Turntable Theory on the Optimal Turntable

[MrC.]

Mr.C, How does one keep the vibrations from an idler wheel or rim drive from influencing the platter or from migrating to the bearing or arm mount if all the connections are so stiff?

I don’t know if one can. Win Tinson’s design did not have any rumble that I could detect for being an idler, nor Thomas Schick’s design. Modern lenco and Thorens fans replace the idler wheels with those whose “tire” is precision ground. To what extent any rumble or vibration still gets transmitted or if that is even noticeable given stylus noise, is beyond my knowledge.

 

[mtemur]

Mr.C, How does one keep the vibrations from an idler wheel or rim drive from influencing the platter or from migrating to the bearing or arm mount if all the connections are so stiff?

You can't or I should say One can't. And please add direct drives to the list. With those drive types one's listening to motor noise and rumble. Sorry I jumped in.

A belt drive using a woven silk belt can be good but only when left without slack in the system. These are only opinions nor can any be defended from your own preferences.

You're describing exactly Kondo Ginga. I listened 3 different Gingas over time. That's a very nice sounding turntable. I don't agree with you on rim/idler/direct drive.

 

[bonzo75]

I don’t know if one can. Win Tinson’s design did not have any rumble that I could detect for being an idler, nor Thomas Schick’s design. Modern lenco and Thorens fans replace the idler wheels with those whose “tire” is precision ground. To what extent any rumble or vibration still gets transmitted or if that is even noticeable given stylus noise, is beyond my knowledge.

What music and records do you use to evaluate analog? Based on your signature your system is MBL 111 with Atmasphere amps? The OTL drive the MBL with the auto formers?

 

[MrC.]

Mr.C, How does one keep the vibrations from an idler wheel or rim drive from influencing the platter or from migrating to the bearing or arm mount if all the connections are so stiff?

I don’t know if one can. Win Tinson’s design did not have any rumble that I could detect for being an idler, nor Thomas Schick’s design. Modern lenco and Thorens fans replace the idler wheels with those whose “tire” is precision ground. To what extent any rumble or vibration still gets transmitted or if that is even noticeable given stylus noiseis beyond my knowledge.

What music and records do you use to evaluate analog? Based on your signature your system is MBL 111 with Atmasphere amps? The OTL drive the MBL with the auto formers?

Yes, the 111s work surprisingly well with the autoformers in the chain. My amps see a minimum of 11 ohms as a result and work beautifully. I use records that have a lot of dynamics. I like Alejandro Jodorovsky's soundtrack from the Holy Mountain. Slade Alive is a good album to evaluate spacial clues. I listen to rock albums that I am familiar with like Yes Fragile and vocals from Yves Montand and Bing Crosby.

 

[Lagonda]

And Ked is out !

 

[thekong]

Idler drive is an interesting beast, a friend of mine once brought over a modified Lenco with slate plinth, nothing exotic! While the background noise cannot be compared to highend direct and belt / string drive, the leading edge and explosive transient seemed to bettered even the high torque Technics SP10 MK3! I don’t know why, but when I auditioned that Lenco for the first time, it just startled me a bit when those explosive passages hit!

One interesting point is while the older Japanese direct drive used high torque motors, some modern direct drive, such as Brinkmann, prefer using lower torque motors!

One of my engineer friends plan on experimenting using a Technics SP10 MK2 motor for belt / string drive. That would probably be interesting!

 

[bonzo75]

And Ked is out !

I suspected the music taste because of the preference for direct drive and not liking belts