AXPONA 2015

Tour the AXPONA 2015 Marketplace

Michael Fremer  |  Apr 26, 2015

Tour the AXPONA 2015 Marketplace. AXPONA 2015 has turned into a regional powerhouse of a show: well run, well attended (though Sunday was off, somewhat) and now, well-established. More coverage coming up soon.

The tour video is here:

COMMENTS
Grant M's picture
Submitted by Grant M on Mon, 2015-04-27 06:50

I've seen a couple of interviews with Chris from Artisan Fidelity before, theory seem to be doing some really special things with both restoration and now apparently entirely new construction idler drive 'tables. It would be really interesting to have Mikey's thoughts on this trend. It seems like the cult of these designs have replaced the cult of the Lp12 in the currently vinyl resurgence. If one were shopping for a upgrade 'table in 2015, should an idler drive be on my "must hear" list?

Toptip's picture
Submitted by Toptip on Wed, 2015-04-29 08:33

This is like going back to a live axle in cars...If one is not worried about hard contact with the motor, there is always direct drive. An idler is one more thing that may go wrong or introduce noise, rumble. I would love to hear of a single -- even theoretical -- advantage it has over a belt or direct drive.

Grant M's picture
Submitted by Grant M on Wed, 2015-04-29 15:10

I believe the single advantage is that some people are saying that they sound amazing! I think the "rumble" issue is a problem that can be overcome with design. The dismissive attitude of some is interesting, because on paper and In reality it's easy to argue belt drive is a stupid design, given how much wow and flutter are a problem. And yet belt drive dominates the market.

Toptip's picture
Submitted by Toptip on Wed, 2015-04-29 15:48

Almost all issues of belt drive can be resolved with a heavier platter. I know, on these forums, "science" is like a four letter word (the irony being, without science there would be no music reproduction) but "rotational momentum" is a wonderful thing, it even keeps the solar system stable. I actually wonder if the earliest "record players" had idler drive because manufacturers did not want to spend on heavy platters. I also wonder if crappy old designs like idlers are brought back from the dead because the audio world is out of fresh ideas? Like mechanical watches...except there no subjectivists say they keep better time!

Grant M's picture
Submitted by Grant M on Wed, 2015-04-29 16:04

Heavy platters create their own set of design challenges. I think the best way to approach the issue is for Mikey to do the great drive system shootout!

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