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My latest toy...

73.129.54.230
Posted on March 19, 2017 at 08:02:44
EdAInWestOC
Audiophile

Posts: 6828
Location: Glen Burnie, MD USA
Joined: December 18, 2003
 Oh what a sweet one it is.



I should polish up the platter but I'm too busy listening to her. I have my SoundSmith DL-103D retipped with optimized contact line stylus and ruby cantilever mounted on the 3D now. I have already ordered a new Ortofon Quintet Black S that will go on the 3D arm.

Many thanks to one of our own inmates. He goes by the name curious and he is known to me as Pat...a sales rep at HiFi Sales in Cherry Hill New Jersey. I traveled up to his store in Cherry Hill and spent time listening to a very nice system this past Friday. If you are in the Cherry Hill, NJ area you should stop by and see this place.

Pat definitely took care of me and helped me make sure I got the Prime setup and playing well. If you are in the market for a turntable in the $4000 price range you really need to listen to a VPI Prime. I am very happy I took Pat's advice and I got a Walnut model.

Next is the dust cover I ordered from Stereo Squares. My Denon DP-62L is still setup and spinning next to the VPI Prime. The Prime is a much better turntable in all respects.

Ed
Life is analog...digital is just samples thereof

 

Hide full thread outline!
    ...
I love mine. It sets the standard, posted on March 25, 2017 at 15:23:22
texanater
Audiophile

Posts: 1513
Location: Houston, TX
Joined: December 16, 2002



I have no more record player anxiety. I am finally at peace with my vinyl set up. I'm 42 and this is a first. No more analyzing what I hear to consider where it could be better. Just peace.


You can't cheat an honest man, never give a sucker an even break or smarten up a chump -- W.C. Fields

 

I have a Tascam UH-7000 also..., posted on March 25, 2017 at 18:36:46
EdAInWestOC
Audiophile

Posts: 6828
Location: Glen Burnie, MD USA
Joined: December 18, 2003
 It makes great 24/192 FLACs.

Ed
Life is analog...digital is just samples thereof

 

you are the one who talked me into it!, posted on March 26, 2017 at 09:42:19
texanater
Audiophile

Posts: 1513
Location: Houston, TX
Joined: December 16, 2002
 I use it for ripping vinyl as well as a DAC. The DAC is really quite good. Its really a great value!

Thanks for tipping me off to it.

Nate

You can't cheat an honest man, never give a sucker an even break or smarten up a chump -- W.C. Fields

 

Sorry...my memory is crammed full of work related stuff...nt, posted on March 27, 2017 at 04:03:05
EdAInWestOC
Audiophile

Posts: 6828
Location: Glen Burnie, MD USA
Joined: December 18, 2003
 nt
Life is analog...digital is just samples thereof

 

RE: I have a Tascam UH-7000 also..., posted on March 25, 2017 at 19:06:25
SgreenP@MSN.com
Audiophile

Posts: 3538
Joined: April 23, 2007
 Ed... Have you tried your turntable without the Gingko?....The Gingko did nothing good and everything bad for my setup. I know and very much like the owners, but .....

 

The Gingko Cloud was under the Denon..., posted on March 26, 2017 at 07:58:29
EdAInWestOC
Audiophile

Posts: 6828
Location: Glen Burnie, MD USA
Joined: December 18, 2003
 The VPI Prime is on a slab of Maple butcher block.

Ed
Life is analog...digital is just samples thereof

 

RE: that looks potent, posted on March 21, 2017 at 19:21:02
user510
 All of its apparent assets must add up to one serious record spinner. And I notice the screw-down clamp. That's another strong asset.

A Cool rig.

-Steve

 

Thanks Steve...nt, posted on March 22, 2017 at 03:51:42
EdAInWestOC
Audiophile

Posts: 6828
Location: Glen Burnie, MD USA
Joined: December 18, 2003
 nt
Life is analog...digital is just samples thereof

 

My latest toy...In Walnut, posted on March 21, 2017 at 09:03:15
Steelhead
Audiophile

Posts: 863
Location: AK
Joined: December 11, 2003
 Congratulations Ed,

Gorgeous looking deck. Looks great in walnut.

Are you keeping the Denon? I have the JVC you were nice enough to recap for me and love the ease and fuss free spinning but spin the SOTA about 97 percent of the time.

Are you still in Maryland?

peace out, steelhead

 

Yup...still have the Denon, posted on March 21, 2017 at 10:33:14
EdAInWestOC
Audiophile

Posts: 6828
Location: Glen Burnie, MD USA
Joined: December 18, 2003
 The DP-62L is sitting right next to the VPI Prime. I also have a NOS Thorens TD-126II with a SME III tonearm. Both the Denon and Thorens are in prime spinning shape and the Thorens is absolutely mint both functionally and cosmetically.

I am trying to figure out what to do with the Denon and Thorens. I can keep two tables running at the same time. I have a Liberty Audio B2B-1 Phono preamp as my primary and an Acoustech PH-1P preamp and my second preamp.

The problem I am having is why do I need two turntables running? I could box up both the Denon and the Thorens and use the extra space for my digital audio workstation. The VPI Prime is easily the best turntable of the three, so sound quality is not a consideration.

For now I will keep the Denon up and running but I can feel what is going to happen.

Take care,
Ed
Life is analog...digital is just samples thereof

 

The Prime is certainly a beautiful turntable..., posted on March 20, 2017 at 18:53:52
John Elison
Audiophile

Posts: 23900
Location: Central Kentucky
Joined: December 20, 2000
Contributor
  Since: January 29, 2004
 I bought an Eagle and a second RoadRunner just in case I decide to buy a Prime. Maybe I'll replace my SL-1200 with a Prime. It's just that $4000 is a lot of money when I have a very nice turntable already. ;-)

Oh, well. Such is life!

John Elison

 

Thanks John...., posted on March 21, 2017 at 05:16:22
EdAInWestOC
Audiophile

Posts: 6828
Location: Glen Burnie, MD USA
Joined: December 18, 2003
 I was torn between the SL-1200G and the Prime. In the end I decided on the Prime because of the excellent implementation of VTA on the fly (it is a source of argument but it is very important to get the most from a line contact or better stylus). The Prime also has an upgrade path.

As nice as the SL-1200G is, you do not have as many upgrade options as you get with the Prime. The SL-1200G has something you could call VTA on the fly but its not as easy to use as the setup on the VPI arm.

I will add the VPI ADS to allow the electronic switching of speeds and then I intend to setup the triple drive belt thing. The 3D tonearm is very sweet and plays music beautifully.

Ed
Life is analog...digital is just samples thereof

 

Have you ever tried to adjust VTA actually "on the fly"?, posted on March 21, 2017 at 06:58:16
Lew
Audiophile

Posts: 10912
Location: Bethesda, Maryland
Joined: December 11, 2000
 Several of my tonearms lay claim to that feature, but I wouldn't dare try to adjust VTA while playing an LP; none of them "stay still" while you crank the pivot up or down, no matter how carefully you do it. Nor do I really think it's necessary to be able to do it. For me, it's sufficient that the tonearm has a precise, repeatable mechanism for setting VTA, not the old set screw method. I guess my point is whether there is a significant difference between the 1200G tonearm and the VPI 3D, given that I would always stop play and lift the stylus off the LP while making an adjustment to VTA. The VPI 3D is probably a better tonearm, for other reasons, however.

 

RE: Have you ever tried to adjust VTA actually "on the fly"?, posted on March 22, 2017 at 04:23:54
John Elison
Audiophile

Posts: 23900
Location: Central Kentucky
Joined: December 20, 2000
Contributor
  Since: January 29, 2004
 It is very easy to adjust VTA on the fly with my Technics SL-1200 Mk2. It has a large knurled wheel that can be turned to raise or lower the tonearm base while a record is playing. I rarely adjust VTA on the fly, but it is very simple to do on my SL-1200.

Best regards,
John Elison



 

Yes I have..., posted on March 21, 2017 at 08:08:03
EdAInWestOC
Audiophile

Posts: 6828
Location: Glen Burnie, MD USA
Joined: December 18, 2003
 And it works great. I have two tonearms with VTA on the fly. One is a RB-300 mounted on a Riggle VTAF and the other is the new VPI 3D.

The Riggle VTAF works but you have to take care when you adjust it during playback. The VPI Prime is a better implementation and seems to be impervious to any bad side effects when you adjust VTA. Nonetheless you always take care.

Most of the time I adjust the VTA just prior to spinning the LP. The advantage is I am familiar with my library and know which LPs sound best at which settings. I am somewhat anal about my LPs and I keep a maintenance log with each LP and some of them have notations for VTA settings.

For the ones that do not have VTA info, I adjust the VTA based on the weight of the vinyl.

Now that I have a new setup I have to update those VTA notations with the settings on the VPI 3D arm.

Ed
Life is analog...digital is just samples thereof

 

RE: Yes I have..., posted on March 21, 2017 at 10:34:29
ecl876
Audiophile

Posts: 3416
Location: Bend, Oregon
Joined: January 14, 2007
Contributor
  Since: January 28, 2012
 "I am SOMEWHAT anal about my LPs and I keep a maintenance log with each LP and some of them have notations for VTA settings."

Somewhat?? Wow! I don't know how you do it. I barely have the patience to clean my lps. Changing VTAs for each record would put me over the edge. Needles to say, I guess you don't let anyone near your turntable.

 

I only have my dogs here..., posted on March 21, 2017 at 10:38:35
EdAInWestOC
Audiophile

Posts: 6828
Location: Glen Burnie, MD USA
Joined: December 18, 2003
 Not much to worry about.

You make it sound like setting VTA is some big deal. It is harder to clean the stylus. Setting the VTA is no more than turning a knob next to the tonearm. It takes no more than 1 second.

Ed
Life is analog...digital is just samples thereof

 

Never knew it came in walnut ..., posted on March 19, 2017 at 17:45:44
reelsmith.
Audiophile

Posts: 13133
Location: CT
Joined: June 7, 2005
Contributor
  Since: January 19, 2010
 It looks sweeeeeet !

Congrats.

Could always tell from his posts you couldn't go wrong taking Pat's advice.

Dean.




reelsmith's axiom: Its going to be used equipment when I sell it, so it may as well be used equipment when I buy it.


 

Just vinyl wrap, but still looks good (nt), posted on March 19, 2017 at 17:49:18
slider
Audiophile

Posts: 298
Joined: September 13, 2010
 nt

 

RE: It does look good, but...., posted on March 20, 2017 at 07:42:46
kitch29
 ...wouldn't be too difficult to make it in solid walnut and there would be difference in tone as I found fooling around with walnut armboards.




Would be fun to try. Give the carving chisels and mallet a workout.

 

Solid Walnut, posted on March 20, 2017 at 10:49:41
EdAInWestOC
Audiophile

Posts: 6828
Location: Glen Burnie, MD USA
Joined: December 18, 2003
 Would add to the cost of the turntable. When Matt designed the Prime they had a price point in mind. To bring a walnut option to the market would have added hundreds of dollars to the bottom line.

Maybe it could be a option but somehow I think VPI has enough options already.

Ed
Life is analog...digital is just samples thereof

 

RE: Solid Walnut, posted on March 20, 2017 at 21:16:20
John Elison
Audiophile

Posts: 23900
Location: Central Kentucky
Joined: December 20, 2000
Contributor
  Since: January 29, 2004
 It's a shame they decided to increase the original price of $3500. It's a very nice looking turntable but it's not expensive to manufacture. After all, it doesn't even have electrically switchable speed or electrically adjustable speed. Technics makes a turntable with quartz locked direct-drive and electrically switchable speeds of 78-rpm, 45-rpm and 33-rpm complete with tonearm for $4000 or even less. At least one inmate who owns both likes his Technics SL-1200G better.

Go figure!
John Elison

 

Agree. VPI is the Howard Johnson's of turntable makers, posted on March 20, 2017 at 11:04:12
Lew
Audiophile

Posts: 10912
Location: Bethesda, Maryland
Joined: December 11, 2000
 nt

 

Many Thanks!, posted on March 19, 2017 at 17:42:29
Curious
Dealer

Posts: 5878
Joined: April 28, 2010
 I appreciate the business and the kind words. It was great to finally meet you after all these years conversin' on the Asylum. You brought some great records with you the other day. I was very impressed with the Santana album, but absolutely more so with the 1st Pressing Teaser & The Firecat. Best version of a great record I ever heard.

Again, the DL-103D looks dynamite on that arm and I think I'm going to have to try it on the Titan at the shop. Killer match compliance-wise with the 3D arm. The walnut plinth really does look the part, and it's good to see you've got a nice slab of maple under that table too. Please let me know what you think as time goes by. Oh, and try the Herbies mat on the Prime. It may be overdamped, but then again it may not be.

Regards
"Hope is a good thing. Maybe, the best of things. And no good thing ever dies."

 

RE: Many Thanks!, posted on March 20, 2017 at 09:25:39
RJeff
Audiophile

Posts: 1347
Location: Silver Spring, MD
Joined: June 27, 2001
 I drove by that place every day for 7 years (I lived in CH Estates) and never ventured in. (Alas, it was a period of extreme austerity, stereo and otherwise.)
I just looked at the website and now I'm sorry I didn't take the opportunity.

Jeff
"Decaf is for cowards."
Jack Kevorkian

 

Looks great! Congratulations., posted on March 19, 2017 at 11:28:07
wawa2020
Audiophile

Posts: 399
Location: NC
Joined: October 25, 2002
 That is a pretty turntable and from all accounts an amazing value with the 3D arm.

Please let us know your thoughts after you've had time to evaluate the Quintet Black and the Denon 103 in that 3D arm.

 

Will do...nt, posted on March 19, 2017 at 17:06:49
EdAInWestOC
Audiophile

Posts: 6828
Location: Glen Burnie, MD USA
Joined: December 18, 2003
 nt
Life is analog...digital is just samples thereof

 

I see..., posted on March 19, 2017 at 10:02:27
dirtyvinyl
 You didn't use A.S.

Did you experiment with and without?

It's a contentious subject, and Even Harry says no need, but cart makers(SS) say the opposite, along with others.

I can't hear a difference either way.

 

RE: I see..., posted on March 25, 2017 at 19:02:02
SgreenP@MSN.com
Audiophile

Posts: 3538
Joined: April 23, 2007
 Dirty Vinyl: Regarding the use or non use of anti-skate. When evaluating which one is better, to remove a/s from the VPI arm, simply flip over the a/s device which leaves the fishing line slack. Don't listen for a tonal difference...there won't be any. Listen instead for soldity of images...is the solist (when appropriate) squarely centered with space around him/her. You might have to listen awhile, but when you know what you're listening for...its clear not to use a/s. I have heard it almost instantly in equipment that is the highest end, and even in budget equipment, though its much easier to hear in higher level stuff. Before evaluation, check your cartridge setup once again.

 

I had a conversation..., posted on March 19, 2017 at 16:56:24
EdAInWestOC
Audiophile

Posts: 6828
Location: Glen Burnie, MD USA
Joined: December 18, 2003
 With the salesman about the AS. After thinking about the subject I decided to go without it and see how it performs. So far I can't say I am missing anything. I may change my mind somewhere in the future but for now I am fine without the AS.
Life is analog...digital is just samples thereof

 

RE: Zai Gezunt! nt, posted on March 19, 2017 at 09:24:52
kitch29

 

I don't think its a Yiddish table....nt, posted on March 19, 2017 at 17:09:24
EdAInWestOC
Audiophile

Posts: 6828
Location: Glen Burnie, MD USA
Joined: December 18, 2003
 nt
Life is analog...digital is just samples thereof

 

Congrats! Looks great in that walnut. Happy listening. nt, posted on March 19, 2017 at 09:20:02
Rick W
 nt

 

Thanks...nt, posted on March 19, 2017 at 17:02:28
EdAInWestOC
Audiophile

Posts: 6828
Location: Glen Burnie, MD USA
Joined: December 18, 2003
 nt
Life is analog...digital is just samples thereof

 

Very pretty!, posted on March 19, 2017 at 09:04:55
Lew
Audiophile

Posts: 10912
Location: Bethesda, Maryland
Joined: December 11, 2000
 Enjoy it well.
Is the DP62L sitting in its OEM plinth and using a Denon DA307 tonearm or something like it? If so, the plinth and the tonearm would be decidedly a disadvantage vs the VPI plinth and 3D tonearm.

 

The DP-62L..., posted on March 19, 2017 at 16:53:50
EdAInWestOC
Audiophile

Posts: 6828
Location: Glen Burnie, MD USA
Joined: December 18, 2003
 Is in its stock plinth but the table has had upgrades. I had the main bearing replaced by Tubesey (miss him) with a jewel/ceramic bearing. The stock tonearm was replaced by an OEM Rega RB300 w/Incognito wiring and a Michell Technoweight. The Rega tonearm was mounted to the Denon plinth with an acrylic armboard via a Riggle VTAF.

I initially had the electronic lift working when I first replaced the tonearm. That proved more trouble than it was worth and I ditched that lift and added a Q Up end of LP lifter to lift the RB 300 at the end of the LP. I also removed the stock Denon platter mat and replaced it with a Herbies Way Excellent II mat.

The DP-62L sits on a Gingko Cloud 11 isolation platform. I also recapped the DP-62L back in 2010.

The VPI's 3D tonearm is much better than the RB300 and it's implementation of VTA on the fly is a bit more sophisticated.

The VPI extracts more detail and everything is better placed in a wide and stable pin-point sound stage. It makes OK LPs sound a little better but makes great LPs sound amazing.

Ed
Life is analog...digital is just samples thereof

 

RE: My latest toy..., posted on March 19, 2017 at 08:46:42
Waxxy
Audiophile

Posts: 2648
Joined: July 19, 2011
Contributor
  Since: November 22, 2011
 Nice way to offload some cash! I'm surprised that you say its a much better turntable in all respects. I would have thought the Denon could hold it's own.

Either way...enjoy your new toy!

 

The Denon is a good turntable..., posted on March 19, 2017 at 17:01:40
EdAInWestOC
Audiophile

Posts: 6828
Location: Glen Burnie, MD USA
Joined: December 18, 2003
 But it cannot compare to the VPI with its 3D tonearm. The Prime plinth plus the classic platter makes for a very noise immune platform but the 3D tonearm is the songbird on this turntable.

The OEM Rega RB300 tonearm is good but its not in the same league as the VPI 3D.

Ed
Life is analog...digital is just samples thereof

 

RE: My latest toy..., posted on March 19, 2017 at 08:40:46
dirtyvinyl



Congratulations,

That's the model I will get instead of the black when I upgrade from my Classic.

Good looking table. No doubt it sounds fantastic.

Enjoy!

 

Yes it does...and thanks nt, posted on March 19, 2017 at 16:57:18
EdAInWestOC
Audiophile

Posts: 6828
Location: Glen Burnie, MD USA
Joined: December 18, 2003
 nt
Life is analog...digital is just samples thereof

 

RE: My latest toy..., posted on March 19, 2017 at 10:55:06
raya
Industry Professional

Posts: 662
Joined: May 9, 2014
 Enjoy the ride.

 

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