New terrastone footers and plinth for VPI classic1


I purchased some new footers for my VPI classic 1 along with a custom terrastone plinth to set my turntable on. In short, I am in awe at the improvement. I stayed up listening to side after side last night untill the wee hours of the morning. I woke up this morning and am listening as I write this. I just can't get enough of it. I have listened to several hours of music with these products installed so I feel safe making comments on what I am hearing.

I first ordered some brass bearpaw footers from Dan at edensound. They did make a nice improvement to the sound of my system. I was happy with them but, I was having a low level feedback issue and the brass bearpaws made it more pronounced. I could only listen at just below my normal listening level before the feedback became an issue. I did have to return the bearpaws to Dan but, it became clear to me that day that a rigid footer under the VPI table was the only way to go. I talked to Dan and he suggested the terrastone footers and plinth as this would do a better job of isolation and rejecting low level vibrations. For those not familiar with the product, terrastone is a dense, rigid isolation polymer. These footers are threaded for VPI tables so the switch was simple.

Now enter the terrastone plinth and footers. After several hours listening, I am very impressed and pleased with what I am hearing. The highs are more clearly defined. The bass is deeper and has more punch while remaining tight. This was very obvious from the first moment I put the stylus on the record. What surprised me the most was the change to the midband. It didn't jump out to me as immediately as the improvement in the bass and highs. But after more listening, The midband is definitely more refined and has a new level of clarity. I am hearing small things that I missed before. Now I can't quit listening to see what I missed earlier. It has made an overall improvement in detail and resolution across the board.

Don't get me wrong, I liked the bearpaws and they did sound good but, I am blown away by what I am hearing now. The combination of the terrastone plinth and footers have a WOW! factor that I didn't get with the brass bearpaws. I am fully pleased with this purchase and real world audible improvements that have been made. These footers and plinth have made the biggest improvement to the sound of my VPI table of any tweaks I have tried. New interconnects, power cord, you name it. These footers and plinth have made the biggest impact for me in my system. I personally wouldn't have believed that just a change in the footer could alter the sound in such a positive way as much as it has. It is a definite improvement across the board. A rigid footer under the VPI line of tables is a must have for me. I personally think the semi-suspended stock VPI footer is somewhat detrimental to the sound. You really must try a rigid footer under your VPI table and I highly recommend the products from Dan at edensound. I know this sounds like a sales pitch. I am just really enthused about my end results and wanted to share my experiences with you guys. Dan was courteous and helpful to me. He is easy to talk to and deal with. I would recommend doing business with him.


Andy Price
andyprice44
I am with you on the Terrastones. I put them under my preamp, its separate power supply, the CD player...and they all sound better Three cheers for Dan
I purchased these terrastone products based partly on your success stories stringreen. I read several post about bearpaws vs terrastone. Now that I have had a few more days to listen, the terrastone clearly outperforms the brass footer. The brass bearpaw is a nice upgrade and does make a good improvement. The terrastone footer is a jump ahead of the brass bearpaws though. Both of them are very nice products and I would definitely recommend the brass bearpaw over the stock VPI footers. Then again, if you can spare the extra cash, the terrastone footers are a nice step up.
I am also going to get some small terrastone footers to put under my tube phono as well when funds allow. I just spent all I will allow myself this month on this set of footers and plinth for my table.
Thanks for your review, I have a Classic 3 and I've been wondering about isolation. For example, I was thinking of an isolation platform like Minus K, which isolate the table from environmental vibrations. I wonder how an isolation platform compares to Terrastone plinth and footers, reading their website they do say the following in FAQs "preventing entry structure-borne vibration and helping attenuate internally generated mechanical energy as well."
Hi

Just a comment about the Terrastone plinth with another turntable- the Raven One. I ordered one from Dan a year or so ago, on Jeff Catalano's recommendation.

Note that I committed the cardinal audiophile sin of changing more than one variable at a time in that I also remounted the Raven on a dedicated and more rigid stand.

All my front end is well isolated from the rest of my listening room and my Raven has the original( and somewhat compliant) Stillpoint feet, so I was not expecting big changes. Even so I believe I have gained a clearer midrange and more open treble. The Terrastone material is stiff and quite well damped.

I have no experience with the Terrastone footers.

Dan was easy to deal with and responsive to my particular needs.