VPI Classic platter - is center milled?

BRF: who did you talk with at VPI?

Okay. That is odd. Instead of an inner label recession, the platter has ~ 0.5 mm uniform center label rise.

It then appears VPI missed a QC check in the milling department. Coming up on 30 days of purchase. Hope this is not going to become an issue.

FWIW: love the TT! And thanks for the feedback. I'll update progress.

Hey guys, spoke with Jack at VPI - fun dude.

I am a bit embarrassed here as Jack said the platters [now] have a rise in the center and the TT comes with a rubber mat that absolutely must be used.

I clarified that the VPI manual recommends no mat sounds best. He stated that the manual had not been updated and not using the mat will create an uneven playing surface.

After I hung up, it occurred to me that I never asked why the change? I have zero complaints with the sound, but the clamp does not flatten several warped disc. Not sure if I want to commit to the periphery ring, but looks like it may be in the future budget?

Cheers!

Case of a true Analog company operating in a Digital world eh;)

Correct. With no mat, there is a 2 mm gap between the platter and vinyl so no vinyl touches the platter (excluding label).

I think it sounds very good (not sure what it would sound like directly on the platter); however, I do not find the ring clamp does much to even out slight to sever warps.

Sorry, I meant center clamp. I am thinking about grabbing the outer ring clamp, I agree, I think that will resolve the warped disc.

Brf: I just spoke with Jack at VPI. He stated that the center portion of the classic platter is raised (he went back and checked).

Maybe there is some confusion because some of vpi platters are recessed?

I mentioned his communication to you BRF. At first he said it was recessed, I said mine was raised 2 mm in center. He then said, correct. It is raised.?.

Second stringreen to decide the win here. It's getting exciting.

Reprince, Not really if it's upside down or not. I will call the factory and get back to you.

Yeah, I understood, I was not serious there either prince, the platter is properly installed :-)

BRF: I am not talking about the washer. From the center spindle is about 5 cm radius (label) which is raised about 1 mm above the rest of the outer platter. With the washer, the center (label) is raised about 3mm above the outer outer platter. I felt pretty confident after talking with Jack at VPI that this is correct, but now, I've got no idea.

Guess I will have to put on a new copy of Miles and Monk at Newport (mono!), open a cold beer, and think about this one some more.

To add to Bifwynne's clarifying questions: how old is your rig? I just purchased the classic 1 month ago. Could there have been a manufacturing change?

Brf: I have no idea what's going on. I spoke to Jack at VPI twice and he consulted with someone else there and stated the raised platter is correct. I also called a distributor who said they'd have another classic and the platter is raised.

I might try calling one more distributor and get a final confirmation. At this point, it seems like the platter is a matter of the draw?! If they confirm it is raised, I'm going to leave it. I'll update with any additional info...

FINAL UPDATE:
I was able to exchange the defect* platter for the standard platter.

ARE THERE TWO VERSIONS?
Yes, the manufacture did screw up a batch of platters, VPI felt it was not of sonic concern and sold them. The correct version has a ~ 0.2 mm recess which comes with a solid rubber mat versus the defect platter which has ~ 1.0 mm riser and comes with a soft waffle mat.

BIGGEST CONCERN?
When I purchased this TT, I put on a copy of Cream's Disraeli Gears and had to immediately take it off due to a solid warp of the vinyl. While disappointing not a big deal. However, even new vinyl has some warping that the raised platter and clamp would not even out. As a result the tone-arm always had a good bit of vertical deflection. This was never a concern on the Project Carbon with a clamp (and that drove me CRAZY).

COMPARISON:
First: It has been 12 days from the old to new platter so a direct comparison is not possible. However with the standard platter, you can either use a mat or no mat. The defect platter requires the use of the waffle mat.

After a couple of records, I prefer no mat versus the rubber mat provided (it also creates a nice vacuum on the record). While this is a personal preference, having the option is the bonus.

Second: Due to the turning on the spindle of the defect platter, the clamp would bottom out before it could really clamp down on the record (see above). FYI: If you do have this platter, I used two pieces of cardboard placed on top of the record to help clamp the record.

RECOMMENDATION:
Figuring this out was a stupid hassle but worth it. If you have the raised platter and can return it, DO IT! I just cannot find any value in a raised center and am not sure what VPI liked about it in the first place? Just watching my tone-arm not bounce is worth it.

Thanks to everyone who provided valuable feedback!!! I just found a used copy of The Afghan Whig's Gentlemen at the record store, so I am out of here....

*Defect Platter:
VPI stated that Harry liked the defect platter with the waffle mat and decided to keep it, but then went back to the standard platter on the next batch, so while it was a mistake, VPI liked the result.

BTW, I appreciated your input on this thread- big help. The new platter is great!