2. analog
  3. 1220818826

Installing a VPI stainless steel ring?

Frustrating to pay $600 and not get one lousy sheet of paper that explains how the thing works.

I expected that it gets intalled directly on the platter and has some sort of locking mechanism that you employ every time you put a new record on.... but apparently I'm wrong. Doesn't seem to sit on the platter very well at all.

Do you actually lower this thing on TOP of an LP?? I'm guessing yes, but would like the peace of mind of knowing for sure before I try it ....

Thanks again. I must have asked 20 noob questions over the past month....
madfloyd

Showing 4 responses by madfloyd

madfloyd OP
411 posts
 
Hi Hukk,

Yeah, it was hard to heed that advice, especially when I noticed that too many records are slightly warped and the needle is jumping up and down.

The ring works wonders in these cases.
madfloyd OP
411 posts
 
Let me ask another question while I'm at it:

What's with the two black rubber belts around the perimeter? They fall off I pick up the ring and it takes two people to get it back on... only to fall off again.
madfloyd OP
411 posts
 
Yup, I know where they go, they came in place, but it seems that simply handling the ring means my fingers touch the outside, inevitably causing them to roll off. My guess is that they are simply too lose.

Noting that the center ring also has two rubber rings, maybe it's simply a cosmetic - a VPI trademark style type thing. If it's not cosmetic, maybe it has to do with static?

Thanks for the response.
madfloyd OP
411 posts
 
I'm not sure I *needed* a ring, either, but I do like the sonic improvements it offers. It's actually worth the extra hassle.

From everything I've been told here, I'm guessing a cartridge change will address my midbass issue, which I will try someday soon.

I'm currently breaking in a phono stage and want to see what effect that has first.
More to discover