I have found that MY rim drive works best with the turntable as solidly braced to the supporting table as possible. That means that there is to be NO movement at all under the table. That is why the use of Bearpaws rather than the mini-feet work for me. If any movement is under the turntable portion of the table, allowing the table to move at all, the out of roundness of the Super platter causes a rocking of the tonearm which is supported only on sharp point. The motor assembly therefore has to absorb the out of roundness and should be allowed to slightly rock, so the motor assembly should be on their soft rubber/spongy feet to do this. With the Super platter, if I put my finger between the motor assembly and the turntable itself, I can feel the motor assembly going slightly back and forth when working, opening and closing slightly the space between the motor assembly and the turntable. The Classic platter however, is manufactured more precisely, so that it doesn't move the turntable the way that the Super platter does. ....and an added bonus, it sounds much better too. I still have the Bearpaws securely holding fast the turntable, and the motor assembly able to rock if indeed there is any out of roundness at all. I can't feel it with the finger between the motor assembly/turntable test as described above, but even the very slightest error can rear its ugly head at the cartridge. My turntable setup is excellent now, (I'm using the Benz LPS) and find no reason to experiment further. For those who might want to know, the difference between the 9 inch Nordost wired arm and the 10.5 is so very minimal, I would think that aside from just wanting the 10.5, there really isn't a need for a change.
VPI SSM Ref setup variations
What configuration of VPI SSM Ref are people running right now - and why ?
I’d like to understand how the different set ups for this deck have evolved and improved things for those who are Happy Chappies – so that I can try things myself and decide which works best for my ears and environment, since opinions and solutions seem to vary somewhat.
I’ve read threads about Rim Drive vs Belt Drive, Bearpaws, Symposium Acoustic Point Padz and Precision Couplers under the motor assembly, supports under the SDS, etc etc Various people report arm wobbles – others haven’t had it - including me.
Two examples:
Stringreen seems to be content after much frustration and many conversations with Harry. Bearpaws solved his arm wobble but he didn’t have the other problems people reported (I think..) What is now his config and what were the problems solved ?
Hiendmuse is also content it seems – but I’m a bit puzzled by those two Precision Couplers under the motor. Did he try three and reject it ? (two sounds a bit strange – especially when both are positioned perpendicular to the Rim contact point (as I read it).
As background – I’ve struggled with Rim Drive to such an extent I’ve gone back to belts. THREE of them… But I’m still very interested in trying out the various supports and footers that are mentioned in the threads – as ever on our Never Ending Journey.
My deck is on a Symposium Acoustics Ultra platform, itself on an Audiophile Base rack and carpeted concrete floor. I’ve just bought Eden Sounds VPI-TerraCones and have various footers available for motor and SDS, including Precision Couplers. I can’t play around at the moment as my Hovland HP100 pre-amp is in hospital awaiting replacement parts. But I can be prepared.
I’d like to understand how the different set ups for this deck have evolved and improved things for those who are Happy Chappies – so that I can try things myself and decide which works best for my ears and environment, since opinions and solutions seem to vary somewhat.
I’ve read threads about Rim Drive vs Belt Drive, Bearpaws, Symposium Acoustic Point Padz and Precision Couplers under the motor assembly, supports under the SDS, etc etc Various people report arm wobbles – others haven’t had it - including me.
Two examples:
Stringreen seems to be content after much frustration and many conversations with Harry. Bearpaws solved his arm wobble but he didn’t have the other problems people reported (I think..) What is now his config and what were the problems solved ?
Hiendmuse is also content it seems – but I’m a bit puzzled by those two Precision Couplers under the motor. Did he try three and reject it ? (two sounds a bit strange – especially when both are positioned perpendicular to the Rim contact point (as I read it).
As background – I’ve struggled with Rim Drive to such an extent I’ve gone back to belts. THREE of them… But I’m still very interested in trying out the various supports and footers that are mentioned in the threads – as ever on our Never Ending Journey.
My deck is on a Symposium Acoustics Ultra platform, itself on an Audiophile Base rack and carpeted concrete floor. I’ve just bought Eden Sounds VPI-TerraCones and have various footers available for motor and SDS, including Precision Couplers. I can’t play around at the moment as my Hovland HP100 pre-amp is in hospital awaiting replacement parts. But I can be prepared.