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VPI Rim Drive vibrations

I have VPI SSM with RIM drive and SDS. The issue I'm having is a vibration being transferred from rim to the desk/platter. As the result tonarm wobbles a little bit in azimuth plane.
I tried to replace the brownish rim belt, change contact force/distance between the drive and the platter, and reinstall the belt - the vibration still there (exactly one wobble per rim's full revolution - 360 degrees).

The speed stability is very good though - have checked it with KAB Speed Strobe.

Any ideas how to resolve the issue?

Thanks a lot!
krell303
normansizemore
601 posts
 
With a rim drive table, the drive puck or idler wheel has to be perfect. Their should be NO variations whatsoever so that the motor, platter or idler wheel have to absorb them! That's crazy. My Dual 1229 (yes I know it's a different design, but the principal is the same) is perfect, as are thousands of Thorens, EMT, Garrard, Miracords,Rek-O-Cuts etc. Nothing can be 'out-of-round', that is simply unacceptable especially for a table of this caliber. It isn't rocket science to manufacture something from rubber or metal and to make sure that it is 'true' and 'balanced'. Anything less will certainly be transmitted into the music. I would raise all kinds of trouble until the manufacturer corrected the problem. I hope things work out for you. Idler/Rim drive has been the most rewarding listening experience I know of for vinyl playback. Good luck..
Norman
krell303 OP
40 posts
 
TerraCones installed on VPI SSM with Rim Drive … with mixed results.

1. Good part:
- no Rim drive rumble/vibrations felt on the plinth and tone arm is stable
- the soundstage feels expanded
- the bass is tighter
- imaging is spectacular
2.No so good part:
- all external structural low frequency noises (floor, etc.) are loudly heard in the speakers
- even a light finger tap on the rack (Salamander Synergy) is being amplified (with the stock feet it never happened)

Go figure…
stringreen's avatar
stringreen
6,525 posts
 
Krell303....as for MY SS/rim drive, I got all of #1 and none of #2. Maybe it's my Bearpaws maybe trolls, but I'm a happy vinyl guy. Just thinking as I write. My floor is very solid French travertine tile at ground level with no basement. The turntable sits on a very solid table on a very solid floor. Anyway, its working well.

Normansizemore...VPI arms sit on a needle point, and the rocking can be very obvious with the rim drive. Most arms have gimbled bearings which would prevent the rocking I discribe. I suspect Thorens, Duals, Garrards, Miracords, etc. wouldn't have this problem even if the drive wheel were elliptical.
hiendmuse
257 posts
 
I have the Super Scoutmaster Reference with Rimdrive and Edensound Bearpaws. I get absolutely NO rocking of the tonearm- it is totally rock steady from the point the tonearm is lowered onto the record to the end of the record. I used the Fozgometer to adjust azimuth. This has completely eliminated any wobble I used to get when I adjusted azimuth without this device.
krell303 OP
40 posts
 
Stringreen...I have hardwood floor in my listening room and the basement under it. Both do not make a sound foundation for the table. Before SSM I had VPI Scout wall mounted on Target shelf - no issues with vibration whatsoever. Unfortunately SSM with Rim drive is just too big and heavy for the Target shelf.

Now I put back original feet and running the table non-stop for 24 hrs trying to sit the rim's o-ring belt more/less evenly
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