My final table , hopefully !

Although I currently use a TW Acustic Table with Phantom MkII arm I can’t blame anyone for looking at the Prime. It’s a real VFM table that would justify a price tag twice that of what is charged. (Based on personal demos).

The others, such as the SOTA, already have an enviable reputation in the marketplace.

BTW, the Jelco 750 is a very good starter arm but it is very much that - a basic arm. The 3D will undoubtedly be a step up from this but be careful with the room temperature! ;^)

Hope this helps.

Hello Saki70,

I agree with you that the Jelco is superbly engineered and a first choice on many top tables as the starter "package". It is certainly no disgrace and at its price I can’t think of many alternatives.

This is an interesting budget alternative which might still be available for less than $1K (£750 UK)...and it is a dual-point unipivot if that doesn't sound too paradoxical. ;^)

The Hadcock GH228 Export :

http://www.6moons.com/audioreviews/hadcock2/export.html

Best regards,

Saki,

Reading that review mentioning the RB1000 reminded me of this item which perhaps should also be on everyone’s list :

http://www.audiomods.co.uk/

More information :

http://www.audiomods.co.uk/completearms.html

...and for an extra £100 you get "micrometer" VTA adjustment (now there's something you don't see every day on your standard Rega...  ;^)

All the best,

Dear Larry,

If you glance at Clearaudio’s home page they display 9 (yes 9) different T/T models.

http://clearaudio.de/en/products/turntables.php

I’m not sure if VPI did 9 models at any point but Clearaudio’s output remains impressive.

The only VPI T/T I’ve heard to date is the Prime but I’ve heard many Clearaudio T/Ts.

I’ve never liked the concept of Clearaudio’s ACB (Air-Ceramic Bearing) which effectively suspended the platter independently of the turntable i.e. if you pressed down on the platter it would “bounce” while the rest of the assembly remained stationary.

The sound of those Clearaudio T/Ts was still fairly neutral and honest.

Despite this, none of them really shouted “buy me!”

The Prime on the other hand I found intriguing. Subjectively it sounded more “fleshed out” than the Clearaudios and contrarily somewhat “darker” than those turntables.

It sounded good enough to me to actually buy (!) which is a fair compliment because I’m seldom satisfied with the sound of turntables in-store.

Unfortunately, I’m already happy with what I’ve got so the Prime isn’t an option but it remains for me the top buy in this category.

At risk of repeating myself not only does it sound like a million dollars but it looks like it too.

Traditionally turntables have always been an individual choice so auditioning is always recommended wherever possible.

IMO young Matt seems to have aced this one. He’s taken the market by the scruff of the neck… ;^)

It’s great to see designs like this emerging which, relatively speaking, don’t cost the Earth. :)

Did anyone notice that the OP said that he'd ordered a VPI Prime on Page 1?

Congratulations Saki on an excellent choice. I think you'll find this particular item is more Porsche 911 than "Honda Accord" ;^)

I know that feeling!

Hope everything goes smoothly.

All the best!