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Sota Eclipse packages for VPI tables.

My VPI PLC died a few months back. I’ve since upgraded the motor to the 300 RPM motor, but have been looking to replace the PLC. Even used, the SDS and ADS are quite pricy and the reviews are mixed at best, especially with the ADS.

I ran across the Sota offering, which includes a DC motor and speed controller. It costs roughly the same as a used SDS. There’s also an optional tachometer .

Has anyone done this upgrade to a VPI or other non Sota tables? How did it work out for you?

Thanks for your consideration.
vinylzone
vinylzone OP
288 posts
 
I pulled the trigger on the Total Eclipse package, an early Father's Day gift from the wife :).  I spoke with SOTA about it and it seems it's a simple upgrade to the VPI motor, with just a spacer needed to account for the greater depth of the new motor, and some minor wiring.  

Thanks to everyone for the advice.
tcutter
108 posts
 
What I did with the TE package and my HW19.  Base-mounted initially and just changed to a SAMA.  The VPI alternatives are not competitive in the least.

http://vpiforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=13319

https://audiokarma.org/forums/index.php?conversations/sota-toal-eclipse-sama-for-hw19.1013569/
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hattrick15
4 posts
 

@vinylzone, can you share your experience of making the upgrade to your VPI?  

I have a VPI Signature 21 and am thinking of getting the Total Eclipse Package.  I’m not sure of the specific steps to do this upgrade or how difficult it is.  Would appreciate your thoughts now that you made the upgrade last year.

vinylzone OP
288 posts
 

@hattrick15 

Sorry, I didn't see the question until now.

For the TNT, it was a matter of removing the old motor and the old captive power cord, I removed the the switch and routed the power in connector where the switch was mounted.  The Sota motor fit, but was slightly too tall to sit directly on the motor housing, so I used some small washers as a spacer.  Then I wired everything up with their connectors, as there's no motor control circuitry required.

Installation is considerably easier if you have an IEC power connector on your motor housing, as Sota can provide a replacement that routs the power connections thru.

I could have had Sota mill the motor well out another 1/4" or so, but I decided not to.

Then the power connector attaches to the output of the Condor, the Roadrunner attaches to the the Condor, and also to a sensor board that you install according to instructions.  Then you attach a small magnet on the underside edge of the platter, and attach the sensor board to the plinth so that the magnet passes over the sensor.  It took me maybe 45 minutes, and was pretty easy, but I'm very comfortable with electronics having built tube preamps and amps in the past.

I couldn't be more happy, speed is +/- .005 rpm.  The motor is audibly more quite and produces much less vibration than the stock Hurst motors that VPI provides.  If you run a VPI motor without the housing, you can literally feel the motor cogging when running free.  There's no vibration from the Sota motor under any circumstances that I've observed.

I have another table with a VPI motor, same platter, and a SDS.  Speed stability is slightly better with the Sota package, and though it's hard to tell because they have different suspensions, plinths and tonearms, I think the Sota setup is quieter, has better pace, and better, deeper bass.

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hattrick15
4 posts
 

@vinylzone , very helpful!  Thanks the all of the detail.

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