The VPI Rim Drive

RTR is a great playback system, EXCEPT there's never been an adequate selection of software. I got into RTR in the 1960s. Mail order wasn't what it is today, but it was tough finding the best recordings by the best artists on RTR. By comparison, today on SACD and DVD-A there's way better selection than there ever was on RTR.

LPs are also much easier to care for than RTR. It may seem like RTR is more trouble free until you get about ten-years into a collection in Florida, with high humidity reaking havoc. My LPs going back to the late 1950s still sound great (I always took care of them). Many of my RTRs are unsalvageable.

I've got a superior format to all in my system right now, 5.6HHz 1-bit DSD. Problem is, there's no software available, other than what I record myself.

Finally D2D beats R2R in my experience. Unfortunately there's the same problem, not enough software. At least you don't need a special machine.

Enjoy your rim drives.

Dave

I

Stringreen,

Did Harry mention what led him to reject alternatives to the two remaining rubber belts? IME the only advantage of soft rubber belts is ease of set-up-- and ease of set-up and consistency of results is a big consideration when you're a large manufacturer. I'm still hoping that someone with VPI rim drive will try threads(which are tricky to tension correctly) and report to this forum. I would be surprised if you don't hear an improvement.

I just saw the new Absolute Sound... Harry mentioned the new rim drive very positively and a full review is in the works.