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From: jabusch@uiucdcsb.Uiuc.ARPA
Newsgroups: net.audio
Subject: Re: Turntable Controversy
Message-ID: <5700086@uiucdcsb>
Date: Sat, 13-Jul-85 13:34:00 EDT
Article-I.D.: uiucdcsb.5700086
Posted: Sat Jul 13 13:34:00 1985
Date-Received: Mon, 15-Jul-85 02:27:52 EDT
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Nf-From: uiucdcsb.Uiuc.ARPA!jabusch    Jul 13 12:34:00 1985



	Direct drive turntables can indeed suffer from bearing problems
after long usage.  *So can belt-driven tables.*  Belt-drive tables have
three things against them in the maintenance area:  the motor has its
own bearings, but most of these motors use special bushings, which are 
even worse, since the bushings cannot be replaced in most cases, requir-
ing full motor replacement.  Second, the belt tends to dry out, being
rubber.  This means that rumble is increased, just as in the direct-
drive case.  This is a very cheap repair, though.  Most belts still cost
around $3.  And finally, there are still bearings under the platter itself.
These can go just as quickly as a direct-drive table's can.
	Direct drive tables which use the platter rim as the rotor of
the electric motor (Technics is a good example... SL-D2, etc.) have
only the bearings of the motor/platter to worry about.  These are of
equal quality to belt-drive platter bearings, and have no extra stress
on them.  The same is true of higher-end direct drive tables.  Bang &
Olufsen have their direct-drive tables, including the 8000 line.  I have
owned one of these for several years now, and it gets plenty of use.
I can give the platter a spin when the table is off and it will spin
silently for quite a while, even though I don't spin it very fast.  This
is because there is no friction induced by a belt (belts have friction
induced from flexing, much in the same manner as car tires) or from
extra motors.
	Having been a maintenance-type for many years, I prefer direct
drive for this reason.  Belts are not very forgiving of hand oils that
get on them during installation, or of dry atmospheres.  When the rubber
starts to dry, it can develop cracks and hard spots just like a rubber
band.  This is terrible for sound quality!  Of course, belts should
also be replaced about once a year if you wish to maintain the highest
quality sound possible from your table.  Most stereo stores that stock
belts may end up having them for a while, so you should inspect them
closely upon purchase.

John Jabusch