WHAT TURNTABLE?

LOL. Two tables each with some big things going for and against them. Very different schools/camps, so you’ll get very polar responses. I guess if it were me starting over and choosing between this pair, I’d give the Prime Signature a shot - but only in the wood finish (it’s honestly gorgeous), and after replacing the unipivot with whatever their best gimbal arm currently is. Ring clamp would be a great add-on, too - who doesn’t want the ability to perfectly flatten warped vinyl? Then I’d brace myself for the Mk 2, 3, 4, 5, ... N versions to roll through over the next few years.

Either one should be a really nice setup, with caveats.

I didn’t have to buy a VPI unipivot to know I didn’t want one. Just seeing the VPI tables with that arm at my prior dealer was enough of their unipivot for a lifetime, lol. I realize they’ve made improvements to smooth out the unipivot experience, like the optional dual pivot. Which is really making it a hybrid, like the Graham Phantom (I still own a Supreme). The Graham does a stellar job mitigating the issues of a unipivot. VPI’s new gimbal fatboy looks interesting, and like I said their Prime Signature looks amazing - should be a hell of a combination.

Sure, I’m biased, because I like big heavy Koetsus - if you strap that onto a classic VPI unipivot it’s like putting an alligator tail on a chihuahua. When it comes down to it, I just prefer the feel and universally good performance (with a wide range of cartridges) of great rigid gimbal bearings, and I don’t think that’s an uncommon opinion in this hobby.