SDS alternative?

[prt1969]

Having issues with my Scout w/aluminum platter upgrade. Slow speed per my KAB speed strobe.
This of course will drive me nuts until it is fixed. Is there a cheaper alternative than the VPI SDS?

[bauzace50]

Hi,

although I have an SDS, I don't know the characteristics of the competition. It is important to get one that has variable frequency on the current delivered to your turntable. It is the alternating current (AC) frequency that the motor uses for turning at a specific rate. That's why they are called synchronous motors.

But SOME turntable motors use Direct Current, such as Origin Live turntables, different from most turntable motors.
Just a thought.

Good Luck,
bauzace50

PS- DID YOU CONTACT VPI ABOUT THIS? It may be a problem with the belt, or with the pulley, with an inexpensive fix.

PPS- on the very distant possibility of inaccurate current frequency from your Power Company, you might call them to ask about their quality control of the 60 Hz standard. A VERY distant possibility, but perhaps worth checking?

[waynefi]

Best bet before you buy anything is email VPI with a complete decription . Mike or HW will usually get back to you in a day.

[JRSBat]

I just upgraded - thought this would be the case. I had to make an adjustment on my SDS to get the correct speed. I do not know of an alternative to the SDS. If you keep your eyes open, you can find a new or lightl used one for a lot less money on Audiogon or Ebay.

Your Scout must be newer than mine. I have an old Scout with the silver junction box. My upgrade required a new black junction box and modification to the tonearm riser. The riser hit the leg endcap - had to cut out a piece of the riser so it would sit flat on the plinth. I told VPI about all of these issues a couple weeks ago.

I agree with above - contact VPI to get an answer. They should be able to help.

[waynefi]

This guy makes them for his AR business and has tested on VPI and they work fine he says. No personal experience here.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=230801137825&fromMakeTrack=true&ssPageName=VIP:watchlink:top:en

[bauzace50]

@ waynefi,

those black boxes seem to be a valid alternative to the SDS, at a very attractive price. Only questions I might have:

-1- The maximum current draw this product tolerates, just to know if one's turntable draws current within the box's capacity. Probably NOT a critical consideration.

-2- Whether the black box ramps down the current once the turntable reaches operating speed. The SDS does this, and it makes a totally audible difference in motor noise.

Regards,
bauzace50

[waynefi]

Certainly questions I would ask before buying. But I actually did a few years ago, and was told it was tested. The VPI is an 8 watt motor if I remember, where the AR and others are more like 3 watt motors.

[JRSBat]

Did you contact VPI? They are at a show till early next week but they said they would try to answer emails. If you have a 600rpm motor seems they could give you the Classic pulley to fix the speed problem.

[Tedrick]

Did you contact VPI? They are at a show till early next week but they said they would try to answer emails. If you have a 600rpm motor seems they could give you the Classic pulley to fix the speed problem.

+1. If you are upgrading from a platter that is not compatible with the periphery ring clamp, then you definitely need to change the drive pulley to get the correct speed with the Classic platter. If this is the case, VPI will probably give you a replacement pulley.

[prt1969]

Spoke to VPI today. They are sending me a new pulley as the aluminum platter is 12" and the old acrylic is 11.5". I could have sworn that they sent me a pulley with the platter. Maybe they sent the wrong size? My memory ain't so great these days.

[prt1969]

Also, I have the 300rpm motor from the original Scout; from what VPI tells me, the pulley should be the culprit.
Hope it's this easy; aside from checking the speed strobe, I also counted revs with a timer; 95 @ 3 mins. We'll see what happens.

[prt1969]

Received new pulley yesterday. Pretty quick turnaround from VPI. Bit of delicate operation to get the old one off, but the new one did the trick. Speed is almost dead-on. I'll make some final adjustments this weekend.

[JRSBat]

Glad it works. VPI's customer service does a great job again.

Now you can really enjoy the new platter's sound quality - so much better than the acrylic (at least that is how I feel about mine).

[rkay5]

Hi,
A lower cost out board power supply that would work are the Pro-ject SpeedBox SE or the Music Hall copy both have 120V plug in.The only thing is you right Belt on the 45 rpm pulley all time as the SpeedBox use a 44.32Hz sine wave for 33 1/3 rpm and 60Hz for 45rpm.