I NEED another turntable. I love my belt drive TT but I need another—either direct drive or rim drive.
I would appreciate the benefit of your knowledge, direct vs rim drive.
Thanks
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Just bought the new Denon 3000NE last week. Loving it so far and it doesn’t break the bank. Plus it’s a looker!
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Budget?
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Just about have to get the matching isolation platform from HRS
Interestingly, the Bardo sits on the next rack over from the Denon at my local dealer, the Denon looks really nicely built and as mentioned, she’s a looker!
Best,
-JP
I’m considering the Technics SL1000 but my question is not about examples, rather the pros and cons of direct vs rim.
Ah, no experience with rim drive, but it would seem you would lose some control with the transfer to the platter, maybe not?
How bout an Avenger reference with rim drive to drive the sub platter which in turn magnetically drives the platter🙂
Sorry, absolutely no help at all, but I love everything Brinkmann makes…
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Technics could be the way, specifically the SP-10R. It merits an audition at least, if not a purchase depending on one’s budget and the desire for a direct drive turntable.
Another I heard recently, actually a prototype version is a SOTA direct drive that has a firm grip on speed control with virtually no cogging.
Personally having heard both I lean towards the Technics due to their reputation regarding direct drive turntables.
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Belt vs Rim’s supuriority might be a myth? As long as both systems are properly engineered?
My Denon is way quieter than my Rega P3, granted not in the same class/price catagory. Ease of use is also a plus, not having to ever think about if my belt is wearing out?
I’m probably one of the very few people who’s had all TT drives known, except idler. With respect to your question, my Avenger TT evolved over time from single belt, to multiple belts, to rim, ultimately replaced with the Avenger Direct. In comparison of the rim to direct, in my case, there was no “this one is better than the other” slam dunk. To me the direct drive was/is marginally better, enough for me to consider the expenditure worth it. The sense of rhythmic drive and tonal stability were where I found the main advantages over the rim (which I loved, BTW), and to an even greater degree over belt drive. What I also liked over the rim drive, purely user oriented, is that the rim drive required occasional “checking” - making sure the rim O-ring was still uniform and unworn with use, making sure the pressure against the platter was “just right” (makes a bigger difference than you might think!). Stuff that some audiophiles delight in doing - the “love getting into the minutiae of the hobby” thing. Me? Been there, done that. My time is worth more to me nowadays. Getting what is to me a better musical result - with less work - was definitely worth the cost. 
Having said that, not all direct drives are the same. The Technics is highly lauded. Can more money get you better? I think maybe yes. All depends on your limit. Technics is tough to beat for a DD in its price range.
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For my use, I use a table from the early 80’s, and compared to the modern offerings, including the SL-1200G and the Technics shown above, and virtually every belt and rim drive, (always remember, they are also coupled to the platter by wheel or belt) simply outperforms them. My DP-57L’s wow and flutter is 0.008% and S/N at 82dB. For me DD is the only way I would spin my vinyl.
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Thanks Tony. Excellent assessment.
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I agree with you about the early 80’s DD tables as I use a DP-62L and a JVC QL-Y7.
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I read about a brand called “DAC”.
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You can’t go wrong with Technics.
Easy and proper choice for folks with short attention spans.
But the general consensus is that no turntable under $40K is worth powering up.
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(Did I type that out loud??)
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What a brat. 
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To the corner for a 10 minute time out.
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Not sure that you would consider lightly used, but this could be the way.
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Thanks much for yet another rabbit hole to explore.
I know basically nothing of underlying turntable drive details so the linked paper proved helpful to my understanding of some basics, including pros and cons.
Brinkmann Audio - “A Short Study on Turntable Drives”
As with most things, the basic type of drive system may be less important than the quality of implementation. My sense is the best direct drive implementation may provide the most satisfying overall compromise. But in that is my appreciation for what I perceive as the most elegant solution.
I am curious about the mention of rim/idler drives resulting in a “special musical quality” that “drives the music forward”. I can only imagine that this relates to the also mentioned braking forces.
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Excellent paper. Thanks!
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