moving coil cartridges. I agree w/ others here than a good phono amp is required to get the most out of your turntable. 

So I just bought the 1500 from Music Direct. I live in Chicago so I will pick it up probably next weekend, as I will take advantage of proximity to avoid the potential ravages of the shipping company and the rapacious Porch Pirates. This will give me a chance to acquire a few more lps as well. I upgraded the cartridge to Ortofon 2M Blue on the basis of suggestions here.

The phono preamp will probably be superfluous but I haven’t used  my two preamps for several years and although they seem to fire up when plugged in, I just prefer the security of knowing that I can actually play a record the day I set it up and don’t have delayed gratification issues.

This has really been educational. I learned a lot and there are some interesting and knowledgeable posters here that I don’t tend to see in the other Forums on Agon that I frequent. I will post back in a few weeks with impressions.

@mahler123 

Congratulations on fulfilling a longtime desire.The Technics 1500 is a nice table and I'm sure you will get a lot of enjoyment from it and from hunting for those hard to find albums.

Enjoy! That's what it is all about!