Turntable comments and recommendations, please

Ed, you already own one of the nicest turntables available. And the RB300 tonearm is a fantastic combination with the VPI.

It would take very little to raise the performance of your existing rig to an extremely high level of performance, especially for the music that you primarily listen to. Hence the beauty of VPI turnatbles.

Might I suggest.....

1):Rewiring your existing tonearm with the Incognito/Expressimo wiring kit (approx $195).

2): Adding an Expressimo Audio Heavyweight counterweight (approx. $100)

3):Adding an Expressimo VTA adjusting kit (approx. $45).

This will raise the performance of your existing tonearm to a level of which you would need to spend a LOT more money to attain. In fact, if you contact Expressimo directly, they can do the rewire, install the VTA kit and Heavyweight at an even deeper discount price, maybe $350 complete?

You will be absolutely amazed at the difference you will be hearing just with the tonearm upgrade. Your turntable will be transformed well beyond the $350 investment.

If you wanted to go one step further.....

4):VPI Industries Part# 2001, MK-4 upgrade including the Black Night platter and inverted bearing assy. (approx. $600)

Now??? I'm not kidding Ed, this level of performance with a good cartridge and all adjustments properly made, you would have to spend in excess of probably 3 times your investment to attain.

You will notice music emerging from a satin black background, detail that you would have probably thought unobtainable from ANY turntable, and a warm, natural presentation for a fairly minimal investment.

Now you wanna talk about the VPI SAMA (stand alone motor assembly)?

Just food for thought.

Don't waste your money on things other than what Buscis2 has mentioned. I started with a Mark II in 1987, and it has been completely upgraded through the years to having all TNT parts and a SAMA. It is, in fact, excellent soundwise. The SAMA made the biggest difference. I can't say anything about your arm, as I use a Morch DP-6 Precision.

Jim

I also agree with above. The VPI and the Rega arm are two very good products that you can squeeze lots more performance out of. The cost to purchase a comparable full new rig would be incredible!

What they said. What you said you are looking for is a apt description of the VPI sound. Why change systems when you can get much more out of what you have? Stan.

Thanks guys, I appreciate your input. So far it seems unanimous that tweeking the current setup provides more bang for the buck than an outlay on a new rig. I had thought about this option but wasn't sure whether it would provide returns equal to a significant upgrade. Thanks for the confirmations to the contrary.
Ed

Ed, if you decided to go "full boat" including the SAMA, and a good quality cartridge, you would be attaining a level of performance knocking on the doors of turntables costing $6-$10,000.

With the myriad of new turntables available today, we often forget about "the benchmark standards" that have been around for years. Personally, I feel you would be hard pressed to find a turntable that will perform as well as the VPI after mods and upgrades. I mean, we can always try to find better. But once you reach this level of performance, you are going to have to evaluate if other products are possibly better, or just simply different sounding.

Best of luck, Ed.

stick with the vpi and spend the money on vinyl

As a very happy Teres 265 owner who listens exclusively to classical and jazz, I agree with the other guys!

If you're after warmth, a 265 isn't the way to go. A 245 or 255 would be warmer, the 265 is decidedly more detailed, more dynamic and more neutral. None of the 200 series Teres will be as warm as your VPI.

Upgrade your arm as Buscis2 described. Even if you decide to change tables down the road, an upgraded RB300 will play quite well on many other TTs, including a Teres.