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VPI Fatboys versus others in its' tonearm weight class.

In their never ending quest to push fiscally responsible audiophiles into bankruptcy, site members have succeeded in making me consider a new gimbaled tonearm to keep a Lyra Kleos company on a VPI Classic 2 turntable. Dover, on my previous thread, pointed out most other tonearm options would be limited on the Classic 2 short of major surgery to it. So here I am considering keeping the tonearm upgrade in the VPI family. Their gimbaled Fatboy, will readily fit onto the VPI Classic 2’s tonearm base without any fuss.

Here’s my question after reading up on the Fatboy. How does the Fatboy compare with other tonearms in it’s $4500 price range? Is it about average in that class, which would be acceptable, or is it much better or worse than its’ peers?. If you.ve had any chance to compare the Fatboy with other tonearms in the same price range, what is your impression? I don’t want to spend that much money on one if the consensus is that it’s at the bottom of its class, which hopefully it isn’t.

I haven’t had an opportunity to listen to one, or any other tonearm as expensive. I would likely need to arrange a two day road trip to accomplish that. In lieu, I’m soliciting your impressions as to whether the Fatboy is worth that much compared to others in it’s price range. I guessing it will be okay, but don’t want to spend $4500 if the consensus is it’s at the bottom of its’ class just because it fits easily on my turntable. So what do you think? I’m all ears.

I’m not looking here for alternative solutions to a Fatboy. That was the topic of my recent thread, I’m only soliciting your impressions of the Fatboy compared to other similarly priced tonearms, and why I should or shouldn’t take a chance on it. Thanks all,

Mike

skyscraper
tablejockey
3,891 posts
 

"dealer selling me the Fatboy will be doing the installation and setup once the new Lyra Kleos arrives, so I’m in luck there."

skyscraper-

You may want to make note of what alignment method  dealer is using, along with brand protractor for reference. You can then do a future setup yourself.

I'm a little envious- would love to put a Lyra/Fatboy on my Classic. 

skyscraper OP
829 posts
 

Tablejockey, I’d like be able to watch how he does the setup to see what can be learned, I will note the brand protractor as you suggest, and if possible, see how he does the alignment. He mentioned he uses a computer program during the set-up process, so that would be interesting. I did the set-up on my current tonearm and cartridge, but have no idea if it could have been done better.

If you haven’t mentioned it already and I've shamefully forgotten, what cartridge and arm do you have on your Classic? I’ll let you know here once the Lyra Kleos comes in how it sounds in tandem with a Fatboy, compared to the current Ortofon 2M Black on my JMW 10.5i. tonearm. Hopefully the improvement will justify the cost and be worthy of some envy.

I need to find out how long the Lyra Kleos takes to break in or begin to start sounding as it should. My Magico A3’ speakers sounded just awful the first few times they were used. Luckily they blossomed shortly thereafter, and relieved the equally awful feeling in the pit of my stomach. Does anyone know if tonearms have to break in as well? I can’t imagine why that might be, but that doesn’t mean it’s not the case.

Mike

andirocks
28 posts
 

The wire in your new tonearm will have a break in period which may take a while.

It's my understanding Lyra cartridges take somewhere between 50 - 100 hours to settle in.

tablejockey
3,891 posts
 

"what cartridge and arm do you have on your Classic?"

skyscraper -

presently using a  $2 Kiseki Blue. Prior to that used  the popular Audio Technica ART9.

In the grand scheme of things/context of my overall system, The KB is a good performer but I hear the ART9 as a better value. I don't hear a 2X the cost "better sound" This is naturally  subjective and system dependent. Fortunately, the KB was purchased at a significantly le$$ cost.

Perhaps a gimbal arm upgrade would bring out more from the KB. It's a reminder our hobby is just a matter of opening the wallet wider.

Looks like your dealer is doing a very detailed setup. I will be looking forward to you impressions.  

 

skyscraper OP
829 posts
 

Andirocks, thanks for that info.. Once the Kleos comes in I’ll wait a bit before posting here how its sounds.

Tablejockey,  Its too bad that when you spend twice as much you usually don't get twice as goog with most equipment upgrades. Diminishing returns set in quickly with this hobby. I bet your Kiseki Blue sounds real nice though. I'll have to look that cartridge up.

Mike

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