Nick,
Nice review of installing the upgrade. I had almost the identical experience myself. I recieved my upgrade directly from VPI yesterday (12/16) and did the install today. My setup was also missing a set screw from the counterweight and there was no Shure VTF gauge included even though the directions say there is one included. Have not yet used any damping fluid yet (not sure where to put it in: the well or through the hole in the top of the tower}.
I opted to install my Shelter 501 rather than my Denon 103. Treated the pins with Walker Audio Extreme SST during the cart mounting phase.
My first impression is of a more forward sound over the stock arm, the soundstage seems a couple of feet further out into the room. The sound is still a little "raw" due I think to the need for the wire to burn in and the Walker SST to cure a bit. Lots of bass evident though right out of the box.
Instructions are vague about the fluid, saying only to "add it" after everything else is dialed in. Will probably want to start with just a little dollop of the oil if someone can tell me where to add it.
Nice review of installing the upgrade. I had almost the identical experience myself. I recieved my upgrade directly from VPI yesterday (12/16) and did the install today. My setup was also missing a set screw from the counterweight and there was no Shure VTF gauge included even though the directions say there is one included. Have not yet used any damping fluid yet (not sure where to put it in: the well or through the hole in the top of the tower}.
I opted to install my Shelter 501 rather than my Denon 103. Treated the pins with Walker Audio Extreme SST during the cart mounting phase.
My first impression is of a more forward sound over the stock arm, the soundstage seems a couple of feet further out into the room. The sound is still a little "raw" due I think to the need for the wire to burn in and the Walker SST to cure a bit. Lots of bass evident though right out of the box.
Instructions are vague about the fluid, saying only to "add it" after everything else is dialed in. Will probably want to start with just a little dollop of the oil if someone can tell me where to add it.