Go to the VPI website and download the SDS calibration manual which will give you instructions on how to change the voltages settings. This way you can experiment with different settings and decide for yourself.
New SDS settings
I got a new SDS unit and the voltage drops to 72 V on both 33 and 45 RPM settings upon start-up. In my old unit, voltage would drop to 72 V for 33 and 102V for 45. I called VPI and Steve, who calibrates the SDS before it's shipped, told me that it should be 96 V for 33 and 102 for 45; he also said that the motor would not have enough torque at 72 V for best sound. Are we talking the platter speed being affected more by more difficult passages at a lower voltage? His recommendation was to recalibrate the unit.
I find it interesting as I thought the idea was to get the lowest voltage that would be enough to get the platter spinning. So if the platter spins at 72 V, it would be better than 96 V. I'm also very surprised the 'table works at the 45 RPM setting at such a low voltage.
Does anyone have any insight into this matter, or perhaps experimented with different voltage settings on the SDS? What is the interaction between voltage and sound? I guess the bottom line question is: what voltage is optimal for best sound?
I find it interesting as I thought the idea was to get the lowest voltage that would be enough to get the platter spinning. So if the platter spins at 72 V, it would be better than 96 V. I'm also very surprised the 'table works at the 45 RPM setting at such a low voltage.
Does anyone have any insight into this matter, or perhaps experimented with different voltage settings on the SDS? What is the interaction between voltage and sound? I guess the bottom line question is: what voltage is optimal for best sound?
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Actusreus here are the instructions. SDS Calibration Instructions If I remember back I believe my SDS needed in the 90v range to work properly with my thread drive TNT otherwise 72 as the others have indicated with belts. Cheers |
Thanks everyone. I listened at the run voltage of 72 with both 33.3 and 45 records, but didn't get a chance to experiment with different voltage settings. Will do perhaps this coming weekend, but both worked ok as far as the speed stability. However, at 45 it did seem that the usual pace and dynamics were somewhat diminished, but I need to listen to more records to be sure. Does anyone have any input or opinion on the torque issue with different voltages? |
If you're getting good results with 72v on 33 I'd be inclined to leave it there. 72v may be low (in terms of all electronic speed control with the SDS) for 45. Based on this: http://db.audioasylum.com/mhtml/m.html?forum=vinyl&n=974466&highlight=variac+blake&search_url=%2Fcgi%2Fsearch.mpl%3Fsearchtext%3Dgarrard%2Bzero%2B100%26SelectForumvinyl%3Dvinyl%26SelectForumvinyl%3Dvinyl I would try 72 and 92 respectively. |
- 13 posts total