Direct Drive vs. Idler Drive vs. Belt drive


I'd like to know your thoughts on the strengths and weaknesses of each drive system. I can see that direct drive is more in vogue over the last few years but is it superior to the other drive systems? I've had first-hand experiences with two out of the three drive systems but looking to learn more.
scar972

Showing 3 responses by larryi

Even with magnetic levitation designs, there are quite different approaches.  The ClearAudio and Verdier, etc., designs float the platter, with a shaft only used to center the platter. 

Some designs use magnetic levitation to reduce the load on a conventional bearing.  This load reduction reduces wear and reduces the amount of noise generated by the bearing itself.  Hard contact, in this design,  is not designed to just prevent vertical movement, it is used to allow dissipation of any vibration imparted in the platter by the stylus tracking the grooves of the record.  The bearing itself is part of the path for dissipating this energy.
terry9,

Did you install that air bearing on the main platter bearing?  Is the motor that drives your set up similarly equipped with an air bearing?  
Thanks, that is what I thought.  The motor then has the same issue with noise/friction, albeit attenuated by the isolation provided by the belt.  The New Way bushing looks like it provides effective isolation of the shaft from the bore in the bushing itself, but, does it, or something else provide for levitation of the platter (no thrust bearing at the bottom of the shaft)? 

Also, what do you use to pressurize the bearing?

I applaud DIY efforts to to build something new, or improve upon an existing design.