Belt driven is the way, if more money is decided to be invested. Its much more quiet.

El cheapo in the £70 range could be silenced in a box without any problem. Have seen that. A friend has that setup.

I am greatly against the direct driven V head compressors in the 150-500 range cause they are scam. First of all they will not deliver the promised ~300l/m , that means not all air tools will work properly. Secondly they are noisy, third they will die fast in an industrial environment. So whats the point wasting money on them.