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Rollerblocks under turntable ?

A year ago Roy Gregory in issue 52 of HiFi + described an interesting upgrade of his VPI TNT turntable by coupling the plinth to Ultra platform via Rollerblocks.
I was sceptic, but giving his fabulous audio knowledge I decided to give a try.
The results were very similar to his comments: the table recovers far more low level information,increased sense of life and presence in the performance, separation of the instruments markedly improved. After critics on another forum, I removed the tungsten balls to try the TT direct coupled to the platform and the sound was uninvolving and flat. So many people are convinced that side rocking of TT is very bad but in my experience it is not the case. Any thoughts?
jloveys
dan_ed
2,451 posts
 
Based on my experiences I would say that with the rollerblocks you get more air around instruments but you loose LF impact. It is most likely that you are hearing artifacts that are less dis-pleasing than without the rollerblocks. A safer, and maybe better in this case, experiment is to try Stillpoints.

Why don't you just sell the VPI and buy a table with a properly designed suspension? Or, buy a better non-suspended table.
stringreen's avatar
stringreen
6,443 posts
 
If it works for you, go for it. I manufactured a resonance control device called PonTunes that allow side motion and find them very helpful under the amp, preamp, CD player, power supplies, etc.
jfrech's avatar
jfrech
1,816 posts
 
Hi, I haven't tried the HRS.

I used to have a Ultra under my SME 20/2 and loved it. Currently I have my SME 20/2 on a Finite Elemente Master Reference with Cerapucs under the 4 SME 20/2 feet. It is a improvement over the Ultra, but NOT cost effective just from the turntable only...all together I like the Finite Elemente system for all my equipment.

Have you tried the rollerblocks under your VPI Feet? looks like you are bypassing the VPI suspension and using rollerblocks + the ultra as your VPI suspension...

Just curious. If it sounds better in your system, that's all that matters!
marty_t
23 posts
 
I use Mapleshade triple points under my Platine Verdier. This is a substantial improvement over the Verdier suspension.
mjglo
127 posts
 
With my VPI the drive motor is seperate from the plinth, dosen't that cause problems with the belt drive using Rollerblocks?

Mike
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