WHAT TURNTABLE?

@bpoletti ......................

i had a VPI Scout and a VPI Prime and moved on to a Technics SL1200G.  The reason, I hated the unipivot arm. It was way too fiddly. My wife was so afraid of it she wouldn’t go near the turntable.  So, you are in error when you say people that don’t like VPI never owned one.  For myself, it’s never again will I own a VPI.  There are much better out there. My Technics at the same price of the Prime, blows it away and I am now happily spinning vinyl again. 

For those perhaps wanting a VPI, but not liking unipivots (I am such a person), consider looking for a nice used Aries 1, which can be had, if like me you get lucky, at a very reasonable price. I found an Aries 1 plinth and motor in Mint - condition for $400, then it’s missing platter and bearing (in likewise condition) for another $300. I can’t think of a table for twice or even thrice that I would rather have (except a Townshend Rock, but their owners don’t sell them. I luckily already have one.). Some prefer the Aries 1 to most of the TNT’s.

If looking for a long term TT try looking at the Origin Live Calypso Mk4
with the upgrade transformer, multi layer platter, and the Zepher tonearm,this setup will run you around $5,700.00 USD and you will be set for many years without having to upgrade in a couple of years.

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.

Most people here remember my frustration with VPI.

I finally set up my Classic 3 Sig SE / 3D unipivot/ dual pivot mod/ ADS/ 3 belts and was really blown away. I had previously a SDS that was going bad and the STP was off from the factory. It’s now exceeding my expectations.

The arm is fiddly...made better with the dual pivot mod. I’m using my home made mat and a Stillpoints LP-1 with my Acutex 425 STR. You would not believe the musical/deep bass this little cart retrieves from the grooves.