2. analog
  3. 133024-3034

aluminum platter vs Acrylic not what I thought

I recently got to hear a VPI scout with an aluminum platter and various platter mats.  I am having a hard time trying to understand where the fascination with aluminum is coming from.  The acrylic sounds far better.  Its not even close to my ears.  Is it that some people just never heard the scout with the acrylic platter?  I would strongly encourage anyone who is looking for a used scout with an acrylic platter to really take a good look at it.  It sounds much more like real music and for what these used scouts are going for, they are an incredible value.  Maybe its just system/cartridge synergy.  I actually thing the scout with the acrylic platter sounds just as good if not better and quieter than the classic with the aluminum platter.  The scout sounds more like an older Aries than the Classic does.  The advantage of the classic is the longer arm but I mean for many people, I am not sure you can do much better table than the scout with the acrylic platter for anywhere near to what they go for used and I would say they you could look at tables costing much more and still not get the music satisfaction in many ways that the scout accomplishes.  They just seem to portray the musical experience in a way that sounds right.  Aries and scoutmasters with acrylic have to sound killer.  The only platter that is as good that VPI made are there lead and hybrid metal aluminum/acrylic platter tables.  I think VPI is going in the wrong direction with aluminum.  To me the disadvantages far outweigh the benefits.  Others may disagree but if you find scout w/acrylic for a good deal, I would be all over it.  Sometimes you just don't know what ya have so I will probably hang on to mine for a while.
tzh21y
melm
1,085 posts
 
" VPI has tuned their drive system to specific platter masses and a change to PVC or a composite platter could upset everything."

I have not kept up with the most current offerings, but the original Hurst motor that VPI used (whether 600 or 300 rpm) has been used with their platters from less than 10 pounds to well over 20 pounds with and without VERY heavy flywheel accessories, with and without a 7 pound peripheral weight and heavy center weight and with oils of dramatically different viscosity. Hard to see why it could not drive virtually anything.

Too bad (for a third party platter) that VPI gave up its non-inverted bearing. For then the platter’s center bore was all the way through and not as critical since it fit loosely over the bearing, but held tight by a small O-ring.

As I hinted above I personally think the old bearing is superior as it permits a constant oil bath, and is far easier to work on if needed or desired. I believe the newer inverted bearing is cheaper for them to produce.
nandric's avatar
nandric
4,086 posts
 

Pierre Lurne who designed TT's for Goldmund and his own

Audiomeca used acrylic and lead for all his platters. I owned

his Audiomeca J1 which platter was 8kg weight thanks to the

lead ''loading''. But, if I remember well, there was no mat  included.

This suggest the assumption that acrylic platter don't need a mat.

My Kuzma Stabi Reference also use acrylic but in combo with

aluminum plates instead of lead. Kuzma however provided his

 platter with his own  made mat from ''textile'' and some additive.

Because my ''German artillery'' consisting of Basis Exclusive,

Emitter II , two transformer - and two battery power supply

also use acrylic  I stated to be ''loaded with acrylic''. I somehow

 seem to ''attract'' acrylic. Lew advised '' loading'' with Slivovitz

instead. Well I can assure him that my cellar is (also) loaded with

 this ''best plum brandy'' in the world. Made in Serbia btw (grin).

dodgealum's avatar
dodgealum
1,417 posts
 
I did not like the sound of the aluminum platter (Classic) sans mat. I am using a Herbie's Audio Lab Way Excellent II which to my ears sounds way better than with no mat. I've gone back and forth a few times and this has confirmed my preference.
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tzh21y OP
1,654 posts
 
The new aluminum plate uses the non inverted bearing.  Not sure if it could be damped better.  I am talking about the scout aluminum platter, not the Classic.  maybe a different mat?  we tried cork, felt, sorbothane... any recommendations?  With these mates, we could just not get rid of the hard sound especially at certain frequencies.  The acrylic works much better and you place the record directly on it
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