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.
128x128scar972
my low flow-low pressure air bearing CS Port LFT1 turntable and linear tracker give me more detail than any conventional bearing turntable and conventional bearing tonearm i have heard. the bass is otherworldly. magnificent.
If you didn't use the exact same platter pad, cartridge and arm on both machines, this might only be anecdotal wrt the platter bearing type.
New Way air bearings have amorphous carbon faces, resulting in literally millions of ’apertures’. I saw a U-Tube presentation of a shaft rotating in an air bearing (maybe New Way), spinning freely, when the high pressure air supply to the spindle was cut. The shaft came to an abrupt stop with a bang - it was immovable. Now that’s low tolerance!
I did respond to this, in my post just prior to this.
Apologies, somehow I managed to miss it. Now remedied.

I took your original post to mean a mat with the same universal durometer as vinyl, which was why I wondered. Thanks for clearing it up for me.
@scar972  There's a photo on my System page. It's an aluminum light grease bearing with POM linings and ceramic ball. Made by a guy in Asia. SPH. sphBearing AT gmail com
@lewm 


Total 14.8 kg (Chassis 5 kg, Platter 9.8 kg); Power Supply 0.5 kg


So 21.6 pounds.

I even checked my math with a conversion program!