2. analog
  3. 126978-2238

Some noise issues with my new VPI Prime

Hi everyone,

Was fortunate enough to purchase a dealer demo VPI Prime.  Have been enjoying it for the last week or so - it's a wonderful sounding table.  However, I am having a couple of noise issues with it.  It's still under warranty, but I was hoping to find a home cure if possible.   There are two issues:

1)  Motor noise.  This is from the mechanical operation of the motor - it doesn't change with volume of the system, but it's audible during quiet passages.  The motor makes a slight buzzing/rubbing noise with each rotation.  I am guessing that some lubrication is all that is needed.  I've tried setting the motor on a rubber pad, but that doesn't make any difference. 

2)  Buzzing from the tonearm wire.  I get a buzzing that increases with the volume. By 50% on the volume dial it is quite pronounced (you can hear it from the next room).  It is coming from the wire that runs from the tonearm to the Lemo connector on the junction box.  If I touch the wire, the buzzing changes as I move the wire around.  If I raise the tonearm very slightly off the unipivot spike, the noise becomes extremely loud.   I tried to wrap some tinfoil around it, but that didn't make any difference.  Could this be a defect?  

Any thoughts on some simple fixes that might address these issues?

Thanks,
Scott
smrex13
mb1audio
151 posts
 
"Looks like VPI now selling DIY kits instead of finished product right?"

Any good TT needs to be assembled. VPI is no exception. Can you imagine what a pre assembled TT would look like after UPS or Fedex got they're hands on it?

czarivey
4,494 posts
 
I certainly can imagine, but it seems to me far more complicated than that.
By kit I meant supplied parts to build from scratch from point zero:
Assemble motor, board, attach wires to arm... 
Attaching a ground wire to the tonearm the right way is almost same thing as rewire the whole arm. 
If just wires are supplied, you don't need to hassle and you can put together everything yourself.

chayro
1,801 posts
 
Jperry was right.  You purchased this from a dealer and they will take care of it.  Part of the price you pay when you buy from a dealer goes into after the sale service.  Get what you paid for.  
mb1audio
151 posts
 
" Jperry was right.  You purchased this from a dealer and they will take care of it.  Part of the price you pay when you buy from a dealer goes into after the sale service.  Get what you paid for.  "

Agree 100%, but I'm still not convinced the TT is at fault. It may be, but if you look at the OP's phono pre, it offers a great deal of adjustments. At the very least, I would call Manley as well, and see what they recommend.
garybegd
4 posts
 
Czarivey wrote " Attaching a ground wire to the tonearm the right way is almost same thing as rewire the whole arm."

Seriously? Attaching a ground wire is as simple as tightening a thumbscrew. Rewiring an arm is a job for a expert.

I have owned 2 VPI turntables over 32 years. The first 31 I had an HW19. Part of what I loved about it is that anytime I had an issue, I could fix it myself. Platter upgrade? just 4 screws needed to take out the old bearing and install the new one. I could swap out a worn out motor in 30 minutes. VPI always answered my calls and emails with a ready explanation, and they still service the table I bought in 1984.

That is a lot of why I bought a new Prime last year. It took about an hour to set up. Its fun to come on here and see all the people taking shots at VPI. But a lot of reviewers seem to think my $3800 turntable competes with some that cost $6000 more. And its nice to know that if it develops issues, help is just a phone call or email away.
More to discover