VPI Classic platter - is center milled?

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?

To add to Bifwynne's clarifying questions: how old is your rig? I just purchased the classic 1 month ago. Could there have been a manufacturing change?