VPI TNT Turntables

Not that this helps the OP but ...

The discussion never resolved the question raised by phoenixengr: why is there an improvement in sound when using a flywheel? Seems to me a likely cause is motor isolation. The flywheel adds a buffer against vibrations. Those VPI motors are noisy in my experience. I found that moving to a teres verus motor on my Aries 1 - essentially making it an idler wheel tt - improved the sound dramatically. So much so that I can't see ever going back to a belt drive.

The VPI Rim Drive had similar strong reviews but they seem to have mothballed it.

The Hurst AC motors will always be a major limiting factor on the VPI tables.  I own a number of the Hurst motors from the 49mm series up to the 60mm T series and the one consistency is they all vibrate, some much worse than others (within the same series).  It looks like VPI just changed from the 59mm series to the cheaper and smaller 49mm on some of their tables (Classic and Scout, possibly others). 

I ditched my SAMA with the Hurst 5W 59mm series on my Scout table and replaced it with a 3 phase BLDC motor with a custom enclosure and controller.  Best thing I ever did for this table.  Zero burn on the belt, 33/45/78 RPM with the same pulley, reversible rotation for idler drive, lots of torque and the smoothest, quietest motor I've found for a turntable.

http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/analogue-source/288730-3-phase-bldc-motor-turntable-use.html

phoenixengr,

The Hurst motor on my Classic One started making noise within a few months after I started using the table.  I installed a replacement and it wasn't smooth right out of the box, but has since smoothed out.  I doesn't inspire confidence.  The BLDC motor sounds promising.  Do you know where one could be purchased?  You mention that yours in custom; does that mean that your standard psu/tach would not work with a BLDC?

I bought the motor overseas;  it has a 4mm shaft (the Hurst motor is 3/16") so I had to have pulleys made as well.  The PSU is also a prototype and very different design than the Falcon or Eagle, although operation is the same and it works with the tachometer.

Right now, I have no interest in developing it commercially.  I built it to investigate whether it would work better than the Hurst motors, and it turned out better than I could have expected, so mission accomplished, but also, mission complete.

I like the VPI TNT motor and find it has very low vibration.

I bought a spare, in case it can not be repaired.

phoenixengr - You have issues with Harry of VPI, because he did not distribute your products, and your grudges show up here, and on AA.