Thread: Any Idler drive fans here?

Hi guys, I am new to the forum and thought I would start a thread dedicated to idler drive turntables. I have been hooked ever since I stumbled upon a great deal on a Garrard 401, The sound is truly addictive. Aside from my 401 I currently have a Russco studio pro B. The Russco is truly a great table, not giving up much to the 401 it is a great entry to the idler drive world. I think if the Russco had the same bearing tweaks and heavy plinth as the 401 it would be right there with it.

Aside from the sound of the idler drive tables I just love having a broadcast used turntable, there is just something really cool thinking about how many millions people have enjoyed music from this very turntable! I was lucky enough to score three of the Russco's from a very nice gentleman who owned three radio stations in the 60's,70's and 80's. I bought all three of his broadcast used turntables!

Well I will keep it short and share some photos, if you also are an idler drive fan please feel free to post some photos and share your story with us!

Well Iders are generally known for the timing, rhythm and attack. Notes start and stop on a dime, there is a clarity and a cleanliness to the music, at first it is a subtlety then when you listen to belt driven tables it is obvious. My belt drives, while perfectly turning at 33 1/3 seem slow and sluggish in comparison. The notes smear together, an almost lazy presentation.

please dont get me wrong, I still love my belt drives and I am not slagging off the drive system just expressing my love for the idler.

I love my Thorens TD 124 and Eminent technology combo. But I have to say that I absolutely drool over that Russco table. there is just something about the aesthetics of that table that bowl me over. I would love to have one someday. Are they difficult to come by, and what is the restoration process like?

Regards
Mister Pig

Hi Mister Pig! well I can say that the td124 is on my short list of tables I need to own. I am definitely jealous!

I too love the look of the Russco's, something about the blue just looks so cool. as far as restoring one, it is a very straight forward design "built to withstand the apocalypse" as their slogan stated. When I got mine they had been in storage for a long time so the rubber was shot, I replaced the idler wheel and the three rubber motor mounts, cleaned and oiled up the motor, cleaned the main bearing shaft and topped it up with oil and have never had a problem with it at all. It is a very simple design that is way overbuilt. These tables were designed to be work horses, they were used 24/7/365 , reliable doesn't begin to describe these tables.

let me see if I can find some photos under the hood......





When they first came home




well I thought I had some better upskirt shots but I guess not.

The Russco is actually currently sitting in the closet while the DIY table is getting some use. I plan on making another armboard the wraps around the back of the table so I can mount up two tonearms....that project may wait until I build a three arm plinth for the 401.