Micro SX-8000 II or SZ-1

hi Thuchan, sorry to revive an old thread. was wondering if I could get your thoughts/opinions on various flywheel configurations with Micro SX tables.

I have a Micro HS-80 flywheel & agree this helps "stabilize the sound picture". my platter speed has always been consistent (& without noticeable fluctuation) when used with Micro RY5500 motor & Micro Kevlar or silk thread.

do you think the benefits of replacing the Micro RY5500 motor with VPI SDS/dual-motor flywheel is primarily due to its built-in flywheel? (just as Micro SZ-1M flywheel-motor used for Micro SZ-1T)

do you think VPI SDS/dual-motor flywheel results in HS-80 flywheel becoming redundant, or do you find there's even more stability when both flywheels are employed?

have you experimented with different belts, threads, etc. between your VPI flywheel & Micro platter?

also interested to hear your comparisons of SX-8000 II vs. SZ-1T.

Hi 11flat6,
no problem with reviving. I am convinced that you can improve and stabilize a good turntable by the following measurements:

1) ensure you have separate isolation platforms for motor, table and flywheel

2) use a motor and pully which are in good condition and work absolutely stable (in case of older Micro designs maybe check, lubricate, exchange the transformer and/or capacitors)

3) better go for belts than threads. ensure the belts have the same distance and measure the belt tension. should be the same value for both belts

4) the VPI double motor driven by the SDS is one of the most precise and stable motor/steering combinations on the market today

Thuchan, you recommend three separate isolation platforms for motor, table and flywheel. How can one control relative movement between the three? If they move differently, would that not effect belt/thread tension and thus effect speed?

The Timeline database thread discusses the early SOTA tables that have the motor mounted on a sub chassis which is separate from the platter, so they could move relative to each other and according to some users, this caused speed issues.

hi Peterayer, the same case (ie. speed instability) could technically be made if a turntable's motor, table & flywheel all rested on a single platform or shelf.
it's important to consider if motor, table, flywheel, & platform(s) beneath turntable & associated components are rigid or suspended.

Peterayer, what Tuchan is suggesting is simply a fixed separate platform on the same plane under each component instead of one large one for all three. Setting up of belt tension is no different from them sitting on one platform. Theoretically this way you're isolating each of the 3 from interacting with the others mechanical resonance.