Very interesting thread. Perhaps the best analogy with regards to using a high torque motor with a relatively light platter was espoused by the EMT manufacturers - namely that it's like driving up a hill on a windy road - if you have a heavy truck it would go up still using torque etc, but a light sports car will be better able to cope with those speed shifts than the truck.
I currently use a belt drive, but have an EMT 950 restoration brewing, and have a lenco to collect. I am fascinated at the forthcoming shootout that I will carry out at the end of the year.
Personally there appears to be elements of 'emporers new clothes' on this thread. I've done some DIY in my time and my ethusiasm for my diy often blights my listening skills - ie I often think that what I have cobbled together in my workshop is better than the combined might/research/manpower of the R&D team at Proac/Yamaha/Quad combined.
Whilst I think that Mr Salvatore has some strong opinions, it does not mean they are always right - if that at all. His perception that Zyx are the best cartridges in the business is dubious IMHO, likewise the Shelter 501 is nothing like a transfiguration temper. I have read his Lenco reference review, and I will carry out some listening tests of my own.
I will say something that was quite interesting though. I once spoke to Martin Colloms, and he said that people are sensitive to different things - having heard what I have in my sytem, he said that I am probably particularly sensitive to timing. Some people retain their high frequency sensitivity for far longer than other people.
Balancing this against what Ken Kessler once said at a show - he's listened to hi-fi for 30 years, yet no system can ever reproduce kettle drums hit by a muscular man - they either get the speed of the impact and strike, or they get the weight, but never in the full and equal measure of the real thing.
Applying some biological detrioration - peoples hearing deteriorates over the years - especially 30 years.
What does this rambling mean? Well it's a bit like the angels dancing on the head of a pin - we will all ultimately look for different things in our systems. I am certain that there will be pros and cons of each design ultimately.
I currently use a belt drive, but have an EMT 950 restoration brewing, and have a lenco to collect. I am fascinated at the forthcoming shootout that I will carry out at the end of the year.
Personally there appears to be elements of 'emporers new clothes' on this thread. I've done some DIY in my time and my ethusiasm for my diy often blights my listening skills - ie I often think that what I have cobbled together in my workshop is better than the combined might/research/manpower of the R&D team at Proac/Yamaha/Quad combined.
Whilst I think that Mr Salvatore has some strong opinions, it does not mean they are always right - if that at all. His perception that Zyx are the best cartridges in the business is dubious IMHO, likewise the Shelter 501 is nothing like a transfiguration temper. I have read his Lenco reference review, and I will carry out some listening tests of my own.
I will say something that was quite interesting though. I once spoke to Martin Colloms, and he said that people are sensitive to different things - having heard what I have in my sytem, he said that I am probably particularly sensitive to timing. Some people retain their high frequency sensitivity for far longer than other people.
Balancing this against what Ken Kessler once said at a show - he's listened to hi-fi for 30 years, yet no system can ever reproduce kettle drums hit by a muscular man - they either get the speed of the impact and strike, or they get the weight, but never in the full and equal measure of the real thing.
Applying some biological detrioration - peoples hearing deteriorates over the years - especially 30 years.
What does this rambling mean? Well it's a bit like the angels dancing on the head of a pin - we will all ultimately look for different things in our systems. I am certain that there will be pros and cons of each design ultimately.