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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
rateourmover OP
27 posts
 
Hiendmuse
I do agree it looks like I'm overanalyzing this. But, viewed in the context of my last four years of various hair-tearing struggles with Rim Drive - returning each time to belt drive until I built up the will to try again - I've now decided to extract the very best I can from belt drive rather than simply returning to it as a refuge (trying three platter belts for instance - as well as TerraCones. I'll also give different supports under SDS and motor a try).
Either I'm an idiot or there are slight but critical tolerances along the chain which combine and contribute differently in different examples of SSM.
What seems certain from reading other threads is the implementation can be fickle. What also seems certain is that Rim Drive sounds better than Belt Drive - since I've yet to read of anyone preferring Belt Drive.
Anyway, thanks for your input. I hope to eventually report which 'essential' tweaks for Rim Drive help or hinder Belts.
stringreen's avatar
stringreen
5,112 posts
 
I have found that MY rim drive works best with the turntable as solidly braced to the supporting table as possible. That means that there is to be NO movement at all under the table. That is why the use of Bearpaws rather than the mini-feet work for me. If any movement is under the turntable portion of the table, allowing the table to move at all, the out of roundness of the Super platter causes a rocking of the tonearm which is supported only on sharp point. The motor assembly therefore has to absorb the out of roundness and should be allowed to slightly rock, so the motor assembly should be on their soft rubber/spongy feet to do this. With the Super platter, if I put my finger between the motor assembly and the turntable itself, I can feel the motor assembly going slightly back and forth when working, opening and closing slightly the space between the motor assembly and the turntable. The Classic platter however, is manufactured more precisely, so that it doesn't move the turntable the way that the Super platter does. ....and an added bonus, it sounds much better too. I still have the Bearpaws securely holding fast the turntable, and the motor assembly able to rock if indeed there is any out of roundness at all. I can't feel it with the finger between the motor assembly/turntable test as described above, but even the very slightest error can rear its ugly head at the cartridge. My turntable setup is excellent now, (I'm using the Benz LPS) and find no reason to experiment further. For those who might want to know, the difference between the 9 inch Nordost wired arm and the 10.5 is so very minimal, I would think that aside from just wanting the 10.5, there really isn't a need for a change.
hiendmuse
257 posts
 
I have the SSM with rim drive and Classic platter and highly recommend 2 symposium acoustics round precision couplers between the rubber feet front and rear. I also use the Edensound bear paws and smaller symposium acoustics round couplers with center dimple for the bear paws to sit in. they all work very well together and have improved performance and sound.
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