When you put the string on a VPI table, it sounds closer, but not equal to a rim drive....it makes the same kind of upgraded sound, cleaner, clearer, more tuneful bass, etc.
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Just for kicks I went out and got some elastic thread, as my prevoius attempts to use silk and nylon thread resulted in lots of slipping. Why do I even want to try this? Purely for said kicks. I'm just plain curious to see if I can actually hear any difference between that and my VPI belt; will something with less friction and surface area sound any different. So, does anyone know of an elastic thread material that is the same tiny diameter as, say, silk or nylon thread ? (And don't say, "Yeah, man, it's called a belt.") The 'table is a homebrew, with a satin-finished 70mm platter; the motor is from an older TNT. Thanks, Mark |
Mylar tape (even without the special treatment I described on that thread) performs far better than rubbery belts, silk thread, dental floss, recording tape, vcr tape, spiderweb fibers or anything else we've tried. BUT, the motor's capstan and the platter must be suitably sized and shaped. The tape we use is 1/2" wide. Most TT motor capstans won't accommodate that. The platter should have flat vertical sides, no grooves or other irregularities. Additionally, the motor will need very precise levelling (paper shims work). This wide, dimensionally stable mylar tape is completely inelastic so it provides a direct mechanical linkage with no stretch and very little slippage - which is the whole point. However, this leaves very little room for deviations. If the sides of the motor capstan aren't precisely parallel with the sides of the platter, the tape will crawl right off the capstan in just a few revolutions. That usually destroys the tape (which takes an hour or more to make). Superb motor/platter coupling, but not for the faint of heart or for those who aren't adept at twiddling! ;) |
- 27 posts total