VPI Classic

Update: I contacted Larry at TTWeights and asked him about ringing some users report with the Classic's aluminum platter and his copper rings. His response suggested that the problem lies not with the ring, as the ring does not resonate, but rather with the platter, which resonates like motherf..k (I'm paraphrasing the symbols he used to describe how badly aluminum platters resonate :). He suggested using the TTW copper mat or the new wood/copper mat designed specifically for the Classic to stop any resonance.

I find this explanation interesting as Harry favors bare platters, including the Classic. If aluminum resonates that badly, why would VPI, first, choose that material, and second, insist that the Classic sounds best with no mat?

Hmmm, I am a bit suspicious of claiming the platter as the culprit. If it is the platter, I assume you would hear the ringing without the copper ring as well, right? More likely to be either the fault of the ring itself or interaction between the copper ring and the platter, perhaps.
I certainly did not hear any strange or unusual ringing using VPI peripheral clamp. Anyhow, I don't have copper ring to compare so I don't really know.
However, I do have TT Weight copper mat with its free 1lb (I think) center weight to go with my Classic. First of all, the TTweight, despite being a bit lighter than VPI center weight that came with peripheral ring clamp, sounds quite a bit more dynamic than VPI clamp and I prefer it. The copper mat also helps quite a bit. The sound is more full body, richer. Without teh copper mat, sounds is a bit flat, a bit drier. However, it is a bit difficult to really compare copper mat and no copper mat properly. The speed will change a bit as confirmed by Sutherland Timeline strobe. I have to adjust SDS quite a bit to get timing just right. However, the change is not big enough for say, KAB strobe disc to pick out the difference. VTA is also a bit difficult and I adjusted these by ears as much as I could, thanks to VTA tower, at least it was reproducible. If you want a bit more body, a bit more warmth and dynamic without losing any detail or if the system is a bit on the cool, analytical side, I think the copper mat/center weight can help quite a bit.

Thanks for the advice Suteetat. I myself cannot say I noticed any "ringing" and I'm not quite even sure what that actually means. Is it a way of describing too much high frequency energy perhaps? Maybe it's just the rig becoming more resolving and detailed and some process it as overemphasis on upper frequencies? Certainly it something actually rings audibly there is a serious problem beyond the use of a periphery ring.

If possible, can you post a link to the mat/weight combo you were referring to? I saw the VPI mats from TTWeights but didn't see any free weight included. They do have a VPI weight, however, for $150 I believe. Btw, how did you handle the washer with the weight? Did you just remove it? If so, does the weight flatten the records as well as the VPI clamp? Thanks!

There is a difference between VPI's Super platter and the aluminum one that has now become the reference...it is used on the rim drive Superscout. The difference is mainly that the aluminum platter is less weighty and focuses more on the upper frequencies. I don't get the feeling that it RINGS....there is no overhang or sustaining of those highs that I can hear. Aluminum is much easier to get perfectly round so that its timing is a we bit better than the Superplatter. Used with the VPI clamp and ring, they both are excellent....just a bit different.

Actusreus, awhile ago TTweight was offering copper mat for VPI Classic along with it free 1 lb center weight as a package here on agon. I no longer see that offer on agon or on their site any more.
I never used VPI clamp as I ordered my Classic with peripheral ring clamp so it came with VPI/HR-X center weight instead of the standard threaded clamp. Both HR-X center weight and TTweight clamp are unthreaded and fit right on the spindle. I don't see any washer on the spindle.