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VPI Classic Setup By Brian Walsh

Hello Everyone, 

Just wanted to give a quick review of my experience with Brian's professional setup. In a nutshell highly recommended.  Thought I had my Classic setup pretty well as I spent at least 3 hours and I have to say it was fun.  My 1st setup by myself.  However, after thinking about how much is invested why not take it a step further and let a professional dial it in.  I have to admit I was amazed at the difference.  Once the tonearm hit the record an immediate improvement was heard.  The obvious difference was the overall balance and decay. Each instrument was noticeably more evident and overall clarity much improved.   I won't go into a lot of audio mumbo jumbo but bottom line Brian's tools and software are a no brainer. He provides each measurement such as azimuth, system resonance and crosstalk just to name a few via charts and graphs with his software. Afterwards the results are emailed.  In closure highly recommended and Brian will not leave until he is satisfied with the results.  

Sam
Ag insider logo xs@2xsamzx12

Showing 12 responses by bpwalsh

bpwalsh
1,197 posts
 
fsonicsmith, it will be my pleasure to come down. I'll give you a heads up.
bpwalsh
1,197 posts
 
Thanks for your kind words, Sam. Glad I was able to get that DV-20XL2 to sing! Sweet cartridge and a good match.

Brian
bpwalsh
1,197 posts
 
Stereo5, the service description and cost are on my website, ttsetup.com

Brian
bpwalsh
1,197 posts
 
I wish it was that simple. Every setup is different, although I set the overhang and offset angle consistently and follow the cartridge manufacturer's recommended tracking force. Optimum azimuth varies, even between identical cartridges. And then once in a great while there’s a cartridge that doesn’t measure well and may in fact be defective. Such was the case with a setup I did a few weeks ago, where there was 2.4 dB channel imbalance, and one channel’s crosstalk performance was poor. The cartridge was replaced under warranty, and on my recent return visit the new cartridge measured fine, as expected, and the client is very happy. So I take each setup as it comes, without preconceived notions of how things might go. By the same token my experience helps me evaluate and make adjustments efficiently and accurately.
I hope this helps.
bpwalsh
1,197 posts
 
stringreen, it's nice to have some of the upgrades, though I’m not convinced on the dual pivot.
bpwalsh
1,197 posts
 
The alignment geometry I use tends to have the lowest average tracking error across the record. That should be sufficient information.
bpwalsh
1,197 posts
 
phill55 - Never say never ;-)
Cleveland road trip coming up soon. PA, NJ, and upstate NY perhaps around mid year.
bpwalsh
1,197 posts
 
@rhodes - PM sent.
bpwalsh
1,197 posts
 
There are some things people have to figure out from pictures or whatever without instructions. If they covered every nuance in the manual it would be several times the size and nobody would read it. :-(

I just set up a Prime Signature at a dealer here in the Chicago area, with an Ortofon Cadenza Blue. Pictures on vpiforum.com in the Support area.
bpwalsh
1,197 posts
 
@weisen:
(Rev. Jim reference) What...does...a...yellow...light...mean?

In an ideal world, yes. But things are never ideal, and you can’t satisfy everybody. Complain to the manufacturer if the manual is lacking, or buy something else. Fundamentally it’s a pretty simple design, and dealers should be happy to help or refer you to someone, to save you the time and trouble. I set up just about anything out there and do a lot of VPIs.

Do you need me to stop by?

Brian
bpwalsh
1,197 posts
 
I don't write the manuals. All one can do is ask manufacturers to do better and maybe send them some content to add to their documentation. You can't force them, but nobody's being forced to buy their products if they are poorly documented and they do nothing about it, which is my point. Complaining in a forum like this isn't constructive.
bpwalsh
1,197 posts
 
Proof that if you write something that can be taken completely out of context, it will be.
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