Tbzc, did you demo the Helix versus a similarly specced and priced DD like the GPA Monaco 2.0?
No doubt those aficionados of mon wavering piano notes get the same satisfaction from DD as you do from yr belt drive.
I'm curious that the Dohmann website mentions a more comprehensive method of measuring speed fluctuations and correcting them than the Monaco, despite having umpteen measurements per revolution as standard btwn the Helix and Monaco.
I'd just like someone to explain how they differ in speed correction proceedure at this point.
No, I did not. I wish I would. The Monaco was actually recommended to me by one famous reviewer. At the end of a day I did not go down that route because I have read some reviews saying it is cold, thin.
I can not comment on how Dohmann control the speed but it is interesting that they use extremelly short belts, 2 of them with different thickness. Maybe this is also important, apart of its computer controlled speed correction.
But like Keith R said, it is very hard to compare analog and isolate the impact of table, arm, cart, wire and cable. Plus isolation under TT. And if you would do that you have to be very masterful to optimize the setup of vta, azimuth etc for each cart... But I strongly believe that you can balance the sound of your analog system to your preferences as long as the basic functionality (like speed) is ok.
For me changing a cart is a mental and physical project