Brand new VPI Prime 21 or used Clearaudio Innovation compact

I have had both VPI and Clearaudio tables. Presently have a VPI Classic Signature with 10" 3D arm. Absolutely NO problem with unipivot arm, especially if you add a dual pivot assembly. Great turntable and has many upgrades for arm, speed control, multiple belt drive, etc.

Thank you all for your comments. Mulveling, girls dig the Innovation??? Say no more! I went with the Innovation with Magnify tonearm. I am contemplating the Soundsmith zephyr mk3 and will visit a local dealer on Friday.  Im keeping my options open though so any comments appreciated. I have a wide variety of taste in music range from classical piano, violin, Norah Jones, Pink Floyd, Gypsy kings to country music. 

Lostbear: ill probably upgrade to ARC Ref Ph 3 down the road. We will see how much deeper i fall into this!

mulveling,

 The Innovation originally had a round belt, but I believe a few years ago ClearAudio changed to a flat belt. My Innovation Compact has the round belt. I asked my dealer if it was worth changing to the flat belt but he really didn't have an opinion. Do you have the flat belt and if so, do you think it is worth the effort. As I understand it, you have to replace the pulley as well as the belt.

@chaneglo1
Congrats!! I hope you love it :)

@lostbears
I had the round belt on my Innovation Wood, and flat on my Innovation Master. So I didn’t get to do a direct comparison. The flat belt looks better (especially on a black delrin platter) and seems to grip better so the pulley system seems less "chatty" especially on startup. But I doubt that little bit noise could’ve made its way back through the stylus.

Yes, they pulley has to be replaced as well, and I forget the exact number but as I recall Clearaudio charges quite a hefty amount for the small piece of plastic! It’s enough that you should consider an S-Booster linear power supply, or maybe and isolation feet/platform (e.g. Syposium Segue), to have a better chance at making a meaningful difference for the same money. These tables need both good isolation and a solid rack under them for bet performance.

SIDE RANT: Audiogon’s- at-mentions have literally NEVER worked for me, grrr!!!

  mulveling, Thanks! Both of these look interesting. If I had one complaint about the clearAudio tables it would be the power supply. At this price point I have always felt they should have a higher quality power supply. I quickly browsed the S-Booster website.Do you know the model that would fit the Innovation Compact?

 I have my table sitting on top of a VPI turntable stand filled with sand and sitting on spikes. On top of that is a huge 3 inch thick maple cutting board sitting on  stainless steel cones. The maple cutting board overhangs the stand about a half inch on each side. The stand is very solid, especially with the weight of the sand and cutting board. My dealer has recommended that I use Stillpoints under the table points but I have not tried them yet.