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Brand new VPI Prime 21 or used Clearaudio Innovation compact

Newbie to vinyl here but want to buy last or near last turntable first. Which would you experts prefer if you were in my shoes: brand new unit or used higher original priced unit?  My first cartridge would be in the 700 to 1000.00 range to test out.  Will upgrade to pricier ones in future. Look fwd to ur responses.

Will be running this through:
Audio Research PH7
Audio Research Ref 5SE
Pass Labs XA200 monoblocks

chenglo1

Showing 2 responses by ikev20

ikev20
2 posts
 
I have VPI Prime 21, their tonearm design is a joke,  it won’t allow to take heavier cartridge such as Benz LPS, there is no suitable counterweight or VPI does not recommend to change heavier counterweight, it is simple a joke in design and engineering 
ikev20
2 posts
 
Hi Mat,
thanks for clarifying and getting back to me, I am very unsatisfied with the support I have received so far without any suggestions or direction.

I purchased a brand new VPI Prime 21 Turntable around 3 months ago and contacted VPI customer support with legit question and basic need in Turntable setup

My original question as below:

”Dear VPI,I have VPI Prime 21 and Benz Micro LP-S cartridge which is 16.4g
I contacted VPI distributor in Autralia to buy new counter weight and got 200g as per advice, but they are too heavy. Can u advise suitable counter weight for benz lp-2 which is 16.4g?Thanks,Kevin”

below is response,
“You do not need a drop counterweight on Gimbal tonearms. We would suggest not having one as if you put too much weight on the bearings it could break the arm.”

“The counterweights are sold as add ons to Unipivot arms. They aren’t suggested for Gimbal arms because they can put too much weight on the bearings, causing them to break.


So I am really lost and assumed VPI Prime 21 has limited design without any warning on cartridge weight support anywhere, I am sure Benz Micro LPS is quite common and popular cartridge
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