Time for a rant:
To my mind that is just totally unacceptable at that price. Ergonomics are important. A good user interface design is essential. To be honest this is one of my biggest criticisms with modern audio.
This is my turntable. A Thorens TD-124 fitted with a SME 3009. It is 1950s technology, though my specific example dates from the mid to late-60s. I use it because I like the sound it produces, but also because it is a simply stunning piece of aesthetic and ergonomic design.
To recap some 1950s functionality:
All four record speeds available with a fine-speed adjustment and strobe.
Built in clutch for fast start in a broadcast environment.
Pop-up adapter for ‘dinked’ 45s.
Easily levelled from above via thumb-wheels and built in spirit level (though mine is a little off!).
Armboard can be removed from above in seconds, the chassis can take 9” or 12” arms.
Once correctly floated the arm can be adjusted for tracking force without using a stylus balance.
The arm can be very easily aligned on its sliding base.
Bias, azimuth, VTA etc are all similarly simple adjustments.
Cartridges can very easily be fitted and removed for inspection or swapped.
The very best design is both functional and beautiful. Miss one aspect and the other is hugely diminished. In 2023 I expect more than more than this, not less, especially at these prices!
The TT you linked to on YouTube is not an idler..unless I misunderstand your post ?
It is interesting that no one in this thread has mentioned his 'a priori' position that his TT references are the console TT's of the 40's and 50's and also that they seem to have never been bettered since then. If we do not buy into this then he is wasting his time
The Reed can be ordered as either belt drive or 'friction wheel' drive, I'm not sure if this would be considered an idler, the bigger Reed comes with both.
"Is this the best tonearm in the world?"
NO !...This is...
Audio Mods Series V Micrometer
You need to get out more...
but I think the Technics SL-1200 posted inexplicably below is an exponentially better piece of industrial design...The more I think about these things the more I arrive at a conclusion that genuinely good design also needs to be accessible to a majority.
Of all these very nice arms my money would be on the Kuzma 4point9 without the VTA obssessive tower. It seems to me to be a very well designed bearing. I would love to spend some time comparing it to mine.
Silly me . It doesn't cost 20 grand ...it CAN'T be any good...
When comparing them with the Phantom and the TW Acustic 10.5 tonearms to say I was disappointed with their performance would be a massive understatement. I think I mentioned this before on this forum.
Of all these very nice arms my money would be on the Kuzma 4point9 without the VTA obssessive tower. It seems to me to be a very well designed bearing. I would love to spend some time comparing it to mine.
The Kuzma is still a big heavy tonearm. I love the neat and elegant design of the Breuer/Brinkmann tonearm design and those of Frank Schröder's tonearms, the CB in particular. Those will take a lot of beating for the money...
I much prefer my Audio Origami PU7, which I find far more musical, while giving up nothing in detail, dynamics or tonality.