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VPI Super Platter

From what I read here and at AA it appears the general consensus is that the Super Platter is a fairly significant upgrade from the all acrylic platters on the newer Scoutmaster and Aries turntables. However, I have an older Aries 1 with a fairly heavy platter that resembles in appearance, the Super Platter. Any Aries 1 owners know the one I am talking about? Would the Super Platter be as significant an upgrade to this platter as it is to the acrylic ones? Also, does the inverted bearing that comes with the Super Platter represent a significant improvement over the bearing I already have. My Aries is about 6 years old and has the JMW 10 tonearm. I also have the SDS.
randyhat
dgarretson
2,599 posts
 
Rick, Glad to hear that you like the original delrin/lead platter that I've also been spinning for many years on my TNT. I recall HW posting recently to a forum that the lead platter was fine, and that he had moved away from it only because of the lead hazzard.

There are several things that one can do short of changing platters to improve the VPI's sound. These include switching to thread drive & to unsprung suspension with a good isolation platform underneath. A silicon nitride ball in place of steel ball in the original noninverted bearing is also an improvement.
markd51
763 posts
 
Would this Lead/Acyrlic Platter also be the HW-19 MK-IV Platter as well? Where would one get this Silicon-Nitride Bearing Ball for the upgrade?
Thanks, Mark
dgarretson
2,599 posts
 
Boca Bearing on-line has SiC balls. I suggest polishing the inside of the non-inverted bearing cup with compound and a pointed felt dremel bit until the ball rolls smoothly in the cup. For reassembly, retain the ball in the cup using a few drops of oil between the ball & the cup. Get the oil change and the correct oil level done first before switching to a SiC ball. The ceramic ball is nonmagnetic. During subsequent service it will have to be retreived from the well with a small automotive grabber or by turning the well upside down. But I wouldn't expect a need for much servicing as the ceramic balls are harder & smoother than steel.
dgarretson
2,599 posts
 
Sorry, I mean Si3N4, not SiC ball bearing.
rcj1231
62 posts
 
Mark,
It was one of the MK4 upgrades, maybe the first, for the HW19. The Mk4 used whatever TNT platter was in use at the time and then later, the all acrylic black platter from the Aires Black Knight. The lead/delrin platter is 1 1/2 inches thick, all black, has cork on the bottom. The top is slightly rounded from the playing surface to the side. Weighs about 16 pounds.

You can get the Silicon-Nitride ball from McMaster-Carr. The VPI bearings use 1/4 inch, about $8 for a two-pack.

Hope this helps....
Rick
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