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VPI setup

I just received my VPI Classic 1 -- 30th Anniversary turntable. Purchased on eBay, which I hope was not a mistake.

This is my first attempt to setup up a turntable. I have read the manual several times, and looked for videos and other sites reviewing setup. The TT has a uni-pivot arm which wobbles a lot and apparently that's just how it's designed.

So I'm playing my first records on the setup and there are two problems.

1. Skipping, even on new records. I have an Ortofon Quintet Bronze (new to me purchased slightly used on Audiogon). I've adjusted the tracking force to 2.6 using the Shure tool included with the VPI. This is slightly over the recommended range 2.1-2.5g. Do I still need to increase the tracking force a bit?

2. Voices are fuzzy. The only vocals I have are on regular vinyl. I do have some Mobile Fidelity Original Master Recordings of jazz (no vocal) and it sounds fantastic. But even these will skip, albeit less frequently.

Neither were an issue with my lesser Traveler and Bronze MM cartridge -- no skipping and no fuzzy vocals.

I've eyeballed for azimuth and followed all the VPI instructions the best I can.

I'm also wondering if given my investment I need to also purchase a good record cleaner -- better than my cheapo Spin Clean. Maybe with this step up to the Classic 1 and the Quintet Bronze it's just sensitive to every bit of dust and flaw.

Suggestions?

System:
VPI Classic 1 with Ortofon Quintet Bronze MC cartridge
Herron Audio VTPH - 2 phono preamp
Cary Audio SLP for linestage preamp
McCormack DNA-750 mono blocks
Vandersteen 3a Signature speakers
van Den Hul and WireWorld Silver Eclipse 7 interconnects
evolving
czbbcl's avatar
czbbcl
1,752 posts
 
I agree the spin clean is sufficient.

Do not go any higher on the tracking force IMO but certainly okay to stay at the higher end of the spec.

Recheck azimuth and also make sure the arm is level(ships wheel adjustment) for rake angle.

You may also want to try some damping fluid but go slow here as too much will kill the dynamics. Hope this helps.

Chuck
bdp24's avatar
bdp24
9,712 posts
 
1- Have you watched the Michael Fremer tonearm set-up DVD?
2- Where in the country are you?
discojoe
12 posts
 
VPI has a forum that should prove very helpful to you. Go to www.vpiindustries.com and click on the forum button. Both Harry and Mat will field questions as well as all the users of VPI equipment.
evolving OP
16 posts
 
OK, good to hear. I will slow down and go over it again, and again as necessary. Will look for the Michael Fremer setup DVD. The instructions with the VPI are pretty spare, at least for a newbie like me. And I am actually getting feedback on the VPI forum and here as well. It all seems a little mysterious, how to get it right, even though I know that's not the case. I'm in
Baltimore and have a local VPI distributor. Thanks again. I just hope that I didn't get or cause damage to the cartridge.
evolving OP
16 posts
 
ARRRGGGHHHH.

I got it! I honestly just emailed my local VPI guy asking for a quote for the setup, went back for one more try and I hit it.

The problem? The tone arm was not level with the platter. I did one last eyeball, thought it could come down a bit and eureka!

I guess I just needed to by humbled by defeat before I could succeed.

Thanks again for everyone's help through this. Quite a learning experience.
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