VPI turntables

I just grabbed a 2nd hand Rega P8/Apheta 3 for under 4k Loving it!!!

Thanks I'll definitely look into the dual pivot mod.

Also checking on Technics and if anyone else has a recommendation in the $4k range.

When I sold my Prime, the dual pivot mod was not available.  I heard better sound from a friends HW19 MK IV with a Jelco arm.  With the same cartridge as mine, we listened to both his VPI and my Prime in my system.  My friends TT was the winner by a mile. We were both using a Dynavector DV 10X5 cartridge plugged into my Mac C2500 with cartridge loading on the fly.  Compared to my friends turntable, my Prime sounded like a cheap Project TT. I was a VPI fanboy for 20 years owning the HW 19 JR, Scout and Prime.  My Technics SL1200G is my last turntable as I am over 1000% satisfied. 

I no longer have my VPI table, but +1 on the dual pivot mod.  Easy to do and no more wobbling.

If you not completely happy with the unipivot, VPI has a 2nd pivot mod that I use...its about 100 dollars and is worth the cost and setup time.

If you are going to achieve a significant improvement as has been claimed, I'd suggest there would have to something drastically wrong to get that level of benefit. At best you'd likely achieve a minor improvement.

Before you even considering upgrading, I'd recommend that all cables and interconnects should be the absolute best you can afford so you know are getting the best possible connection from the stylus, to each piece of equipment and finally onto your speakers. 

I know some folk maintain cables are merely cables and digital is simply 0's and 1's. Ignore them for they are ignorant of the details.

'I'm looking at these models as they are currently on sale in the $3500 range I'm also willing to look at used tables.'

This listing is in meets your requirements, and unlike the other link is available to ship.

VPI Prime Turntable Reduced Priced to SELL For Sale - US Audio Mart

This listing has  has the right title-" PRICED TO SELL" which to me means seller will be open to negotiation. Work in an agreeable shipping cost, and you will have a nice upgrade.

I am one of those former VPI users, never quite did it for me, move from 9" to 10.5i arm not big deal. My issue is belt drive not for me, so DD VPI would be more aligned with what I'd do, and move away from unipivot.

When I bought my VPI it was way up the chain. It is the HW-40 which is direct drive and has the 12" gimbal arm. I have the Ortofon Cadenza Black and cannot be happier with the setup.

On my VPI tables I notices the biggest improvement was in the tonearms.  The basic platform is good, but the the unipivot tonearm is their weak link.  I tried a 12" Jelco TK-850L arm and experienced a significant improvement.  The gimbaled arms that VPI offers have been reported to be a significant improvement as well.

The SS cartridges are nice, but moving to a gimbaled tonearm will make Lyra carts sing with the right setup.  .  

I wouldn’t classify the unipivot arm as the “worst ever”. Far from it. Yes it is fussy but once set up, it’s amazing IMO. You might consider the used market. That’s what I did and got a great deal on a Prime. Maybe you can benefit from someone mistakenly thinking it’s the worst. Their loss could be your gain.

The new Prime 21 is at least $5500.00. When I bought my Prime with the unipivot arm ( worst tonearm ever) it was $4000.00 without cartridge. I went to the new Technics SL1200G for four thousand. I love it. I think you saw it in my system the last time you came up. If you do get a Prime, I would go with their newer gimbaled arm, it should be a lot less fussy.

The bulk of your performance gain will be with the 3-D arm. I replaced the JMW-9 with the 10.5 inch 3-D and things got much cleaner and more organized. Then moved that arm to a Prime chassis and saw less improvement than I anticipated.

Yes, you should get a significant improvement. I would definitely upgrade the table. I owned an Aries for many years. Moving up a couple levels in the table would be my first step… like the super scout. This gives you a more stable quieter base to make other changes. You have a pretty good cartridge.

The advantage of moving up the line with VPI is you like the sound… moving higher will improve all aspects of the sound you like. While there are lots of alternatives out there they are going to have a different character. So, if you like what you have and want to move up then your safest bet is to more up VPI with the same basic technology as far as you can. Getting in the $ 3 - $5 K range table gets you a substantial platform. Then you can look at cartridges later when you want.

You will get a lot of recommendations of other brands that are “much better”. They also may have a different character… which to you may find to be great or disconcerting. If you are inclined to investigate these other recommendations then critically read all the reviews of yours, the VPI you are thinking about buying and the others proposed. Successfully changing brands will require a lot of work to with low risk. There is nothing worse to make a major purchase and have several aspects of the sound get better and several things you liked get worse.

I moved from VPI to Linn LP 12… but from basically a $6K table (table, arm, and cartridge) to a $25K table. So, huge difference, but to maintain some of the characteristics I loved from the VPI required careful cartridge matching and a Silent Running Audio isolation platform ($3.5K). I could not be happier, but the transition was a lot of work. But I knowingly got into the project expecting lots of research (six months), and carefull choices and tweaking.

I'm looking at these models as they are currently on sale in the $3500 range I'm also willing to look at used tables.

Asking for VPI advice can go sideways pretty quick.

You’re either gonna get those who will suggest something completely outside of your question, or a reply reminding you how the VPI design is flawed and then a recommendation for a design that is "better." That may or may not come with an explanation as to why.

Example set with 1st reply.

I would have set the tone by requesting replies by existing VPI users that went up the VPI food chain.

I use a 10 year old Classic. I agree with many-VPI arms (uni or gimbal) are far from SOTA, but they don’t detract from an enjoyable listening experience, when setup properly.

Unless you’re prepared to drop some serious cash and you like VPI, I’d consider used-as they seem to drop value significantly. MSRP on VPI is overpriced. Find a Phoenix Roadrunner or Sota speed controller, and you’ll have a nice rig for not too much.

VPI Classic 3 Rosewood 3D Gimbal & TTW Audio TTWeights Black Onyx For Sale - US Audio Mart

Going up the SS line is a definite upgrade- I wouldn’t go past the MIMC with your table.

The table listed is worthy of going further up the SS line-IMHO.

Edit- link changed to seller listing

Not a huge fan of VPI tables but the Prime with 3D arm will definitely be an improvement. Whether it is the best way to move forward is another day's work. 

Personally I'd think you would hear a bigger improvement going with a Kuzma Stsbi S and keeping your current cartridge, if you have a solid stand to put the Stabi on. Just my own thought