Upgrade Tonearm for VPI Aries 3

I will upgrade my phone stage in a month .

My next upgrade will be the turntable, not sure.

I notice the azimuth has to be adjusted every week or two.
The sss's are noticeable but I can get it correct with weight or azimuth. It seems like the arm doesn't stay in it's settings.Everything is level and alignment is dead on, using mint protracter.

I'm using a Dynavector XX2 cartridge , it sounds nice but I am thinking of making a Lenco with a better tonearm.
I wanted to get a new tonearm and use it on the Lenco later.

Imaging is nice but I do notice sibilance from time to time but it could be the albums.

Thank you for the comments and overall I do like the Aries 3 turntable.

Thank You Stringreen, I'll try them.

Did you notice you had to continually make adjustments with the 10.5i arm ?

Moondog + Macster,

I will upgrade my preamp and phono within a few months.
I am considering a Herron line stage and phono or Coincident RC line stage and Zesto phono.

Currently I have a Supratek Cortese preamp with phono.

Records sound nice but it seems like I notice sss a little exaggerated and it is usually azimuth off a little.
I also notice my weight varies which is ok but I adjust it and sometimes the azimuth is off a little and I adjust it .

Eventually I will replace the tonearm and maybe table .
I enjoy listening to records and I would like a more solid tonearm that doesn't require constant adjustments.

And the counter weight is snug.

Thanks for the comments.

Wlutke,

Thank you for the suggestions,
The cartridge is only 3 months old,the lift is clear but I never though of looking at the wires.

I'll check them.

Bifwynne,

Good info , Thankyou , I'll check these this week.

I notice my weight changes as you noted, I never realized it is related to the wire. I thought is way do to not having a level platter, I bought a machinist level and the platter is dead level.

I don't use the anti skating but I will try it , I do get a little exaggerated sss but most of the time it's the azimuth.

I checked the zenith with my mint alignment gage and it's good.

Thanks again,

Bill

Bifwynne,

I think you hit the nail on the head.
I gave the wire one twist ccw and bam now everything is getting better !

I tweeked in the azimuth everything is getting better and the arm is more stable.
My weight is at 1.96 grams no sss.

Another thing I did was remove almost all of the damping oil in the cup.It made the arm more alive.

It's sooo nice to get back to some nice vinyl.
It will be a late night tonight .

I want to thank all for the comments and I'll post more info later this week.

Thank YOu.

Wlutke,

You are correct with the amount of damping fluid.
Eventually I will put a little more fluid in the arm.

But first I want to get everything as perfect as possible without the fluid.
I'm trying to find the happy medium settings where most records sound acceptable.

Wlutke,

I ordered a Herron line stage and phono stage today, I'll have it in a week can't wait.

Thank you for the set up guide, I really appreciate it.
Do you notice with your xx2 if you have too much VTF and the distortion comes back ?

It takes time to VFT VTA all dialed in but I'm getting there.
I have the Nordost wire in my 10.5i and I'm using the discovery cable.
What are you using ?

Thanks,

Bill