VPI Turntable Owners Thread

[Skylab]

It's one of several/many things I really like about my VPI. Honestly there really are not too many things I DON'T like about it If the Classic had been available when I bought my ScoutMaster I would have gone with the Classic as I prefer the look, but the SM sounds very, very good indeed.

 

[JRSBat]

In the case of the VPI it is a clamp, and it is integral to the design of the turntable. The combination of the clamp, which screws onto the spindle, and the way the platter is made creates a vacuum suction so that the record is held very flat onto the platter. One of the very nice things about the VPIs. Records that are slightly warped are no issue at all.

VPI also offers an alternative to its screw down clamp - the VPI HRX centerweight. The centerweight is not threaded - it holds the record down with its mass. It will not form a vacuum under the record. By itself, it does not smooth out as many warps as the screw down clamp so it is usually used with the VPI periphery ring clamp that holds down the record's outer edge.

The center weight and ring clamp combine to smooth out most record warps. When I use the centerweight/ring clamp combination the arm has almost no up/down motion. The only caveat is the ring clamp will not fit on a regular Scout platter. You need one of the larger acrylic platters or the new Classic platter to use the ring clamp.

 

[MikeCh]

Beautiful TT Billfort!

 

[MikeCh]

Thanks for kicking off the thread guys!

I have to admit, the VPI Scout (and Aries) always caught my eye over the years as they seemed to be based on solid design principles with great looks to boot. Love em. Alas, I ended up with a Classic myself and at this point can't say I'll look further, but would still love to spin a Scout or Aries just for fun :thmbsp:

Best,
Mike

 

[Art K.]

Beautiful TT Billfort!

That cartridge ain't half bad either.

 

[MikeCh]

That cartridge ain't half bad either.

Most certainly Art!....thanks for the reminder. TT = part of the equation.

Mike

 

[Billfort]

Thanks guys, it is a nice sounding combination and aside from a little tweaking I mean to get to with the stand, feet etc., I think I'm done with turntable 'upgrades'.

I've become a huge fan of VPI and can see myself being happy with one at most any pricepoint >$1k - liked every model I've heard.

 

[MikeCh]

Cart pic update:

Mike

 

[guest109]

I have to figure out whether or not I am going to list my HW 19Jr on EBay or on a forum. Last week the same model went for 732.00 without an arm.

 

[jblnut]

Classic with AT33ev

It's a crappy I-pic but you can get the idea. Blizzard Nemo still rages outside....

Jblnut

 

[3dogs]

Here's mine. HW19 in piano black with acrylic armboard, premier FT3 arm, and Adcom xc cartridge sitting on tiptoes. I bought it new in 1987

 

[JRSBat]

Man, every flavor of VPI tables looks great!

 

[WntrMute2]

TNT MK 3ish with racquet ball suspension and Audio Fidelity sapphire bearing, SME-V tonearm

HW 19 Mk 3ish Navcon suspension, Audiopoints spikes, Terminator T3 tonearm

16.5 RCM heavily modified. Urethaned inside and out, acrylic tray for waterproofing, fan in bottom with a interval timer so I can set it and let it run for 2 to 12 hours, Ikea LED light strip

 

[twiiii]

I have a model 17 record cleaner and am looking forward to an Aries 3 with metal platter from a Classic, the new isolation feet, etc and skating weight.. I have a Dynavector 20 xx2 with the Rabco and Thorens TD125. I haven't decided on which cartridge for the VPI and if I want a pre-preamp or a step up transformer from Dyna vector. Any ideas. Then do I want to Keep the Thorens. I think so!

 

[stereofisher]

Nice tables folks. Would love to get a VPI! Love the Classic but would take any of them. Scout? Sure. A Traveler? you bet. The owners are way cool! I want one because there a good table. Also I really would to support Harry and his family. I would buy a Traveler if I had the $$, despite the crappy post bitching about some of the problems they have had with them.

 

[JRSBat]

Happy Birthday to Me - HW-17i

My birthday present arrived today!

New style with aluminum top surface and piano black sides. Given the number of the current birthday, this thing will definitely outlast me.

I need to get back in the wood shop to make a suitable cabinet to put this on.

 

[windchaser]

I have a Classic 2 much like the OP...only mine is in black and with a Benz Glider...

 

[interalian]

Old, old, old TNT with SME V. Currently running with an Ortofon 2M Black (sounds very nice). Custom plinth by my buddy Jim. The whole rig weighs 125 pounds. Here it is hanging a Shelter:

Trying the Grado G1+ today. Sounds nowhere as good as the 2M:

The 'man wall':

 

[Putz]

My Aries 1 with original platter, Classic 3 Arm, Dyna 20XL has replaced the Grado in the pic, Terra Stone footers.

Thinking about replacing the platter with the current Classic Aluminum platter. Anyone done that?

 

[JRSBat]

My Aries 1 with original platter, Classic 3 Arm, Dyna 20XL has replaced the Grado in the pic, Terra Stone footers.

Thinking about replacing the platter with the current Classic Aluminum platter. Anyone done that?

I replaced my Scout's acrylic platter with the Classic platter. I posted a pic above. IMHO it was a big improvement - deeper bass, more open sound, etc. A nice extra benefit is that I can use the center weight and periphery ring clamp. In addition to improving the sound they allow me to play records that would otherwise be too warped to play.

I don't know how much of a difference it will make for you. Your TT looks like it has a higher quality platter than the Scout.

The platter might work with your current bearing. If you need a new bearing you have to be very clear what TT you are upgrading when ordering the platter. The first platter I received had a Scoutmaster or Aries bearing - way too big to work with the Scout. The vendor either misunderstood what TT I was upgrading or simply sent me whatever they had in stock. We wound up having VPI drop ship a platter upgrade kit to me.

VPI is now selling items like the platter upgrade directly through the DIY section on its website. However, most of the online vendors I talked to would give a 10% discount. VPI might not give a discount.