Why does the VPI motor thump

If a variac or SDS is used to manage the motor, there is no start up thump or pop.

I had the pop with both a TNT and an Aries motor. Currently using a variac on the Aries. Totally quiet start up and shut down. I turn on the variac when I turn on the preamp with the voltage set to 0v. I increase to 110 for start-up and and record brushing, then dial back to 60v for playback. When finished with a side, the voltage is doaled down to zero.

I like the very quiet background it provides compared to plugging the motor directly into the wall. Not sure I actually need something like a SDS because the speed seems OK.

Perhaps my system being totally balanced (all XLR connections) including turntable and everything else has something to do with it???

String, you're using a SDS. That isolates the motor. No thump. So does a variac and performs the most important functions of a SDS (isolation and voltage reduction) though manually.

Bpoletti...thanks for the answer

@Stan (Stringreen) -- does your Classic 3 motor get very warm to the touch? Been playing my TT. It occurs to me that the new 300 rpm motor gets pretty warm to the touch, actually quite warm. The old 600 rpm motor, while warm, did not get as warm as the 300 rpm motor.

I'm trying not to use the word "hot", but the motor almost feels hot after use.

Any thoughts or comments??

Thanks