Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: Notesfiles $Revision: 1.7.0.5 $; site uiucdcsb Path: utzoo!linus!decvax!harpo!whuxlm!whuxl!houxm!ihnp4!inuxc!pur-ee!uiucdcsb!seefromline 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 References: <496@leadsv.UUCP> Lines: 35 Nf-ID: #R:leadsv.UUCP:-49600:uiucdcsb:5700086:000:2074 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