Is Direct Drive Really Better?

Macrojack, I built an idler wheel table from a Lenco and I would not consider myself to be a DIY guy (although I am getting better) - it's not that hard if you have the time to do it. You cut some plywood and MDF to the same size, cut out the cavities for the guts of the lenco to fit inside it, glue the layers together, bolt the lenco onto the plinth, finish with self-adhering veneer or stain it. The veneer covers a lot of the mistakes. If you use the right arm or turn the thing 90 degrees, you don't need to cut the base plate to set the arm. You clean the motor and the bearing, stick some dampening under the plate, and for $500 you're stunned.

I don't have an opinion about which is better in the drives, but I will say without any reservation that I have enjoyed the hell out of mine. If like me you really get turned on by value, well, this is a real value in audio.

Plus you get to tell people "I built a turntable" and that in and of itself is worth the effort.

Lenco's are on ebay all the time - there are some specific models to buy and some to avoid. I used an L 75. I think the 69 (someone correct me if I am wrong) is also good - these have aluminum idler wheels rather than plastic.

So, if you really are curious, I am your role model. If I can do it, you can do it.

Macrojack, after reading this thread (much of which I don't have the background to understand) I am curious about a few things. What prompted the question to begin with? How did the thread influence your thinking - it seems to have done so if you're selling off 'tables. What are you selling and what are you keeping and why? I hope these questions aren't intrusive, but your actions and your "WOW" made me really curious. Thanks, Chuck

Thanks. Very interesting. It'd be fun some day (this is pure fantasy) to have a show-down of the three formats (idler included). Everyone bring their tweaked, DIY examples, categorize them by some leveling criteria (price?) and let it rip. Of course, we'd have to hire enough security to keep things peaceful, but it'd be a hoot to hear the show. And congrats for nurturing a most entertaining and educational thread.