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VPI SSM Ref setup variations

What configuration of VPI SSM Ref are people running right now - and why ?

I’d like to understand how the different set ups for this deck have evolved and improved things for those who are Happy Chappies – so that I can try things myself and decide which works best for my ears and environment, since opinions and solutions seem to vary somewhat.

I’ve read threads about Rim Drive vs Belt Drive, Bearpaws, Symposium Acoustic Point Padz and Precision Couplers under the motor assembly, supports under the SDS, etc etc Various people report arm wobbles – others haven’t had it - including me.

Two examples:
Stringreen seems to be content after much frustration and many conversations with Harry. Bearpaws solved his arm wobble but he didn’t have the other problems people reported (I think..) What is now his config and what were the problems solved ?

Hiendmuse is also content it seems – but I’m a bit puzzled by those two Precision Couplers under the motor. Did he try three and reject it ? (two sounds a bit strange – especially when both are positioned perpendicular to the Rim contact point (as I read it).

As background – I’ve struggled with Rim Drive to such an extent I’ve gone back to belts. THREE of them… But I’m still very interested in trying out the various supports and footers that are mentioned in the threads – as ever on our Never Ending Journey.

My deck is on a Symposium Acoustics Ultra platform, itself on an Audiophile Base rack and carpeted concrete floor. I’ve just bought Eden Sounds VPI-TerraCones and have various footers available for motor and SDS, including Precision Couplers. I can’t play around at the moment as my Hovland HP100 pre-amp is in hospital awaiting replacement parts. But I can be prepared.
rateourmover
hiendmuse
257 posts
 
Rateourmover,

2 round precision couplers are all that is needed. This is a very stable platform for the SSM on the Ultra shelf, no movement noted, and much more stable than the rubber feet.
rateourmover OP
27 posts
 
Hiendmuse

Thanks. That'll do for me.

What's your thinking on rigidity of deck and rigidity of motor for Belt drive as opposed to Rim ? I can imagine the belts have enough 'give' to prefer/allow all else to be rigid.
hiendmuse
257 posts
 
Not sure what you mean, please clarify.
rateourmover OP
27 posts
 
Stock feet on SSM allowed the deck to move a little because they do, therefore Bearpaws or similar were preferred because it kept the deck absolutely rigid.
Slightly confusingly, similar rigidity was variously recommended for the motor unit. However, I do recall Stringreen saying the motor unit should be allowed to move to compensate for the outofroundness of the Rim Drive belt. This is apparently at odds to those who recommend the motor unit have supports which also don't move (unlike their stock squidgy feet).
Nett is I'm Confused for Rim Drive. I'm also more confused as to what should move slightly and what shouldn't for belt drive, as the interaction of parts is different.

Well, that's my attempt at a more detailed explanation but let me know if it only further mystifies and I'll try again.
hiendmuse
257 posts
 
The rim drive works great in my system as described, much better than belt drive. I have never looked back to replacing with belt drive. I think you are overanalyzing this- just try it. make sure the rim drive is not too tight up against the platter. when turning off motor platter should turn 1 to 1.5 times around then stop. it takes extremely minor adjustments to get this right. once set it does not move unless you move it yourself.
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