VPI Classic platter - is center milled?

I was half-joking, but given the confusion I figured I'd ask. I know Jack, and I'm sure that he would know his product, so the conflicting answers indicate some confusion in the communications. Simple way for you to check would be to lift up the platter and check the other side, I guess.

Abp689, are sure you are not talking about the centre being raised when "using" the supplied rubber washer which is meant to be used with a reflex clamp???

Yeah, I understood, I was not serious there either prince, the platter is properly installed :-)

BRF: I am not talking about the washer. From the center spindle is about 5 cm radius (label) which is raised about 1 mm above the rest of the outer platter. With the washer, the center (label) is raised about 3mm above the outer outer platter. I felt pretty confident after talking with Jack at VPI that this is correct, but now, I've got no idea.

Guess I will have to put on a new copy of Miles and Monk at Newport (mono!), open a cold beer, and think about this one some more.

The classic platter has a depression in its center....it looks like it would accommodate the label of a record. I tried with and without the rubber mat...the rubber mat wins for me. Without it the sound is too - errrr metallic

So String ..., if someone's platter is elevated as described above, does that sound like a manufacturing defect? Any thoughts or views about the sonic impact of the black shrink wrap VPI is using on the Classic 3 stainless steel wand?