VPI Turntable Owners Thread

[Billfort]

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 don't know about the platter change but have heard that the platter you already have on the Series-1 is considered quite desirable - some feel it is better than what you got on the Series-2 and 3 Aries. I am sure not considering changing mine anytime soon.

Nice table set-up by the way - I like the maple stand arrangement. Could you tell us more about the Terra Stone footers?

 

[Putz]

I don't know about the platter change but have heard that the platter you already have on the Series-1 is considered quite desirable - some feel it is better than what you got on the Series-2 and 3 Aries. I am sure not considering changing mine anytime soon.

Nice table set-up by the way - I like the maple stand arrangement. Could you tell us more about the Terra Stone footers?

When I bought the Aries used, it came with the upgraded Acrylic platter. A few weeks later, I asked the seller if he still had the original platter. He did and I bought it. Definitely the better of the 2. When I was at the VPI factory last month, Harry mentioned that the Acrylic platter was one of the few "mistakes" VPI had made over the years.

I spoke to Steve Leung that day about getting a new classic platter and he said it was worth doing. Since he works for VPI, a second opinion was definitely in order. He said I should get a new bearing as well even though I already have 2 of them. He suggested I sell the old platter/bearing on ebay when I asked him if they took trade ins on the old one. He also offered to have me drop the table off there and they would give it a once over and full set up while installing the new platter.

Regarding the TerraStone footers, they're made by Dan at Edensoundaudio. It's a high density polymer. Go to their site to learn more about them. Since the feet he made were higher, he also made a matching platform for the motor. Nice guy to work with and an excellent product. You could also consider upgrading the feet via VPI. They offer one or 2 sets of better feet.

Wall mount is a Target shelf with heavy duty screws to handle all the weight. Maple stand is a John Boos butcher block cutting board bought cheap on ebay.

 

[JRSBat]

In case you have not seen it, the Classic now has a Rosewood option. I think the upgrade is $500. The wood is exensive but it sure looks nice! Here is a pic from VPI's Facebook page:

 

[Skylab]

Wow. Maybe I really do need to sell my ScoutMaster and get one of those.

 

[MikeCh]

In case you have not seen it, the Classic now has a Rosewood option. I think the upgrade is $500. The wood is exensive but it sure looks nice! Here is a pic from VPI's Facebook page:

Very nice! That rosewood is stunning.

Mike

 

[JohnVF]

That rosewood Classic 3 is stunning.

 

[jblnut]

Yes it's "how much to trade in my black Classic?" stunning .

Wish I'd never seen it...

jblnut

 

[Art K.]

That rosewood Classic 3 is stunning.

It sure is!

 

[Gridslayer]

So I just picked this HW-19 up, I bought it sight unseen and when it was delivered to my house (long story) and I got it inside, I realized that the tonearm is an Audio Technica AT1010, probably the best of the AT line. Lots of adjustments. The cart is a Grace F9 that needs a new stylus, and once I get that, the rubber washer, and the clamp, I'll be good to go.

I read that with VPIs you don't use a platter mat, but I have never seen a picture of an HW-19 with the plain aluminum platter, they're all black. Is mine rare?

 

[guiller]

Very nice thread! Compliments to all owners of these beautiful TTs.

 

[WntrMute2]

In case you have not seen it, the Classic now has a Rosewood option. I think the upgrade is $500. The wood is exensive but it sure looks nice! Here is a pic from VPI's Facebook page:

Very nice but odd that they took the picture in the parking lot. Heard (and saw) one at AXPONA this weekend. Looks and sounds beautiful.

 

[JRSBat]

So I just picked this HW-19 up, I bought it sight unseen and when it was delivered to my house (long story) and I got it inside, I realized that the tonearm is an Audio Technica AT1010, probably the best of the AT line. Lots of adjustments. The cart is a Grace F9 that needs a new stylus, and once I get that, the rubber washer, and the clamp, I'll be good to go.

I read that with VPIs you don't use a platter mat, but I have never seen a picture of an HW-19 with the plain aluminum platter, they're all black. Is mine rare, and is it best not to use a mat? I assume that would be to create the vacuum with the rubber washer and the clamp?

Sorry, I don't know if that platter is rare or not. I can give some info re: your other questions:

1. I upgraded my Scout to the Classic aluminum platter. I do not use a mat - just clamp the lp directly on the platter. I suggest you try out a mat or two to see if you like the sound. Herbies Audio Lab, an AK sponsor, will let you try out a mat for 90 days. He has various mat versions you can try. He probably would let you try out a few together and return the ones you do not like.
2. I think you can produce a vacuum with the rubber washer/clamp combo with or without a mat - depending on the mat. I know the rubber washer/clamp combo can create such a vacuum on an acrylic or aluminum platter that sometimes the record remains sucked onto the platter after removing the clamp.

By the way - beautiful table! Looks like you have a great table/arm/cart combo.

 

[JRSBat]

Very nice but odd that they took the picture in the parking lot. Heard (and saw) one at AXPONA this weekend. Looks and sounds beautiful.

The VPI guys get creative with VPI's Facebook TT pics. Here's Mat taking pics of a Traveler with another unusual background.

 

[fly4x4]

I just set up my new VPI Traveler yesterday and have it equiped with a grado Gold cart. My question is what cables are recomended or what are some different cables that you folks are running with the Traveler? I have a set of sheilded rockford fosgate cables on there right now and have no idea what capacitance of the cables are.

Thank you

Jeff

 

[Joey1127]

VPI Traveler V2

Here's the VPI Traveler v2 with a Dynavector DV-20x2 cartridge. So far, I really like this table/cart combo. It just sounds right with everything I throw at it!!!

 

[MikeCh]

I just set up my new VPI Traveler yesterday and have it equiped with a grado Gold cart. My question is what cables are recomended or what are some different cables that you folks are running with the Traveler? I have a set of sheilded rockford fosgate cables on there right now and have no idea what capacitance of the cables are.

Thank you

Jeff

I'm using a set of Avanti Audio Allegro Phono IC's on my VPI Classic 2 and really enjoy them.

Mike

 

[nerdorama]

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

Hi,
Looks like some George Wright equipment under the TNT. George lived in my neighborhood. I have a WPP-200 for my Scout and Denon DL-304.

Nice equipment. I really like the styling of the VPI's.

John

 

[JRSBat]

Questions re JMW-10.5i/Classic tonearm

I received a JMW-10.5i tonearm this week. VPI let me trade in my JMW-9 tonearm plus cash for a minty, used JMW-10.5i tonearm. The arm I received says "Classic" on the headshell area and it's VTA base looks like a Classic 3 base - but I assume it is a JMW-10.5i. VPI said the two tonearms are functionally equivalent - the JMW-10.5i just has an "older" appearance and is less expensive.

The new tonearm sounds fantastic! I am hearing detail I don't remember hearing before. The soundstage seems clearer, bigger and better. I know it could be the placebo effect but that is fine. I am really enjoying this arm.

I have some questions related to the arm:

1. The arm allows for oil damping. Does anyone know if that is something I should do with my Benz Wood? If so, what is the best oil level?
2. Do you use the mechanical anti-skate or go with the "twist wire" approach? I played around with this using a test record. It seemed like the mechanical anti-skate helped after tweaking for a while. I did not try to get it perfect with the test record since the test record is not the same as real world music. I just wanted to get it close.

This should be the last upgrade I make – except maybe an upgrade to the feet. I don’t think I will get the HRX mini feet. I am thinking more of something like Herbie’s ball and cup TT feet.

 

[andyecon]

That is interesting, I didn't realize the longer arms could be dropped into Scout tables like that... I might have to call them and inquire about this sometime

I received a JMW-10.5i tonearm this week. VPI let me trade in my JMW-9 tonearm plus cash for a minty, used JMW-10.5i tonearm. The arm I received says "Classic" on the headshell area and it's VTA base looks like a Classic 3 base - but I assume it is a JMW-10.5i. VPI said the two tonearms are functionally equivalent - the JMW-10.5i just has an "older" appearance and is less expensive.

The new tonearm sounds fantastic! I am hearing detail I don't remember hearing before. The soundstage seems clearer, bigger and better. I know it could be the placebo effect but that is fine. I am really enjoying this arm.

I have some questions related to the arm:

1. The arm allows for oil damping. Does anyone know if that is something I should do with my Benz Wood? If so, what is the best oil level?
2. Do you use the mechanical anti-skate or go with the "twist wire" approach? I played around with this using a test record. It seemed like the mechanical anti-skate helped after tweaking for a while. I did not try to get it perfect with the test record since the test record is not the same as real world music. I just wanted to get it close.

This should be the last upgrade I make – except maybe an upgrade to the feet. I don’t think I will get the HRX mini feet. I am thinking more of something like Herbie’s ball and cup TT feet.

 

[majick47]

Gridslayer you have a vintage beauty of a HW-19, check the label on the pack of the oak plinth, it should say which version, it's either a MKI or II. I'd do a Google image search of HW-19s to see if and what was used for a platter mat. VPI is graet for answering questions re any of their products, send an email with the photo. Also if you need a replacement stylus for the Grace F9E contact SoundSmith, they can also retip your present stylus, cost is about the same either way.