Direct drive vs belt vs rim vs idler arm


Is one TT type inherently better than another? I see the rim drive VPI praised in the forum as well as the old idler arm. I've only experienced a direct drive Denon and a belt driven VPI Classic.
rockyboy

Showing 2 responses by gilles130

The main problem of idler drive is people have opinions on it after hearing turntable from the 60'. I have built my lenco after reading Salvatore review of the J Nantais reference Lenco.
I have tried different material and finished with a non wood plinth, a reference bearing ,and some tweaks ,an OL conqueror mk II and a zyx airy 3 . The sound is impressive, nothing to hear here with the traditional sound of idler drive.
Then i have heard a Lenco made by a hifi fanatic, and very sympathic person. He built a 200 kgs Lenco with its own table (as the goldmund reference),the finish is impressive, there are many many tweaks but it's idler drive and the sound on his high end system is incredible, in the treble it betters all the belt drive turntables I have listened to.
After reading Salvatore review of the J Nantais Lenco, i knew i needed a bearing.After searching a lot i have found Dixchen on Lencoheaven who was making a bearing for lenco or garrard following the research made on twogoodears
http://twogoodears.blogspot.fr/2011_11_01_archive.html
You need to do to the middle of the page to see it.
The difference with the lenco bearing is impressive ,more bass, silence during the playing of records, wider and mainly deeper stereo stage...It's not a small difference but immediately you listen and it's far better.It's more important than to change the cartridge.