Oakleys.
Do you have a connection with VPI? My manual from 20 years ago, says nothing about lubrication. That's what I referred to in my thread. |
Oakleys @ Frogman... Thanks, In regards to the bronze bushings, do they require any kind of lubrication? |
Correct!!! I don't have an invertive bearing! That's my point, I've been recommended by Mike , white lithium grease and 40W oil for a non inverted bearing!!! The problem is,..that VPI has introduced a range of products that can't even be supported by themselves, as far "solid" recommendations to "THEIR" own customers. Cummon'! |
Actusreus: I don't think I inquired about motor lubricant. Just platter/bearing lubricant.
Frogman: You're correct in your assessment of lithium grease vs. oil and their effects on the sound. I've been experimenting... |
I am using a non-inverting TNT bearing on a HW-19 Mk IV. Sorry for the lack of clarity. I recently have been experimenting with oil (differing weights) and the white lithium grease. I have installed a new ceramic bearing before experimenting. I've used 10w50 synthetic, standard 30 & 40W and the grease. First, the ceramic ball bearing is definately more revealing. In my system, the thinner the oil = leaner sound. A little too lean for me. I've settled on the lithium grease. |
FWIW: I've found THE solution...NLGI #2 w/DuPont Teflon.
This is the BEST sounding lube I've run across. Better yet, it DOESN'T break down over time! Very important. |
Frogman: No, not the Royal Purple. It seems a little higher viscosity and in applying it, feels more stable. I used it my first round for about 7 months, looked at it and could not notice any breakdown at all. In that time, there was no noticable increase/decrease in platter rotations after turning the motor off as I've experienced in every other lube I've tried. A slight sonic improvement over the white lithium I was using also. I use a ceramic ball bearing. |
Frogman: I think speed stability has to be a consideration regarding any lube. Regarding leaner/weightier tonality, I'd say the DuPont goes towards weightier, but with a solidity that wasn't there before.
There are a host of other system variables that can make this issue a positive or negative. I'm currently testing preamp isolation and that is 'huge' with regards to the overall sonic picture. I'm glad this issue came up again, for it's easy to get "settled" on a system's sonics and then, change just one thing (like preamp isolation) and the whole systems' sonic picture can change rapidly. |
Dopogue: FWIW, I use lint free swabs on a stick along with 99.8% pure isopropyl alcohol. No problems at all. |
Frogman: Since my last post, I switched to Mobile One 50w synthetic, (and changed my tube compliment). I feel I need to try any make a point... I look at the VPI tt lube as an ongoing area in which, based on any system upgrades, has to be looked at as an issue that will need to be addressed on an ongoing basis.
I stand by my assessment of the Dupont grease as the absolute best I've tried, FWIW. Never tried Royal Purple. |
.......I may be going back to the grease soon????? |
Yes, I just changed. ( the amount of any fluid is of great importance also).
I just put a little of the Dupont on the ceramic bearing and in the bearing well. I applied some Mobile One 5-50w synthetic to the shaft. This is an obvious difference!
Maybe at another time I'll try 30w. For now, today, I'll just listen.
Any of you that haven't tried these kinds of things, should.
This gives a weightier outlook on the whole sonic picture.
A little too much for me. I'll try something different.
OK, this is it party people: This is REAL TIME! I just put in 40w (4 drops in the well, one drop in the bearing shaft bottom & one drop on top of the bearing after it was placed in the shaft.
This my friends seems to be the right compromise for me right now. Are you getting it? This is a system dependant way of (voicing, if you will) your system. The more resolving your system is, the more you'll be able to (immediately tell the difference). |
Frogman: Yes, the heavier, thicker lube makes for a less lively, thicker, muddy, uninvolving sound that makes listening a chore.
Dover: Thanks for the Motul suggestion, I remember now, hearing guys involved in motorcyle racing mentioning this oil. |
Dover: I purchased a quart of Motul 300V 5w40 and installed it as I've done other oils, as stated above. (The dealer had no 5w30 and since I found that (standard 40w) had the basics, regarding sonics that I like, I went with the 5w40). I put on the Classic re-issue of Peter Gabriel "So", (my regular issue is too forward sounding and the whole sonic frequency range seems to me not integrated well) it has always been somewhat darker with a little (more pronounced bass). The overall presentation is more "quick on it's feet", bass is not dark sounding and has nice definition and solidity, some faint inner detail I've barely heard before is much more noticable now. I'll post again after more listening regarding how it's done on various records but this is my initial finding to keep the thread going. |
I've been listening more, here's my thoughts...
These type of issues shouldn't be of much consequence until one has established their own "life-time" system. By this, I mean, taken on a whole, you're system meets all of your requirements, room volume/system output, component synergy, an established reference cartridge/system adjustments for this, ROOM ACOUSTICS.
If you're at the level of what oil to use in your tt bearing, all of these (and probably more) issues should have been addressed.
Here's what I'm hearing now...
After all of my grease/oil experiences, I'm loving the latest Motul 300v 5w40 in my non-inverted VPI bearing, using a custom outboard motor enclosure and #2 silk bead cord. When you take as a whole, the different spectrum of recordings out there and with current ones being more "forward/bright", you have to find a happy medium.
Right now, the Motul 5w40 is my happy medium. I hear, especially in the bass region, more detail. There is also a sense of warmth, that on the wide variety of recordings, I translate in to this being a "go to" oil for me.
I could certainly see that trying 5w30 may be worthwhile. Only you can decide for yourselves. Me, for now, I'm going to sit back and enjoy, finally! |
Stringreen: Your known affermative action for VPI, is well known. Your lack of "knowledge on this issue" is well noted!!! |
