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 4 responses by manitunc

to me, it looks like the Fat Bob is running very slightly fast, as the line moves very slowly to the right on each revolution. When the stylus drag is applied, the line quickly moved to the left, indicating a slowing of speed, and then stayed there, indicating a constant 33.33 rpm under load. the video didnt stay on long enough to see if that changed, but to me, it reflected a design which rendered the proper speed under load. Is something wrong with that?
disclosure. I own a Transrotor Fat Bob an like it very much.
I'm not sweating it. Just responding to a previous post that suggests the video shows the transrotor as being seriously deficient in speed regulation. I didnt get that from the video, but if others can point out how to get to that conclusion, I am all ears.
Yes, the modern Sota uses an AC motor and electronic power supply in lieu of the previous DC motor. My Cosmos IV seems dead on, and since the motor is mounted to the same suspended sub assembly as the platter and arm, there is no movement between them, unlike most suspended tables where the motor is fixed and the platter/arm is suspended.

Still no comment on my interpretation of the Fat Bob's video after dropping the cartridge?
Most suspended tables have the motor fixed and platter/arm suspended to isolate the arm from motor vibration. that was the problem with wimpy suspension which would create oscillation and speed changes. This was especially true with suspensions that hold the plinth up, rather than when the plinth hangs, such as Oracle or Sota. Sota was able to fix the motor to the platter/arm plinth by changing the motor and regulation to virtually eliminate motor vibration and damping what was left. Works as far as I can tell.