as I described with the Caeles II, a somehow modified air based table with a full active air design, I regard the cutting of any connection to the bases, the motor or even the spindle as very important for a nearly free running platter.
On the air lifted Micro Seiki 8000 platter a so called SDP (Special Decoupled Platter) of Acoustical Systems is added. SDP means an additional platter (black) is mounted on the metal platter of the SX 8000.
The decoupled platter solution brings a complex bundle of improvements to the turntable.
* 1st – it isolates the record and cartridge during actual tracking totally from all bearing-born vibrations and rumble usually apparent in the spindle and from there transferred to the record.
Here an isolated spindle – embedded in PTFE/POM and totally decoupled from the bearing of the turntable – allows for the preservation of the most tiny detail and brings forth prior unheard ease, authority and air to the music reproduction of your turntable.
* 2nd – there is the vast increase of inertia by the added decoupled platter and the full-surface-dampening of the turntable’s platter.
* 3rd – the 1 1/2 inch thick acrylic platter rests on a special embedding of isolating gel which brings forth 100% dampening of the turntables platter and a superb adhesive contact between the decoupled platter and the turntable’s platter. The decoupled platter itself is a very special design which features an unique gel “reservoir” and thus providing an additional semi-liquid dampening to the contact surface between the turntable’s platter and the decoupled platter.
Resulting in the most “dead” turntable platter you can imagine. No resonances – no ringing.
The result is vastly increased inertia PLUS superb inner damping and the total absence of platter resonance.
AudioCirc.com 
Eckart,
Excellent description. But it is really complex. Reading this post over a few times, makes me wonder. Is it really so bad to hear and feel the power of the turntable drive system? I’m thinking about how different the EMT idler drive is to ANY, belt driven table? The Pace – Pitch – and Power of the EMT is so evident when compared to a belt drive unit, even though the belt drive is usually ‘softer, and quieter’ on less dynamic passages of music. Still I prefer the idler drive turntable. (Others may not).
Is the Caeles II system the best of both? You mention a completely dead platter and unheard authority and ease. This ‘authority’ is what I feel I hear when I am listening to a good idler drive system. But what I don’t feel I hear is the ‘ease’.
Here, some of the finer belt drive and direct drive turntables really sing..
It would be wonderful to experience what you are hearing in a less expensive and less complex turntable. Maybe that is not possible?
Excellent post Eckart!
Norman
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Hi Norman,
as you have seen at the new Burmester turntable the motors and their transmission is the crucial part in motor management. Burmester uses 4 motors with 2 belts setting aside the different power dragging forces.
If the idler Drive at the EMT is set pretty good you ´ ll hear a dynamic and a very balanced sound. I like this very much. At the Caeles II in my installation you ´ll find a special tape being dragged by two precise motors. I was never happy with the original belt drive motor. Nevertheless you need to find out by sensitivity what is the correct dragging force (hard vs. soft). Me is opting for a solution on the soft side.
Airlifting is something I prefer too as it decouples nearly everything.
Direct Drive is coming right now. I am experimenting with the Denon 100 DD and the newer Brinkmann Anniversary. I also saw there is a cheap DD being sold in the US. It says it is made in Germany and looks like a copy of the Brinkmann – Solypsa
Best
E.
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