CPI super platter vs. Classic aluminum platter


Have you compared both? Which is best performer?
hiendmuse

Showing 4 responses by melm

Interesting. Notwithstanding any possible theoretical advantages, I have never understood the practical advantages of inverting the bearing. Like many other changes, I wonder whether its main purpose is reducing production costs.

The original non-inverted bearing sits in the bottom of a pool of light synthetic oil and has no need for pumping. Simple and efficient. I use Slick 50 Synthetic, which used to be a factory recommendation.
That's just so much BS. Of curse he can make a non-inverted bearing. He did so for many years. There are VPI tables made with non-inverted bearings that have been working perfectly for almost 40 years. Not to mention tables of other manufacturers. They are much easier to keep properly lubricated. Perhaps that's why they last so long.
There is no anger here. I respect and admire VPI. They have been making great products for a long time and their customer support has no peer. Yet like many others in the high end they often make changes for economic reasons, or for regulatory reasons, and advertise the result as offering superior performance. Like some of the writers above, I am also partial to the older acrylic platters.

But how can you pass along the suggestion that non-inverted bearings will deteriorate in 6 months in the face of so many such tables from VPI and other manufacturers that have been doing fine for generations? Some of the finest tables currently manufactured use non-inverted bearings. I can't believe that Harry said that. If he did, I can't believe it could have been taken seriously.
Yes, that's the theoretical advantage I wrote of. But as a practical matter, given the solid performing longevity of standard oil bath bearing TTs out there, I fail to see a practical advantage of the inverted type, unless it's in the cost of manufacture. The practical advantage of the oil bath bearings is just that: the oil bath.