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Shelf for VPI scout

I received the Mapleshade catalogue in the mail the other day and was reading about the claimed benifits of 2" air dried maple shelf for a TT's. my TT sits on a VTI rack of only average quality and has glass shelves. It's not as stable as I'd like as I can push on the rack at the top and it rocks ever so slowly for once or twice before stoping. If I'd have to call it I'd say like 2hz or so. What I'm curious about is Mapleshade says that glass sucks the bass out of a TT, but on a maple shelf this is not so. Why is this?
last_lemming
sbrownnw
692 posts
 
Maybe a rega wall shelf with a large enough maple (or other material of your choice) platform on top? You might even be able to try different platform materials since they are separate from the metal shelf...
dcbingaman
93 posts
 
I use Boardsmith 2" thick mahogany butcher block boards under both of my tables - a spring suspended VPI HW-19 Mk. IV belt-drive turntable and a direct suspended Denon DP-75 DD turntable. Boardsmith will make a butcher block to any size and species of wood you want for between $ 200 and $ 300. My blocks sit of five 25# rated elastomer Vibrapods which are, in turn, mounted to a stiff 2x2 frame which is tied to the walls of my equipment alcove. Very solid.

With this setup the VPI is earthquake proof, the Denon less so. It picks up acoustic feedback in the bass, but only at VERY load levels. Pierre Sprey (Mapleshade owner) is a pretty astute dude - I think there definitely is a benefit to 2" solid platforms for most TTs. Maple is a good species, but probably not unique.

Pierre also knows his way around fighter aircraft design - one of the best minds in the business - we could use him back in the aerospace business today.
dcbingaman
93 posts
 
I use 2" thick Boardsmith built mahogany butcher block cutting boards for my TT's which then are isolated on elastomer pucks made by Vibropod. The whole works is then hung off the walls of my system 2' deep by 4.5' wide alcove. It works pretty well with both a Denon DP-75 DD in a custom plinth, and a VPI HW-19 Mk. IV. The Boardsmith guys are great - they will make a board of any dimension you want out of nearly any species of wood for $200-$300.

You may also want to replace your feet with spikes which set in brass footers made by Herbie's Audio. Killer.
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