Are (Real) Budget Turntables that bad?

[admin_exported]

Hi All, I would like to dip my toe into viny and have looked at 2 TT's:

- Stanton T50 (Belt drive)

- Gemini TT01 (Belt drive)

Are these as terrible as some would make out?

I would be playing via a CA 540A V2 and Wharfedale Evo2 - 8's (Other source is CA 540 C V2)

Thanks

 

[Frank Harvey]

As far as hi-fi is concerned, belt drive will be better than direct drive, so you're on to a good start. I suspect these T/T's are more DJ orientated, with less emphasis put on quality. A turntable, regardless of it's price, relies on close tolerance engineering to sound good. Lightweight bits of plastic and loose doobries isn't what you want.

 

[the record spot]

In fairness to Direct Drive decks, not least the likes of the Technics SL1000/SL1200 series, you get a deck in that example which has rock solid build with a motor that's second to none. Mod the arm, fit it, stick on a quality cartridge and you've got a circa £800 deck that'll put a belt drives for around the same price under a bit of pressure. I'd happily own one. Except the kids would probably try and eat it so maybe a few years off...!

 

[John Duncan]

For the price of either of those, you could get a nice second-hand Systemdek IIX or modest Rega, which will stand you in better stead.

 

[Anonymous]

I'm in South Africa and TT's second hand are a little thin on the ground, nobody has stock of Technics and can't say when they will be getting in, so apart from some of the higher end stuff, Stanton and Gemini are pretty much it... 🙁

 

[basshead]

out of interest.... why are belt-drive better for hi-fi? i use 1210's for djing which are direct-drive, all (respectable) dj turntables are direct drive. i'd be a laughing stock if i had belt-drive decks.

 

[up the music]

basshead:out of interest.... why are belt-drive better for hi-fi? i use 1210's for djing which are direct-drive, all (respectable) dj turntables are direct drive. i'd be a laughing stock if i had belt-drive decks.

'Direct Drive vs. Belt Drive.
Direct drive turntables have the advantage of a quick-start system. You can turn the motor off or hold the platter still with your left hand, put the needle down where you want and quickly get back up to speed. Putting the needle down with the platter sitting still allows greater accuracy and confidfence, and minimizes damage to the record and needle, as well as the harsh noise associated with unstable needle drop. However, to allow quick startup, most direct drive turntables have unusually light platters, allowing greater resonant feedback. They can also transmit more noise from the motor and bearing. Speed can be more unstable, causing greater wow and flutter. A notable exception is the Technics/Panasonic SL1100 and 1200 series turntables. They are particularly heavy, stable and quiet, as direct drive tables go. The SL1200 series is the club DJ's number one choice, and is also perfectly acceptable for audiophile playback (with an "audiophile" cartridge, not a club DJ cartridge). Belt drive turntables, on the other hand, force users to put the needle down with the platter spinning, which requires patience and skill, or a cueing mechanism that drops smoothly. Turntablebasics offers super-viscous silicone fluid for this purpose. Belt drive tables also allow greater platter mass and speed stability. Disadvantages include the propensity of the belt to stretch and harden over the years, hindering both tension and grip. Happily, turntablebasics offers a wide selection of new turntable belts'.

Quote taken from here

 

[The_Lhc]

That's not for sound quality reasons though, djs have direct drive turntables because they need to hold the turntable or spin it backwards, which is a lot easier with direct drive.

 

[the record spot]

Both are good if well engineered and designed (not necessarily in that order). Not all belt drive decks are good, likewise for direct drives.

Belt drive: easier to maintain, less cost to engineer, simpler to fix in the event of a motor problem. Offboard power supply available in more expensive designs thus reducing vibration away from the main platter (a good thing).

DD: Maintains speed well, fast start-up, fixes on 33.3 with near stalker like accuracy with the likes of the Technics decks, expensive to fix if the drive goes however, motor vibration Many 1970s/1980s direct drives were middling quality at best. Not all that is a Technics is gold...however, some truly superb designs also (see 1980s superdecks from JVC, Denon, etc.).

 

[basshead]

up the music:basshead:out of interest.... why are belt-drive better for hi-fi? i use 1210's for djing which are direct-drive, all (respectable) dj turntables are direct drive. i'd be a laughing stock if i had belt-drive decks. 'Direct Drive vs. Belt Drive.Direct drive turntables have the advantage of a quick-start system. You can turn the motor off or hold the platter still with your left hand, put the needle down where you want and quickly get back up to speed. Putting the needle down with the platter sitting still allows greater accuracy and confidfence, and minimizes damage to the record and needle, as well as the harsh noise associated with unstable needle drop. However, to allow quick startup, most direct drive turntables have unusually light platters, allowing greater resonant feedback. They can also transmit more noise from the motor and bearing. Speed can be more unstable, causing greater wow and flutter. A notable exception is the Technics/Panasonic SL1100 and 1200 series turntables. They are particularly heavy, stable and quiet, as direct drive tables go. The SL1200 series is the club DJ's number one choice, and is also perfectly acceptable for audiophile playback (with an "audiophile" cartridge, not a club DJ cartridge). Belt drive turntables, on the other hand, force users to put the needle down with the platter spinning, which requires patience and skill, or a cueing mechanism that drops smoothly. Turntablebasics offers super-viscous silicone fluid for this purpose. Belt drive tables also allow greater platter mass and speed stability. Disadvantages include the propensity of the belt to stretch and harden over the years, hindering both tension and grip. Happily, turntablebasics offers a wide selection of new turntable belts'.Quote taken from here

thanks for that. i guess the rules are different for djs and home users. control over the deck and vinyl is the most important thing for djs. i'll always reccommend 1210's to any1 though, built like a tank, doubt u could break them if u tried! they'll even take the weight of a dj balancing on the deck one-handed, spinning around in circles.

 

[JoelSim]

My ProJect Debut III is nowhere near the standard of my CDP.

 

[Anonymous]

Its interesting that another forum I am a member of think the Technics 1200 (mentioned above) are the decks of choice, highly modified of course and most members there are American.

 

[Anonymous]

Antman

Finding good kit in South Africa is tricky, more so if you're looking at TT's. There are a couple of dealers that can help out with Project if you are in the Gauteng region; give Sound and Image a try.
Also, have a look at http://www.highendaudio.co.za/, they have other brands as well.
Good Luck!

 

[up the music]

I worked in a club for 9 years which had different bedroom DJs in the back room about 3 times per week and more regular DJs in the main room.

In that time we did have several Technics go wrong for various reasons. Never irreperable though. Usually if something went wrong with a deck on the night it was down to a lack of regular servicing or DJs being monkeys. Speed adjustment faders dying, headshell earth problems etc.

We had one with a bent arm for a while.

The most memorable was the deck that was making grinding noises and would not hold it's speed properly. I fixed by removing all the shards of broken glass from inside the rim of the platter and drying it out in a warm place overnight.

The moral :- Customers and DJs can be bad for decks, even Technics.