Direct drive vs Belt drive

[1KW]

Anyone know why direct drive tt are looked down upon by most audiophiles ? The direct drive has terrific specs., ie excellent speed stability and low rumble, wow and flutter . Belt drive tables are supposed to have more warmth at the expense of speed stability. If direct drive has better specs. then why are they only being used primarily on the lower cost DJ tables ? I have been thinking about upgrading my tt/ tone arm but I just don't understand why going to a belt drive mechanism is better ? I could be wrong but it seems like the discontinued Technic SP-10 MK3 was a nice tt . I have not decided which way to go and hope to learn more about turntables and hope that this will lead to a educational conversation.

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DD are looked down more so with manufactures than audiophiles IMO.......just look at everyone modding thier DD tables!

One main issue with DD tables is the motor being in direct contact with the platter and transmitting vibrations up into the platter. Alot of DD motors are low RPM devises and are subject to cogging which essentially is micro vibrations.

Manufactures found out going to a belt drive could not only address the vibrations from the DD motors but they could save a butt load of money.......as time went on the shiny silver disc pretty much killed the TT market and the few that remained manufacturing tables needed to really watch there $$$ if they wanted to stay in business. Over the next 10-20 years more R&D went into BD with better plinth design and tonearms which IMO was the biggest fault with the early DD tables and this may be the reason you are seeing lots of the early DD tables being modded today with exotic plinths and high dollar arms.....and those people swear by them as being the best.

Fast forward to today and we are seeing new DD being brought to market from Grand Prix Audio, Teres, TTWeights and a few more I can't remember at the moment. One thing for sure we are not seeing $1000 DD tables they are all high high dollar(10,000 and above) DD tables and after speaking with one of the manufactures of DD tables I carry he tells me its a very difficult task to accomplish, high $$$ with much needed attention spent in its design but well worth it in his opinion.

Bottom line is both designs have there strengths and weaknesses just like tubes vs solid state, vinyl vs digital etc......we all have our preference and can be debated until were all blue in the face. There is no winner here IMO......Another thing to look at is the last 10 years or so we have had nothing but BD tables with many new players entering the market with only a few recent releasing DD, this may be the (we need a change thing happening) think goverment! is it really better or just different. Anyway I welcome compitition as its good for us all. My two cents worth

Jeff

[Masterlu]

My Mag Drive motors for my aquarium have proven very reliable & quiet, albeit alittle too fast...

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Originally Posted by Masterlu

My Mag Drive motors for my aquarium have proven very reliable & quiet, albeit alittle too fast...

do fish prefer analog or digital

[audiosoul]

I dont think its an either or situation. Both DD and BD TT's have there attributes. Way back when, there was this certain gentlman name Ivor Tiefenbrun that sold BD TT's and campained very heavily for "HIS" TT. I read an article some months ago by a british journalist that said Ivor was the best natural sales man that he ever came across. He sure had a lot of people brainwashed. I have owned both DD and BD TT's and have appreciated them both. I happen now to prefer a BD TT. That can change though....