Hiendmuse is correct. The original VPI cones become increasingly unstable as you adjust them...the new feet don't. In that respect, the sound is improved, however, they are not a major step up like the SDS or rim drive is.
VPI Scoutmaster feet
To date, I've used the standard VPI cone feet on my TT to adjust for the slight level inaccuracy of the built-in shelf in my listening room. However, to level properly it left two of the cones toward what I would consider a bit of an extreme with respect to a decently firm contact with the TT.
Thinking of replacing the cones with the VPI flat feet. To those that have these, do they allow (and are they designed) to be used for levelling? I understand within reason; the amount of levelling I'm talking about is on the order of say 3-4 mm max or so.
Thinking of replacing the cones with the VPI flat feet. To those that have these, do they allow (and are they designed) to be used for levelling? I understand within reason; the amount of levelling I'm talking about is on the order of say 3-4 mm max or so.
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The VPI feet you use, these are the mini-TNT replacement feet advertised on their website? I'm trying to figure how backing the 1/4-20 thread out of the base of the TT would make things any more stable than backing the same threaded bolt on the cone feet. A case of it just does? I had thought(and VPI volunteered to send me some)using washers of the same material as the top cone to maintain contact; thinking maintaining the contact of the body is critical for any. |
TT Weights makes totally awe inspiring feet for your TT. 1/2 inch of adjustment and they LOCK TIGHT. No candy a** foam here! Threads into your plinth like the VPI feet, but they snug up tightly. Then there is a rubber o-ring set into the base puck to add damping. As a bonus the o-ring keeps my TT from sliding around on the slippery Gingko platform. They are beautiful too. Here are a couple photos: base feet |
The removal of the rubber ring is the thing that I credit with much of the performance increase of the Star Sound feet. If you want a rigid suspension for your turntable then I can't imagine how it would help. You don't want the table damped in the base, if you do want it dampened put in a real suspension system. Every time I have used rubber in an interface it has degraded the sound The brass washers I mentioned keep a tight lock between the feet and the table; the result is better bass and faster transients. I would not want to give up either but the SDS would go before the feet if I had to make a choice. The advantage of rigidity in the new VPIs is that speed increases over the old suspended ones, the rubber rings decrease that rigidity and lessen the speed. Of course this assumes a good platform for the table. To demo the VPIs I have one set up on the optional turntable shelf of a Star Sound rack and the other on a VPI TNT stand which is loaded with 25 Kg of Atabits [small steel shot] and had the standard feet replaced with SS brass ones. On top the table sits on a 3" maple platform with another set of brass cones between it and the platform. Both of these present a very rigid system in which vibrations are removed from the table quickly. The rubber simply slows this down. Suspended tables can work very well too, but it should be one or the other, not introducing a small element of one into the other. I have derived this approach empirically from an absurd amount of experimenting over the last year and a half. |
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