2. analog
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Are more turntable motors better?

I did a quick search of the archives and couldn't find a thread about this, feel free to show me if I didn't look hard enough. Question is: are more motors better in a belt-driven table? Seems like pricier models are always more likely to have more motors, and manufacturers offer addtional motors as upgrades, but does it always result in improved sound? Theoretically, additional motors may tend to cancel out each others speed fluctuations, but overall noise may be higher. Thoughts?
klinerm

Showing 3 responses by mosin

mosin
410 posts
 
A point not yet mentioned is that the typical belt drive solution suffers from inherent belt creep which causes loss of dynamics and accuracy. (The key word being "typical") Mark Kelly has outlined this at various places on the Internet. You will find the appropriate math along with those explanations. There are workarounds to reduce belt creep however, and a three motor implementation is one approach. There are at least three other clever approaches to the problem that I have seen that connect the belt in various ways, add components, etc. It is a given that belt condition matters, and although it is an important aspect, it is not the only primary concern.

http://db.audioasylum.com/cgi/m.mpl?forum=vinyl&n=694199&highlight=belt+creep

*Disclaimer...I manufacture turntables that do not use belts. I mention it, not because anything I have said here is controversial, but so it won't appear that I am attempting to promote any agenda.
mosin
410 posts
 
"One direct drive motor is better."
It can be better than some other individual designs, depending on the implementation. Then again, it may present yet another set of problems. For example, if the direct drive motor uses a correction loop, an analog sort of jitter can be detected. That may cause a noticeable lack of dynamics, or even smearing, in some setups. Another example would be that if a motor is used that is too noisy or weak, the result wouldn't be optimum. My belief is that any drive type has certain caveats when carelessly implemented. A turntable, like your system, is a whole entity that is as strong as its weakest part. The drive can be near perfection, but if all the other aspects of the build are not properly addressed, the end result isn't the best it could be.
mosin
410 posts
 
Raul,

I believe the test is whether the majority of listeners of a designer's product are genuinely moved by the passion of the music it produces. If they are, he has succeeded. If not, he has failed. At the end of the day, the number of motors, weight, etc., etc. are only talking points because the performance of the piece stands on its on merit. One cannot hide behind features when discerning ears report back to their owners.

Best,
Win
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