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VPI Uni-Pivit Tone Arms

I have owned a few VPI TT with the uni-pivit arm. My current TT is the VPI classic 3 signature. The uni-pivit arm is wearing me out. The arm is always tilted to one side no matter how I adjust it. I also notice that the sharp point in the arm housing has rounded quite a bit. I remember some time ago when I touched it I would get a sharp prick like a pin sticking me. Now i can run my finger across it without worrying. Is this normal?
Has anyone else notice the tilted arm? Mine is tilted to the left and sometimes the ears (the part that sticks out from the arm housing) touches the base of the housing.

But with all this discomfort, the TT still sounds awesome. But I hate those things about the TT that I pointed out. I owned the vpi classic, scout, and scout 2, and they all have those faults I mentioned that bothers me.

What's your experience with the uni-pivit arms?


almandog
roberjerman
4,319 posts
 
And for twice the money there is the Fidelity Research FR64. I'd go for the Jelco!
almandog OP
141 posts
 
How about a VPI 3D arm and the Dual-pivot device?
Would I need to get anything else to accommodate those two items on the turntable?
Any here has that setup?
mmai
37 posts
 
almandog,
I don't think replacing tonearm with a 3D arm or adding dual-pivot is your answer because none of these get to the root of your problem.

The cause for the ear (it is called the azimuth weight, BTW) to tilt to one side could be many:
1. The plateform where the TT sits on is not leveled
2. TT itself is not leveled
3. The counterweight is rotated incorrectly.
4. Combination of the above

Also, with the worn-out pivot spike, you will most likely have to replace the bearing cup insert as well.

Hope that helps.
mijostyn's avatar
mijostyn
8,227 posts
 
One of the Origin Live arms would work very well at a very reasonable price. They are lighter than the Jelco arms and will do better with more compliant cartridges like Lyras. 
rbstehno
1,406 posts
 
I’ve had a few vpi unipivot arms with the last 1 being the 10” 3D arm. They had the funky way of doing antiskating but the newer arms actually come with antiskate setup. The ears are used for balancing the horizontal stance of the arm or just move the counterweight sideways until the arm has perfect horizontal balance. Not sure about your arm, but I know that I could have adopted the dual pivot option to my 3D arm which guarantees that the arm is horizontally perfect. I think it’s a $150 option and the user can put it on
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