Maczurak, the belt itself might be perfect but it's almoust impossible to put it in the rim 's groove evenly. Small differences in belt's tension around rim's perimeter cause variations in the belt diameter - thus causing vibrations on contact with platter |
Maczurak, I did try to seat the belt with a round polished pin - it made the wobble less visible but still...No, there is no noise at all.
I hope to receive 4 TerraCone for VPI SSM Height-adjustment hardware Point-receivers from Eden Sound in the next few days and will post an update. |
Stringreen, thank you for the suggestion! |
Dear Stringreen,per your advise I've contacted Dan from Vermontaudio.com (edensoundaudio.com)regarding Bearpaws. He has responded quickly with info about just lanched new Bearpaw specifically for the SSM.
Per Dan, it's plug and play with the stock VPI mounting hardware; the base height is the same as the VPI OEM cones (1.875", or 1 7/8") and yet the solid brass of this Bearpaw remains infinitely adjustable (within 1/2" of the base height) in order to fine-tune leveling of the table at will. Adjust height with the touch of finger, then tighten the locknut just as easily.
One question though - my table sits directly on the top of the MDF shelf of Sanus rack and I have a bit springy wooden floors. Stock VPI SSM feet are able to tame floor vibrations relatively well.
With Bearpaws the table's plinth is going to be coupled directly to the rack/floor. If there will be any issues with vibration transfer from floor to the table? |
Well, dear Stingreen...when I've bought my house I didn't have analog setup yet :-) After talking to Dan from edenSound, I'm going to get his new gizmo - polymer/brass TerraCone:
"Yet for the ultimate in single-direction energy transfer and simultaneous isolation, you might want to step up to our hybrid polymer/brass TerraCone .
With a model sized specifically for the VPI tables w/ outboard motors, the TerraCone is our best and most sophisticated vibration-control foot for replacement of the stock VPI feet. It has a dual-material construction: solid high-quality brass for one-way egress of energy, and our proprietary TerraStone high-density acoustical polymer for isolation of the table from structure-borne and room-borne vibes. The TerraStone polymer is the most inert, neutral vibration-absorption matrix I have tested in more than twenty years of listening." |
TerraCones installed on VPI SSM with Rim Drive
with mixed results.
1. Good part:
- no Rim drive rumble/vibrations felt on the plinth and tone arm is stable
- the soundstage feels expanded
- the bass is tighter
- imaging is spectacular
2.No so good part:
- all external structural low frequency noises (floor, etc.) are loudly heard in the speakers
- even a light finger tap on the rack (Salamander Synergy) is being amplified (with the stock feet it never happened)
Go figure
|
Stringreen...I have hardwood floor in my listening room and the basement under it. Both do not make a sound foundation for the table. Before SSM I had VPI Scout wall mounted on Target shelf - no issues with vibration whatsoever. Unfortunately SSM with Rim drive is just too big and heavy for the Target shelf.
Now I put back original feet and running the table non-stop for 24 hrs trying to sit the rim's o-ring belt more/less evenly |
Adventure in audio space Part 2.
I spoke to Symposium Acoustics (they are located not so far away from me in NJ) and have decided to try Symposium Acoustics Ultra Platform shelf put it on the set of three Roller Blocks Jr on top of my rack. Ultra Platform supposed (hopefully) mto eliminate microphonic effect introduced by hard pointed TerraCones and at the same time to eliminate lateral vibrations from floor.
To be continued. |
Problem solved!!! I've got SolidSteel 6.3 rack, placed Symposium Ultra platform on the top (via Symposium Couplers), replaced the original SSM's feet with Edensound's TerraStone TerraCones (custom model for VPI SSM, height-adjustable via solid brass cone tip and brass knurled locknut, and complete with point-receiver) and ... WOW! It was like adding sub to the system + I hear much wide soundstage, pace and rythm are unbelivable on Ray Brown's "Soular Energy" LP. VPI SSM tonarm is rock steady now and there are absolutely no microfonic effect I've experienced while using TerraCones only.
P.S. I've tried Edensound Bear Paws too with almoust similar effect - but decided to stay with TerraCones to avoid scratching Symposium's surface with the sharp Paws points.
Stringreen and Hiendmuse - thanks a lot for sharing your experiences! By the way RollerBlocks Jr. now are sitting under my Sony SCD-XA5400ES SACD player |
Gja, I'm in Central NJ too :-) Is it a Rim Drive country? :-) |
Hiendmuse, after placing the coupler under RIM Drive - have you found any RIM drive's body vibrations caused by uneven rusted belt tension? |
Mred, there are too many variables to consider - including budget, current cartridge, synergy with other parts of the system...From my experience, switch from Scout Master to SSM with rim drive brought rather dramatic improvement in terms of dynamics, soundstage and lowering noise floor (same cartridge). Another big "WOW" was when I've switched from beloved AcousTech phono preamp to internal phonostage of McIntosh C2300. I thought it's going to be my very last analog setup. Well...then I've got a chance to buy a new Manley SteelHead - well below the regular price. Can't stand to listen to the internal McIntosh C2300 phonostage after Manley. So - it's all up to individual taste/setup |
Hiendmuse, I think that the vibrations are being caused by uneven placement of the ring belt on the RIM wheel. It's almost impossible to put the belt in the wheel's groove evenly |
Hiendmuse, looks like I'm putting rimdrive too close to the table - it stops almoust instantly. But - do not have any tonarm wobbles anymore. Will try to reajust over the weekend, thanks! |
