VPI Rim Drive vibrations

Is the belt on the rim drive properly seated? I've heard tell on some other threads that this could be the cause of any bumping against the platter. Make sure it is not twisted at all in its groove.

Krell 303.....that absolutely drove me nuts. I spoke to Harry a number of times, he gave me different belts, but although the wobble was less, it still wobbled, and it still drove me nuts. After searching for a year, I found the answer. My rim drive is absolutely rock steady, and sounds better than any turntable I personally have heard. OK...what's happening is that although Harry's belts are machined well, they are not perfect. You have to have the belt that is around the large disc drive that moves the platter itself be absolutely perfect, or have a workaround. Here is the workaround that is perfect. The motor assembly has to be able to move back and forth thus absorbing the outofroundness of the rust collored belt that is around the drive plate. HOWEVER!! the turntable itself CANNOT move therefore, that back and forth motion that was transferred to the table, and thus to the arm has to be completely eliminated. Get Bearpaws from Vermontaudio.com. These are very heavy brass cones that replace those VPI feet which were designed to move and absorb stray sound. NO GOOD. The platter has to be absolutely rock solid so that all the energy from the turning drive platter moves the motor assembly but not the platter and arm. Trust me...this is THE cure. You will love the increased fidelity from this setup.

Stringreen, thank you for the suggestion!

Just face it, the design is flawed, and Harry often admits it. Harry is marketing smart and knows the following will buy any 'change' that keeps product moving. Don't get me wrong, VPI basic units are outstanding, I own an Aries I. Just don't buy into his current designs wherein he takes the original concepts and violates them, e. g. motor in the pith.

Buconero117 - Not any more