Upgrading from a VPI Aries 1- is it worth it?

Thank you for your thoughts.

When I brought the table to VPI they also hinted at "they don't make them like they used to" kind of thing.  They were also impressed with the condition of the table considering the age.  So we did discuss potentially upgrading the tonearm but I was caught a little off guard by the cost of the upgrade- a new 3D is $2k and the tower is another $1.5k- and then there's labor.  So call it a $4k+ proposition; and the Fabboy alone is $4.5k.  So that is when I started wondering if newer table (used) att some point down the line would make more sense.

But from the sounds of it it does seem that upgrading Ares 1 parts might be a better proposition.
@audibleguy 
Was it complicated to get the SME installed- did VPI do it?  You sound very pleased with this new combination.

Do any of you have any thoughts on other tonearms  that would work well with the Aries outside the VPI line-up?

@mulveliing
Thanks for the suggestions- Unfortunately I cant brace the rack to the wall because of some artwork that extends right behind it - but I will look into upgrading the feet.

Getting a gimballed VPI arm is a big upgrade to the weakest link in VPI tables. It’s an easy upgrade. The original unipivot design arms just don’t match up. The Delos will just explode with music.

I own an original Aries Extended (12" unipivot arm). I upgraded to a Jelco TK-850L. It was a successful upgrade and brought real life to my Skala.  Too bad that Jelco arm is no longer available.  

That ls one of the best cart, there is 2 option, get fatboy arm and upgrade phono stage. Me personally like tube in phono section. Either one will improve the sound .

So we did discuss potentially upgrading the tonearm but I was caught a little off guard by the cost of the upgrade- a new 3D is $2k and the tower is another $1.5k- and then there’s labor. So call it a $4k+ proposition; and the Fabboy alone is $4.5k. So that is when I started wondering if newer table (used) att some point down the line would make more sense.

Yeah that’s sort of the "problem" - endless upgrade options for VPI tables, and they’re good tables, but the retail cost of most upgrades is not conducive to good overall ROI. You can either wait (potentially a long time) for the specific upgrade you want to show up on used markets, OR (more likely) just buy a used table that already has the upgrades you want, at significant discount. Maybe even buy another table and rearrange between the 2, selling whichever you want less. Also, the dual-pivot is an inexpensive little bit that has good ROI even at retail.

I bought my Avenger from a guy who got it before any of the "Reference" upgrades were out, and upgraded as they were released. He complained about the cost of this route "they really get you on the upgrades" - yeah, it’s true lol. Let someone else pay for that stuff. I was used to Clearaudio charging a mint for every little thing you want to add on, and it's not much easier with VPI. 

Getting another brand arm (e.g. SME) plus new VPI arm board seems like a reasonable route too. The Aries is a good base.

Thanks for the suggestions- Unfortunately I cant brace the rack to the wall because of some artwork that extends right behind it - but I will look into upgrading the feet.

That’s too bad. It was the single biggest difference maker in my smaller setup, given the bouncy floor. Isolation feet can’t touch its impact. Even a Townshend Seismic platform had good effect, but not as much as the wall bracing. I bought 5m XLR cables so I could re-locate my rack against a good part of the wall, and it was well worth it.

If you decide on a new arm, may as well get speed control taken care of also.

Sota Total Eclipse

more accurate than VPI ADS-if you don't already have it.