RE: Idler Whieel/Rim Drive vs Belt Drive: Impressions

Posted by DaveV (A) on June 22, 2012 at 09:29:24

In Reply to: Idler Whieel/Rim Drive vs Belt Drive: Impressions posted by Mr Blue Sky on June 22, 2012 at 02:12:07:

OK, I'll stick my neck out on this one.
As a "generalization" that might be the conventional wisdom but is it actually fact?
If we're not using names I'll just say that I've been using a popular older idler drive for years and your description fits compared to a newer model belt drive from the same manufacturer that was $500 with arm around 1990.
One day for kicks I pulled out another belt drive table from the same manufacturer but it was the model that replaced the idler drive and it's a lot heavier all the way around including bigger-heavier bearings.
With the same arm/cartridge combo mounted on it I wondered why the bad rap for belt drive because it did at least 90% of what the idler drive does in presentation and the bass was far better than I expected it would be.
That made me wonder if the bad rap mostly came from using low mass arms and very high compliance cartridges on lightweight tables because that combo is more likely to be more tame and very smooth sounding.
I think if you really like all the "slam" you can get, one of the older better idler drives is the way to go but if price is a factor there are alternatives in belt drive that are also very good.

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Follow Ups Full Thread

Topic - Idler Whieel/Rim Drive vs Belt Drive: Impressions - Mr Blue Sky 02:12:07 06/22/12 (25)

Idler vs all other drives - tubesforever 19:56:35 06/22/12 (2)

Excellent post, tubesforever! - Mr Blue Sky 20:32:42 06/22/12 (1)

System matching is critical - tubesforever 10:45:41 06/24/12 (0)

RE: Idler Whieel/Rim Drive vs Belt Drive: Impressions - mark111 15:21:09 06/22/12 (2)

Exactly. - mosin 15:38:52 06/22/12 (0)

RE: Idler Whieel/Rim Drive vs Belt Drive: Impressions - Mr Blue Sky 15:37:50 06/22/12 (0)

Can "warmer" come from slightly slower speed? - M3 lover 11:45:04 06/22/12 (2)

RE: Can "warmer" come from slightly slower speed? - Mr Blue Sky 12:01:48 06/22/12 (1)

The ear may be the best measurement tool! - M3 lover 13:50:39 06/22/12 (0)

Impressions ... - Stitch 10:34:13 06/22/12 (3)

RE: Impressions ... - Lew 22:40:09 06/22/12 (1)

RE: Impressions ... - moffat 02:35:18 06/23/12 (0)

Hahaha... - Mr Blue Sky 11:57:30 06/22/12 (0)

RE: Idler Whieel/Rim Drive vs Belt Drive: Impressions - petertg 10:21:00 06/22/12 (0)

RE: Idler Whieel/Rim Drive vs Belt Drive: Impressions - SgreenP@MSN.com 09:37:30 06/22/12 (0)

RE: Idler Whieel/Rim Drive vs Belt Drive: Impressions - DaveV 06/22/1209:29:24 06/22/12 (0)

RE: Idler Whieel/Rim Drive vs Belt Drive: Impressions - 3db 04:38:11 06/22/12 (8)

did you read the post carefully??? - samstone 08:02:47 06/22/12 (5)

RE: did you read the post carefully??? - 3db 10:14:25 06/22/12 (4)

All comparsions and opinions are "subjective crap". - Mr Blue Sky 11:52:39 06/22/12 (3)

RE: All comparsions and opinions are "subjective crap". - 3db 13:03:53 06/22/12 (1)

RE: All comparsions and opinions are "subjective crap". - Mr Blue Sky 13:23:32 06/22/12 (0)

Well said. (nt) - reelsmith. 11:58:26 06/22/12 (0)

A little - JeffH 06:26:19 06/22/12 (0)

Relax dude!!! This is for fun! - BR 05:03:16 06/22/12 (0)

Follow Ups

RE: Idler Whieel/Rim Drive vs Belt Drive: Impressions - DaveV 06/22/1209:29:24 06/22/12 (0)

RE: Idler Whieel/Rim Drive vs Belt Drive: Impressions

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