New Air Suspension Footers for VPI TNT

The paddleballs are all the same - they are literally the balls that are used in the paddle sport. Given that the paddleballs come packaged in the original Reactor canister, I don't believe VPI has modified them at all.

The pressurized balls provide suspension that is quite firm in comparison the spring suspension of my previous footers. Because of the firmness, the added weight of the tonearm does not cause the right rear corner of the turntable to be out of level my much at all. Unless your shelf (or isolation base) is perfectly level, I think you will find yourself using the leveling adjustments to correct the leveling of your shelf more so than to correct for the effect of the weight distribution on the plinth.

Balancing of the turntable is accomplished through the leveling adjustments on the four footers. The new leveling adjustment is in the form of a ring around the base of each footer that is rotated clockwise or counterclockwise in order to lower or raise the respective corner of the turntable. I like the new leveling adjustments better than the ones on my previous footers that required the use of an allen wrench to adjust screws at the top of the four footers.

I put in the balls on the HR-X. They work--more dynamic, snappier, better controlled bass.

Hi Gladstone,

Are the paddleballs a direct drop-in replacement for the air bladders, or are other changes needed. I have a TNT-V with the inflatable bladders. It would be nice if I could just buy the paddleballs, remove the bladders, and drop-in the paddleballs.

Thanks for your comments.

Nope, you need the little support base that screws into the plastic foot. The ball rests in this cup-like device that screws into the foot. Just call VPI to obtain it.

Gladstone, I also own a HRX, so interested to see that in your system they add dynamics and tigher bass. have you noticed any downsides compared to the air bladders?

What happens with the holes on top of the 4 towers after you fit the balls in??. I hope VPI provide some nice looking cap or something.
How does the ball under the extra weight of the tonearm cope?. Is it the same pressure as the rest of the balls?.

looks like I need to contact VPI to get some.

cheers Shane