I own a Artisan Fidelity Lenco Idler drive and it put to shame my modern belt drive table. Go listen to a well restored idler drive table and make your own decision.
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I invested in a Jean Nantais Lenco, Idler drive, $10k. In comparison: CD's are unlistenable, SACD and Hi-res aren't bad, DSD downloads are better, vinyl eclipse all of the above, and not by a little bit. Your miles will not vary. But, stay away from re-issues. |
Heh, I better concentrate on lawn moving again, it´s relaxing and expands mind |
wow 6hp for tunetable???
it's larger than my darn lawn mower!
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bdp24, As I stated above, I don't know why the idler tables I heard have the kind of "drive" that they do have, but, I suspect it has to do with the high torque motors employed. I have heard the same sort of sound from the three motor Audio Note table and it is a belt drive table, but, it employs three massive motors, each of which supposedly is a 2 hp motor (three massive power supplies are also used to power the motors). It would be interesting to hear what a modern idler table sounds like. I would love to hear the Galibier table. |
Vintage idler wheel drive turntable (Thorens 124, Garrard 301 and 401, Lenco) enthusiasts (including Art Dudley) cite the design's "forward momentum"/"rythmik drive" sound characteristic, supposedly a result of the high torque nature of idler wheel drive. |
Hello Thom,
I appreciate your intelligent and honest response. You are right regarding the different types of turntable drive approaches. Be it idler arm, belt or direct drive, each has its strengths and flaws. I wish you much success with your Eiger turntable.
Charles, |
Hi Gmjperry96,
Given your propensity to play and learn, I say go for it. I think you'll learn as much about yourself as you will about idlers vs. belts.
I've been working on a new turntable for about 18 months. It didn't start out as an idler, but the design constraints presented to this chassis layout led me down that path.
The Eiger is definitely a different flavor from our belt driven Gavias and Stelvios. I'd expect an equal number of people to line up in favor of belts and idlers. Different strokes and all that.
To don_c55, people were saying that vinyl is a thing of the past as well. Belts are unquestionably quieter and you'll get a different presentation from a belt driven architecture. As much as I've optimized my belt driven turntables (and people say that they're very idler like in their rhythmic presentation), the perception of rhythm with the Eiger is completely different. People value different attributes, and no one is superior to the other.
Cheers,
Thom @ Galibier Design
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If you like noise from rumble they are OK!
Do you want to live in the past?
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What about an idler drive with quartz control ? |
Only theoretically idler drives have better speed control, but practically they're not. The idler wheel grinds out quite quick over the motor spindle and certainly changes the speed. All of the motor vibrations directly transferred onto the platter. The best speed control have quartz direct drive turntables. |
I know several people with systems well north of $100k that have Thorens 124s and Garrard 301 and 401 tables in them. When properly reconditioned, these can be terrific sounding--quite punchy and dynamic sounding. I have no idea whether it is the method of drive, the use of high torque motors or some other characteristic apart from the drive method that gives these tables their particular sound, but, in any event they certain can be great in the right system. |
I have a Garrard 301 and it is a great turntable, so my answer is yes. |
Theoretically, idler drives have better speed control because belts have a stretch component that varies the platter. In the old days I had a Rek0kut table with a Grado lab arm and his top of the line cartridge of the day....it was belt drive.
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