Good, better, best. VPI Classic 1 accessories and upgrades.

thanks for that. That's a pricey item, but I will look into it. I understand from reading that the speed is very stable on this table.

It's a great suggestion and I appreciated very much. I do have a very stable power, but will look into the SDS all the same.

Thanks for all of this. I can't really consider the prime as it's just not my style. I really like the look of the classic. That said, I will look into whether a version of the SDS is actually include in the classic one construction. There are a few SDS around for sale at a reasonable prices, so that would be an easily attainable upgrade.

The VPI forum is an excellent resource. It looks like HW was actually enjoying ortofon cartridges! I have already picked up my dustcover and a Soundsmith Zephyr to get started....The Ortofon bronze looks like an excellent match for my sonic tastes, but beyond my reach at this point. And, a different thread it all together!

It does look like there are other combinations of speed control that might be equally effective and less expensive.

Thanks for all of this. I can't really consider the prime as it's just not my style. I really like the look of the classic. That said, I will look into whether a version of the SDS is actually include in the classic one construction. There are a few SDS around for sale at a reasonable prices, so that would be an easily attainable upgrade.

The VPI forum is an excellent resource. It looks like HW was actually enjoying ortofon cartridges! I have already picked up my dustcover and a Soundsmith Zephyr to get started....The Ortofon bronze looks like an excellent match for my sonic tastes, but beyond my reach at this point. And, a different thread it all together!

It does look like there are other combinations of speed control that might be equally effective and less expensive.

All your inputs are helpful and on the money. After a little more due diligence, I also see that the SDS is likely unnecessary with the new Classic. A fair amount of my record collection is aged nicely (like me!), so the periphery weight seems like a good first step.

The Soundsmith Zephyr looks like a good place to start as a cartridge.

The 3D arm is definitley pricey, but may be worth the price. What are the improvements/differences you hear with it?

I recently sold my extra EdenSound BearPaws, but think that a wall mounted myrtlewood shelf will provide good isolation....

Now I really wish I hadn't sold off my Eden Brass!! I think that the SDS is scrubbed given the speed stability and the new table's even improved stability. The periphery ring, center weight and good isolation look like the triumvirate. A new arm maybe down the road....that ET looks pretty insane, flying in the "classic" face in a good kind of retro industrial precision way. And, some cartridge experiments to have some fun with along the way. I'll post follow ups as it comes together.....MUCHOS GRACIAS AMIGOS!

Thank you, Mcbuddah, for all the thoughtful advice from your long experience. It jives very well with all I've read. I have worked a lot with Dan at edenSound and have a variety of his incredibly effective and beautifully crafted and machined footers under a lot of my gear and plinths. The terracones are at the base of my speaker stands...and look great there as they will under my table! The new threaded feet on them look great for leveling the table.

All: And a big thank you shout out to you, too!

The Soundsmith is a must and I'm aware of the Falcon/Phoenix, but have read that the Classics stability is such that it doesn't benefit as much from those devices as other VPI series' might.

I have a narrow window on a great line for VPI gear and accessories so I am going to pick up the clamp and ring there....
Any clue on their mat? How about their Alignment jig? Dropped counterweight?

Soundsmith is actually nearby my home and on the way to VPI....I have a lag minute chance to change my order from the Classic 1 to the Companion. Any thoughts on that set up/arm? The azimuth on the fly looks like more than I care to deal with now...but might want to in the future?

Thanks again and remember to enjoy the tunes!!

Alrighty, then!
Here's what has arrived or is on the way:

Classic 1, black oak
Soundsmith Zephyr cartridge
Soundsmith Counter intuitive
HRX center wt.
VPI Peripheral ring
Dust Cover
KCI Silkworm IC's (hope they're long enough!)

To be ordered shortly:
EdenSound terracone VPI Classic feet (new product per Dan, now available!)

*Record mat...lots out there and the DIY projects look oretty good:
http://www.tnt-audio.com/clinica/januse.html

TTW has a couple of nice looking ones and (of course) the more expensive one looks best...Any more direction/suggestions would be appreciated?

Not in a hurry for the SDS or Falcon give the new Classic 1's stability.

LAST THING (for the moment....) is there specific gauge wire or connectors to use for grounding?

Thanks again!

No problem...wasn't really looking for audio advice as much as electrical. If it doesn't matter within reason, all the better!

I'm thinking the Funk FIrm 5mm Achromat. Any experience out there with that piece on VPI?
http://www.thefunkfirm.co.uk/turntables/page21/page21.html

Sound experience. The 3D arm is well liked, but definitely a very expensive upgrade...almost enough to make the Prime push the Classic into a piece of history. Still like the classic look a lot more, though, and style affinity still counts. I have a mix of terrastones and eden sound brass throughout my system and can try both...although the terracones are at the base of my speaker stands....might be a little tough. Dan has a lot of good things to say about the advantage of the terracones and has always been pretty accurate in my experience...and the black looks very cool....

Wood has always made the best sounding platforms for isolation and decoupling to my ear. All my gear is on myrtlewood plinths/platforms (which have edensound brass footers!), but my source dried up so the VPI is going on a 2" block of maple on a wall mounted shelf. I'm thinking that should be pretty damn sweet even with the standard arm.