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Rim Drive Mod or how to make it even better

I was going to just add this post to a previous post regarding the VPI rim drive, but this is important and I want all those who use the new drive to know this. I just spoke to Harry W who told me that if you use sorbothane, or soft felt, etc, under the feet of the motor/flywheel assembly, the sound is even more improved. Don't use it under the turntable itself...only under the motors. I tried it and it REALLY works.
128x128stringreen
mosin
410 posts
 
Hi,

Consider that the platform where you sit the turntable along with the motor/flywheel assembly becomes part of the overall turntable the very second you do it. That means that the overall presentation of the turntable is necessarily affected, and only the user can truly tune it. By adding a highly compliant material to the bottom of the motor/flywheel assembly, the end user is able to isolate it to some degree, however. What all this means, the way I see it, is that any turntable made with external pods that aren't isolated by their very nature, are the same in that regard. I feel that is the reason that you will find some pods from various manufacturers that contain lead shot, or some other material, to help control unwanted effects. It goes, in my opinion, to the very concept of turntable design. Does that mean that it is a bad idea? Of course not. I believe it does mean that the shelf or platform you choose is as important as any other piece in the frontend, however. My point is that you may also want to take a strong look below the sorbothane to see if that "extended plinth" can also be improved.

.
stringreen's avatar
stringreen OP
5,112 posts
 
What I find so interesting is that the felt,et al only works with the rim drive - and only under the motors, and is detrimental under the platter assembly. Additionally, that it is a step backward using the felt under the motors as well with the belt drive. Never the less....using the soft footers with the rim drive is surely an advancement. ...from top to bottom there is a significant increase in clarity, pitch stability, etc.
maczurak
28 posts
 
Its interesting you mention this. I have my SAMA placed on a 6 x 6 slate tile and isolated from the maple platform using Sorbothane feet. I am also using silk thread belt for the Super Platter. The plinth rests on footer so both the SAMA and plinth are at the same relative height. I prefer this setup over having both the SAMA and plinth resting on the maple platform.
tfkaudio
589 posts
 
I ordered my rim drive in February and still don't have it! Who do you know?

Can't wait to try all this stuff...

Tom
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