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VPI redesigning experiment

In my audiophile career I went through all the incarnations of the VPI TT, up to TNT 5. In my pursuit for the absolute sound I discovered Mapleshade's Pierre Sprey who convinced me that maple wood is far superior sounding material than any of the high-tech materials used on TT's. This was also the theory of SHUN-MOOK who designed the highly musical "Bella Voce" speaker. Based on this I designed a 4" thick turntable plinth from solid maple, and a separate one for the tonearm. Pierre is looking into making a maple housing for the SAMA. I am getting the new VPI's HR-X, platter-bearing assembly with their record hold down ring to fit in to the maple plinth, and the JMW 12.5 tonearm in to a separate 4" thick maple plinth. Both plinths will stand on cones on maple bases of the same dimensions. I have high hopes for a natural,unfatiguing, sweet, but not euphonic sound, devoid of harshness. I will let you know of the results. I hope I do not run into uncalculated nightmares or component changing to compensate for differences in sound. Let me know if you are interested.
Ted
tphalieros
talentkeeper
9 posts
 
Tphalieros, thanks for that valuable info. Looks like I could have made a serious mistake. I will now definitely go for the HR-X assembly. Give us a report once you've tested out the Maple plinth. Thanks.

Chul
slipknot1
1,423 posts
 
Ted-
I have my VPI Scout on a 3" thick slab of Canadian maple and the Mapleshade Isoblock footers under it. The footers are on a 3/4" custom cut granite shelf which replaced the original shelf on the rack.

My observations so far are that the maple really tightens up the bass, provides greater extension and drive. The laid back quality of the maple works in concert with the granite, which alone is rather lively and forward sounding. The granite has provided a heavy stable platform for the rest of the setup. 30lbs of granite, 20 lbs of maple, 30lbs of turntable, give or take..
talentkeeper
9 posts
 
Slipknot1. Could you elaborate on the 'footers'? What are they? I have gotten rid of my springs on my vpi hw19 kmIV and am contemplating either sorbathane pucks or wood cones such as perhaps maple.
tphalieros OP
39 posts
 
Slipknot, sounds like you've got something going there. I have used the Isoblocks under my acrylic plinth and find them excellent. they have the added benefit of holding slippery surfaces such as acrylic or polished maple, in place securely, something that is a must, for TT's with SAMA or separate armboards (like I plan to make)
For the benefit of those who have not heard about Isoblock footers, they are layers of cork and corrugated rubber in a sqare shape that eliminate vibration transference between components.
Ted
slipknot1
1,423 posts
 
Talentkeeper-
Ted has a description in his above post. To elaborate a bit: they are alternating layers of cork and ribbed rubber. each rubber layer is laid so that the ribs are are in alternating directions. They work very well under maple slabs and do a great job. The maple/Isoblock combination works very well on non-suspension tables, like my Scout.
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