Why Buy Direct Drive?

Belt drive superiority belongs to the myth that direct drive turntables transfer noise from the motor directly into the platter, which is then picked up by your stylus. Theory goes that if you isolate the motor, away from the platter, and connect the two via a rubber belt, you isolate much of the motor rumble and the rubber belt dampens the rest. And it’s a fair theory. A great many turntables are belt driven, including a number of our own. But much of the myth surrounding direct drive noise belongs to DJ specific designs, not home Hi-Fi and audiophile listening, like Dual designs. So, lets dive into the distinctions between DJ and Dual designs and provide a few key reason for why you’d buy direct drive.

Dispelling the Myths: DJ Vs Dual Turntables

DJ turntables require fast start, stop and turn around times in order to mix tracks during sets. This requires turntable designs with high power, high torque direct drive motors and it’s those demands that introduce noise, along with strong magnetic stray fields that will interfere with MC (moving coil) cartridges. This is not the case with Dual’s direct drive designs.

Home Hi-Fi and audiophile listening has little need for high power, high torque motor designs that start and stop on a dime. Instead, Dual’s direct drive motors are much more complex and expensive, making them a more high-end selection. By combining air core inductors, good shielding and a soft speed regulation, Dual can ensure that NO NOISE is transferred from motor to platter.

So Why Buy Direct Drive? 

If Dual’s direct drive motors are more complex and expensive, why implement them? Why not just use belt drive motors exclusively? Well, because direct drive designs have a few key advantages over belt driven turntables. And those advantages are:

No Replacement Parts

1. Belts are cut to very precise lengths in order to spin at exactly 33rpm. But belts are rubber and rubber stretches, right. So, over time, the belt will stretch to a larger size and slow your speed of play, and that tends to dull things down and suck the life out of your favourite recordings.
2. Belts stretch. It’s simply par for the course. The more records you play, the more wear and tear on that belt, and the sooner you’ll need to replace it. This is not the case with direct drive turntables. No belts. No replacement parts.

No Speed Variability

1. Belt drive designs are not only susceptible to stretch; they’re also susceptible to slipping. Belts transfer rotational force from the motor spindle to the platter: sometimes around the outside of the platter; sometimes below the platter; and sometimes around a subplatter. That transfer of force has the potential to result in the belt slipping, either around the spindle or the platter. And, again, that affects timing. Not the case with direct drive turntables. No belts. No slipping. Just perfect timing every time.

So Why Build Belt Drive Turntables? 

If timing is so important and direct drive turntables eliminate timing issues, why build belt drive turntables at all? Well, the answer to that is two fold.

1. First, belt drive turntables are less expensive to produce, making more turntables more affordable for newcomers and the price conscious. And entry level turntables played through entry level systems don’t reveal timing issues. So everyone can have fun at any price point.
2. Because these timing issues are marginal, entry level systems and components are unlikely to reveal any timing issues whatsoever. In fact, when listening to a more modest system, you could go years without replacing a belt and not notice the difference in the liveliness of your records, nor would you notice timing issues associated with belt slippage. 
3. However, as your system quality increases the transparency of that system increases, increasing the likelihood that notable timing issues will be revealed during close listening sessions. So, owning a more precise, more transparent Hi-Fi system will demand a more precise, more detailed turntable option. And that’s where Dual’s direct drive range comes into its own.

In The End

Choosing between direct drive and belt drive turntables, within Dual’s range, will likely depend on how far down the rabbit hole you go. Are you chilling near the surface or are you deep in audiophile territory? Because the price difference and passion intensity varies greatly. But if you own a modest to fair system, belt drive is just perfect. And if you’re further down the rabbit hole, where the the world of sound gets curiouser and curiouser, then we’d highly recommend the superior results of direct drive.