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 1 response by turntablemat

Hey all Mat from VPI here!

@ikev20 it will take heavier, we are in the process of making them.  But it sounds like you had some miscommunication with someone on my team or potentially with the seller.  Just means I need to hop on them with some more training :) Totally get your frustration/post if thinking that you can't actually get another weight. 

That being said, for the OP, of course I'm bias and would want you to purchase the VPI :p ... but my post is more about the caution of buying used.  Whatever the brand (and I say this about used VPI tables as well) make sure the pictures and functionality of the the used table are on par with your expectation.

We have had moments where someone tried to save by getting used and they end up spending more in getting replacement parts.  This just came up because this morning my team talked to a customer who got a used Scoutmaster and besides missing the belt, being out of alignment, and oh yeah... THE WHOLE FREAKEN MOTOR!  Of course that is on the buyer for missing that kind of important detail, but still who is expecting to deal with that nonsense when getting their table to start spinning.

Anyway, to the OP which ever table you go with make sure it is the one you want, and will be happy with and can be supported and ideally work out of the box.  Good luck in your decisions process and happy listening!