VPI Rim Drive vibrations

Maczurak, the belt itself might be perfect but it's almoust impossible to put it in the rim 's groove evenly. Small differences in belt's tension around rim's perimeter cause variations in the belt diameter - thus causing vibrations on contact with platter

I was told that the metal rim on the superplatter is more accurate than the acrylic....that's why the directions is to adjust the height so that that drive wheel rotates on the metal.

With a rim drive table, the drive puck or idler wheel has to be perfect. Their should be NO variations whatsoever so that the motor, platter or idler wheel have to absorb them! That's crazy. My Dual 1229 (yes I know it's a different design, but the principal is the same) is perfect, as are thousands of Thorens, EMT, Garrard, Miracords,Rek-O-Cuts etc. Nothing can be 'out-of-round', that is simply unacceptable especially for a table of this caliber. It isn't rocket science to manufacture something from rubber or metal and to make sure that it is 'true' and 'balanced'. Anything less will certainly be transmitted into the music. I would raise all kinds of trouble until the manufacturer corrected the problem. I hope things work out for you. Idler/Rim drive has been the most rewarding listening experience I know of for vinyl playback. Good luck..
Norman

TerraCones installed on VPI SSM with Rim Drive … with mixed results.

1. Good part:
- no Rim drive rumble/vibrations felt on the plinth and tone arm is stable
- the soundstage feels expanded
- the bass is tighter
- imaging is spectacular
2.No so good part:
- all external structural low frequency noises (floor, etc.) are loudly heard in the speakers
- even a light finger tap on the rack (Salamander Synergy) is being amplified (with the stock feet it never happened)

Go figure…

Krell303....as for MY SS/rim drive, I got all of #1 and none of #2. Maybe it's my Bearpaws maybe trolls, but I'm a happy vinyl guy. Just thinking as I write. My floor is very solid French travertine tile at ground level with no basement. The turntable sits on a very solid table on a very solid floor. Anyway, its working well.

Normansizemore...VPI arms sit on a needle point, and the rocking can be very obvious with the rim drive. Most arms have gimbled bearings which would prevent the rocking I discribe. I suspect Thorens, Duals, Garrards, Miracords, etc. wouldn't have this problem even if the drive wheel were elliptical.