VPI Speed Controller


Hi, hope you are all well. I would like to hear from VPI owners about speed controllers. I have a very old SDS and wonder if the newer ADS is much better. I have the Prime Sig. with the Fatboy arm and Soundsmith The Voice cart, Pass XP25 phono, Luxman L509X, and ML ESL11As. Sounds great except for solo piano which does not sound good at all. I heard that speed stability could be the culprit and wonder if the old controller is the cause. Thanks for any input,Joe.
joeyfed55

Showing 2 responses by melm

You say you have a "very old SDS."  Some VERY old VPI speed controllers are not SDSs. So what do you have exactly?

Were it up to me I would prefer an old SDS to the more recent ADS units.

The best controller you can buy for the VPI is sold by SOTA and would include a new motor as well as the Roadrunner for continuous speed measurement.

Other things that you can do to help speed stability is add a heavy peripheral weight as was said, or get the VPI motor-flywheel combo.  

Everything will make a difference.
Other posts are correct, the SDS is better than the newer ADS.  The ADS is cheaply made and has been the subject of many complaints.

However, you seem to be aiming for high performance.  If you want the very best, SOTA sells a motor-controller-roadrunner combo.for VPI tables.  It has been discussed at length in the VPI forum.

Other ways of improving performance would be the motor-flywheel combo, if they still offer it, and the peripheral weight.