2. analog
  3. 1210089055

Turntable Leveling Question VPI Scout

I have a Vpi Scout on a Gingko Cloud 9 Platform. The Gingko model is the one where the turntable rest directly on the blue balls not the one with the top piece. The isolation cones of the VPI not not touch the Gingko base.

Do I place the bubble level directly on the acrylic platter to balance the turntable (it appears the platter in suspended on the spindle to some degree) or do I measure the balance on the turntable platform or the gingko base beneath it? I get differnt balance reading for each piece (platter,turntable platoform and gingko base)

autodexr

Showing 3 responses by dgarretson

dgarretson
2,594 posts
 
OK, after closer inspection I see that the separate armboard on my older TNT is not quite parallel with the plinth top. The platter top is parallel with the plinth top, but not with the armboard. Apparently elimination of the armboard on the Scout improves upon the early TNT in this regard. I don't think this small disparity in parallelism would affect performance of my Graham unipivot arm, but it might be a problem for arms with fixed azimuth or on which azimuth is not set by weights & gravity.
dgarretson
2,594 posts
 
I level the TT with reference to the armboard. This ensures perfect perpendicularity of the arm as a basis for setting azimuth. Leveling at various points on the platter may produce inconsistent readings.
dgarretson
2,594 posts
 
Yes. On my TNT the platter is slightly dished, as moving the level around on the platter produces inconsistent level readings. When setting up an arm, you want a consistent reference point-- as provided by the armboard or plinth area close to the arm.

I use a 3" Stanley straight level (Home Depot item). This works better than the round bubble levels that come with most TTs. (1) Place the level on the armboard just in front of the arm pivot. (2) Orient the level from 9 o'clock to 3 o'clock and level the TT plinth from left to right. (3) Orient the level from 12 o'clock to 6 o'clock and level the TT plinth from front to back.

The process takes just two steps, provided that with each adjustment you raise/lower the matching corner towers by equal amounts. It may take a bit longer if you're moving individual balls around.
More to discover