http://new.photos.yahoo.com/the_hurdy_gurdyman/album/576460762387548586

I have an old AR-XA arm I'm using for awhile until my Black Widow arrives, which may be a few weeks yet. There is an old Shure M91E cartridge installed.

Why idler drive? Well, for one thing, I've always had more long-term pleasure out of my old Dual idler drives than out of the various belt and direct drive units I've owned, this in spite of the somewhat more rumble my Duals have (actually more of a bad platter bearing design than and idler wheel problem with the old Duals). Now I'm seeing just how far I can go with idler drive. So far, even with the primitive arm and cart, I'm getting better analog sound than I've ever had.

Here's some links to what got me started on this latest crazy binge:

(click on the link at the bottom of this page to get a PDF file with what may be the longest audio thread of all time)

http://www.lenco-lovers.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=86

And continued here:

http://forum.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/fr.pl?eanlg&1157059532&openflup&115&4#115

That should keep you turntable addicts busy awhile and give you something to think about. I know I'm hooked on idler drive permanently!

Dave

The wiring on my motor is just like new, as are the rubber grommets. I have to get my ear about three inches from the table to hear the motor running. I thoroughly oiled the motor with Mobil 1 5W-20 fully synthetic oil. It was dry when I got it. Probably never oiled at all before this. I suspect the rubber O-ring idler wheel I had made is quieter than the harder rubber of the stock wheel. This may contribute to the quietness, as I can't hear any change in sound from engaging the motor and having it run without being engaged. The table actually is a bit quieter than my old AR-XA belt drive. Quite amazing, actually!
If you look close at the pictures on my yahoo photos site, you'll see the round cut-out on the backside of the plinth. This has a removable round mounting plate for just as you suggested. I'm using a thick Denon hard rubber platter mat which does a great job damping the platter.

Dave

Dave

Once I get the Black Widow arm installed, I have an old ADC LXM and a Shure V15-RS. The Shure is the same inside as a type-5. Only the stylus is different, using a less expensive aluminum cantilever instead of boron and a hyper-elliptical stylus instead of a line-contact type. The ADC was the top-of-the-line at that time for ADC. They both need a new stylus, so I have to decide which I'm going to use. They are both high-compliance, so should be a great match for a Black Widow.

Dave

Have you tried a Grado on your Rek-O-Kut? I was wondering if hum was a problem.

Dave