VPI SSM lacking bite

Sns

Thanks - I have the stock SSM metal spikes around so I'll give those a go, but I'm surprised re what you say on the Cerabases as I always had them down as tightening things up, especially under my speaker stands (PMC IB2s).

Sorry, in posting this thread I seem to have lost the beginning part....

I have recently bought a VPI SSM with 9 Sig arm, which replaced a ageing but tweaked Roksan Xerxes and Artimez, fitted with a Clearaudio Gold Insider. Just at the point of switching decks, the Insider went down, so I bought a new Transfiguration Orpheus. I now have about 90 hours on the cart, so it should be sufficiently run-in, but the sound doesn't have the responsive snap and punch of the Xerxes / Artimez / Insider set up (although other areas are better).

My immediate reaction is to look at switching the arm, and I think that the Graham Phantom mk 2 seems to be a logical move. Has anyone tried the SSM / Phantom / Orpheus set-up?

I should add that I bought the heavier weight for the VPI, which helped, and I also bought the mini-feet. I'll be getting the Super Platter and the Rim Drive - probably in that order.

Set up took ages and was done exactly with a digital gauge.

Thanks

Stanwal

Thanks for your response - the support that I'm using is a Clearlight RDC rack, which is sitting on Finite Elemente Cerabase's (rather than the RDC cones that ship with the rack). The Roksan was sitting directly on Cerabases, so perhaps I should try a set of these rather than the TNT mini-feet? All of my hifi components sit on an isolated island in the flooring, which has concrete beneath it, with the speakers etc. outside of this - so the components are free from foot fall and bass energy.

I should also mention another factor that's changed between decks, which is r the mains. I previously had PS Audio 600 in the system, but that also went phut just before the SSM came in - with that and the Insider, I couldn't believe my luck. The distributor in the UK couldn't have been less helpful - he was only interested is selling me a Powerplant Premier, and shipping a 50 kilo box back from the UK to US for repair would be prohibitively expensive. So, as a firm believer in regenerated mains, I'll probably buy an ISOL-8 unit, which is probably better anyway.

When I first put the PS into the system about 6 years it certainly added good definition - so I'm sure that this is playing a part, but I can't help but think that the VPI 9" Sig arm has lower performance to the Artemiz and therefore the the main culprit.

Lastly, I should add that I'm not using the antiskate device, which is so heavy-handed it won't even allow tracking of some records, and I'm also not using any damping fluid (which is the last thing that I need... ).

Thanks.

Thanks for the feedback - I'm sure that the Graham will be the right step, so that'll be next, together with the ISOL-8 regenerator. I'll report when it's in and set up.

In the meantime - if anyone has run / is running a SSM with Phantom & Orpheus set-up, then I'd love to hear an opinion.

Lastly, has anyone tried a set of Finite Elemente Cerabases under an SSM?

By the way - the PH7 and VM220s all have EAT valves fitted - they don't make them for the Ref 3 at the moment. These added weight, body, dynamics, extension and clarity and were a good, if expensive, move for me.

Raul

Thanks - the Roksan set-up was sold when the SSM came in, otherwise I'd certainly try it - or at least try mounting the Artemiz on the SSM.

Re the Insider - yes, I was always very happy with the cart, but heard mixed reviews of the Goldfinger, although the mk2 is supposed to be much better. Only thing is a new one is about UK£7,500 - so twice the price of the Orpheus. I looked at the Lyra, but thought that the Transfiguratioin would be more of a set-up and forget option, so opted for that as I didn't want to be tweaking VTA on a per-disc basis.