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Belt driven motor noise? My technics is dead silent?

I just received a VPI Traveler turntable and I must admit, the motor noise(while faint) is a little disappointing.

Ive been running Technics tables for years and I'm a little confused by this experience. Trying to understand the argument in favor of belt drive tables? Is belt drive performance just not available at this price point? Can't imagine other affordable tables(Rega, Music Hall ect) are offering different results in this area. My 40+ year old technics by comparison is dead silent. You'd need a stethoscope to hear any noise from this table.  

I realize that this is what's considered an entry level table, however, I figured that motor noise/rumble(or lack there of) was the major benefit of running belt drive? I was looking to get better "audiophile" type performance. Im a little lost here....

Need the opinion/advice of more experienced audiophiles about this issue. 

-Thanks
trevoisier
luisma31
516 posts
 
DD, never looked back, life's too much short, you can certainly get good well designed BD, be ready to pay for it
chakster's avatar
chakster
6,144 posts
 
Consider also “cheaper” used Technics SL1200MK6. MK6 was the latest of original SL1200 Technics lineup TTs, and it has much better tonearm and wiring.

Tonearm is the same, wiring is a bit better, but Cardas rewire kit for any old model cost only $50. An old Technics SL1200mkII and higher normally cost $300 minimum, and can be $500 easily. The interest supported by DJ community. 

Any old Technics without serious upgrade can’t compete with new mk7 and higher audiophile grade models like GR and G/GAE are ultra high-end compared to old models in this SL1200 series.

The brand new Technics MK7 is so cheap (often $800-1000) that it make no sense to buy any old model from SL1200 mk... series.

Regarding vintage Technics it’s better to look for SP series. This is very nice and rare SP-20 assembled by me for a local friend. SP-10 mkII is better and more expensive.
trevoisier OP
7 posts
 
Thanks for the replies. 
Got a replacement motor from VPI and turns out these motors, to my ear, are just inherently noisy. 
I'm gonna move towards another Technics, most likely the GR.
chakster's avatar
chakster
6,144 posts
 
Yeah, the GR at $1700 new is great option, stay with Technics
westcoastaudiophile
301 posts
 
"Tonearm is the same”
I had SL1200MK2/3/5, and found as MK6 tonearm is more sensitive comparing to previous models. 
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Technics_SL-1200
  • SL-1200MK6-K & SL-1200MK6-S (released in February 2008 in Japan) with minor improvements including improved tonearm mounting and oxygen-free copper wire, improved vibration damping in the body, improvements to the pitch control accuracy and better LEDs. -S model has a silver finish like the MK2.
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