In praise of idlers

I do not understand the fascination for idlers, they were made for quick start and stop for radio stations , and not for a rumble free sound. All kinds if problems, and obsolete technology when DD arrived. EMT are ok but nothing I want, yes I heard some..
Yes not as quiet as a DD but without feedback , to keep the speed constant .I have a SP10MK2, EMT 948 , 124DD but listening most with my TD124.
 
My Lenco L75 / PTP6 runs even smoother as the Thorens TD125 MkII I owned before.
When I read your post I wonder how do you know it runs smoother? What kind of method do you use?
Thanks in advance.
 
When I was in 10th grade my Psychology teacher built me a Lenco L75 with an Ortofon arm. My saddest mistake in life was I threw it away when I was Technics crazy. Doh! I have always desired another.
 
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When I read your post I wonder how do you know it runs smoother? What kind of method do you use?
Thanks in advance.
Shaknspin W&F Analyzer

Dr. Feickerts-Adjust and Platterspeed

Dr. Fuss Power control & Stroboscope

My Ears
 
1731620082972-png.139736
Shaknspin is great, I find that using the excel function / data transfer and filtering out the high frequency noise gives plots that can tell much more than just the numbers
something like this..which shows my Michell Gyro, and EMT 938

Excel can to FFT too

My belt drive Michell Gyro

IMG_6740.png
 
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Shaknspin W&F Analyzer

Dr. Feickerts-Adjust and Platterspeed

Dr. Fuss Power control & Stroboscope

My Ears
What are the results?
 
I have listened , and measured ( good W&F) , I also was offered a national radio stations classic EMT for little money . I said no .
You listend, measured and didn't want it. So what. OK for you. But your contribution no. 536 simply shows your short-sightedness for idlers.
 
You listend, measured and didn't want it. So what. OK for you. But your contribution no. 536 simply shows your short-sightedness for idlers.
Maybe I am, what do you think are the advantages of idler drive? And how does the speed, rumle and spectrum and frequency plot of both silent groove and 3150 W&F track look like?
( I know the Shaknspin I did of EMT and Reed friction drive are good)

Are you talking about classic idler drive units or new like Reed friction drive.?

Subjective impressions about pace and rhythm at not very useful when comparing performance , so I prefer something more scientific.

Belt drive has som obvious problems that other methods avoid, but DD and Idlers have their own problems , all drive methods have weaknesses and strength,but I would be interested to see which idler that outperforms a proper DD ( which excludes Thorens DD124 by the way) on a technical merits, and on what parameters
 
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@Balle Clorin
Unlike modern turntables that strive for more technical improvements like in vibration and speed control, the attraction of idlers such as the vintage Garrard 301 is that they offer musical push/drive that fans find appealing.
 
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That I'm satisfied. The Lenco ist still with me.
That’s for sure—I favor Lenco among idlers too—but it would be great if you shared the results for comparison’s sake. While W&F measurements are not the final word on a turntable’s sound, they could still provide some insight into your satisfaction level.
 
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Maybe I am, what do you think are the advantages of idler drive? And how does the speed, rumle and spectrum and frequency plot of both silent groove and 3150 W&F track look like?
( I know the Shaknspin I did of EMT and Reed friction drive are good)

Are you talking about classic idler drive units or new like Reed friction drive.?

Subjective impressions about pace and rhythm at not very useful when comparing performance , so I prefer something more scientific.

Belt drive has som obvious problems that other methods avoid, but DD and Idlers have their own problems , all drive methods have weaknesses and strength,but I would be interested to see which idler that outperforms a proper DD ( which excludes Thorens DD124 by the way) on a technical merits, and on what parameters
What are the advantages/disadvantages of BD vs DD ..?
Talking in absolute terms ….
 
Maybe I am, what do you think are the advantages of idler drive? And how does the speed, rumle and spectrum and frequency plot of both silent groove and 3150 W&F track look like?
( I know the Shaknspin I did of EMT and Reed friction drive are good)

Are you talking about classic idler drive units or new like Reed friction drive.?

Subjective impressions about pace and rhythm at not very useful when comparing performance , so I prefer something more scientific.

Belt drive has som obvious problems that other methods avoid, but DD and Idlers have their own problems , all drive methods have weaknesses and strength,but I would be interested to see which idler that outperforms a proper DD ( which excludes Thorens DD124 by the way) on a technical merits, and on what parameters

Maybe I am, what do you think are the advantages of idler drive? And how does the speed, rumle and spectrum and frequency plot of both silent groove and 3150 W&F track look like?
( I know the Shaknspin I did of EMT and Reed friction drive are good)

Are you talking about classic idler drive units or new like Reed friction drive.?

Subjective impressions about pace and rhythm at not very useful when comparing performance , so I prefer something more scientific.

Belt drive has som obvious problems that other methods avoid, but DD and Idlers have their own problems , all drive methods have weaknesses and strength,but I would be interested to see which idler that outperforms a proper DD ( which excludes Thorens DD124 by the way) on a technical merits, and on what parameters
 
What are the advantages/disadvantages of BD vs DD ..?
Talking in absolute terms ….

That is a good question. I am not sure you can generalize about this. Does a light weight platter, suspended belt drive (Linn, Rega, VPI) sound like a high mass, unsuspended belt drive (Micro Seiki)? Does a vintage Denon direct drive sound like a GP Monaco or a new Technics?
 
Here is a speedspectrum measurement from a TD124 a random example certainly not the best one but very good speedstability, sidebands visible from tonearm, motorspeed and motor vibration.
20250301_174011.jpg
 
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That is a good question. I am not sure you can generalize about this. Does a light weight platter, suspended belt drive (Linn, Rega, VPI) sound like a high mass, unsuspended belt drive (Micro Seiki)? Does a vintage Denon direct drive sound like a GP Monaco or a new Technics?
Its why i said in absolute terms Peter , Best of Best ..

BTW , Do you consider VPI a light weight platter..( not talking entry level tables )
 
That is a good question. I am not sure you can generalize about this. Does a light weight platter, suspended belt drive (Linn, Rega, VPI) sound like a high mass, unsuspended belt drive (Micro Seiki)? Does a vintage Denon direct drive sound like a GP Monaco or a new Technics?
Mass or light weight is not important, just listen to the Rega Naida and your jaw will drop, it doesn't even weigh 10kg. This thing transports the music with a lightness that no other turntable can match. I think in the end it's always a question of taste whether you like stoic calm and steadfastness or agility.

P.S the naida is only made on request.
 

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