Albert thanks for another wonderful contribution to Audiogon - your turntable looks beautiful and I for one am not surprised it sounds good.
I have always read with both fascination and skepticism the widespread trashing of direct drive turntables.
When I first got started in this hobby, I had a Kenwood KD 500 with an SME Series III and a Grado Signature cartridge.
It was wonderful and I found it hard to go to sleep at night because I loved listening to it so much. Later, I also enjoyed a Yamaha PX-2 - another direct drive audiophile cult classic.
The worst turntable I ever had? A Linn Sondek.
I never listened it, it bounced around like an old car that needed a new suspension, and just NEVER sounded right to me, despite tweaking by an authorized dealer, and various arm and cartridge configurations.
Wondering if I too just didn't get it, I have thought over the years about getting a VPI TNT or some other exotic belt drive....but you have inspired me to trust my instincts and get back to these great machines.
Have fun and best wishes.
