I’ve owned four VPI tables (two currently), but all without VPI arms. I’ve had a few uni-pivots and a Well Tempered, but just don’t like their "feel". The VPI platter spindle/bearing is machined to pretty high tolerances (no play/slop), as are their really good platters. Steve, I have a spare Zeta if you want to try a classic. ;-)
I finally get it!
I had a long discourse with VPI after I bought my new Classic 3 Sig SE years ago. The subject was that the S2P distance was off. After over one year of trying to get this resolved, I still received my tt back with this distance 1 mm (long).
I always wondered why there was no forthcoming measurement of the S2P distance. After all, VPI is know to have customers DIY their own tts, based on VPI's own products.
So, VPI offers their set-up jig with new tts. They don't offer any specific measurements for S2P. Someone had to ask on their forums in order to find out. Why?
I now know why. Because, their manufacturing was/is not very precise. So, if their S2P distance was off when the tt left their shop, their own jig (provided) would still keep the S2P distance in a (good enough) range.
Nice try/trick.
I always wondered why there was no forthcoming measurement of the S2P distance. After all, VPI is know to have customers DIY their own tts, based on VPI's own products.
So, VPI offers their set-up jig with new tts. They don't offer any specific measurements for S2P. Someone had to ask on their forums in order to find out. Why?
I now know why. Because, their manufacturing was/is not very precise. So, if their S2P distance was off when the tt left their shop, their own jig (provided) would still keep the S2P distance in a (good enough) range.
Nice try/trick.
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- 34 posts total
slaw- VPI has their metal work done by MDI, a very competent machine shop in NJ, so I don't think it is machining tolerances. VPI assembles the parts, made by other companies for them, so it may be an assembly error. From what I can tell, part of the problem is HW never put much importance on S2P measurements: https://www.audioasylum.com/cgi/t.mpl?f=vinyl&m=1122027 This is a strange position to take for a turntable mfr, but it might explain a lot. IMHO, HW doesn't really understand tonearm geometry. He has touted a 14" tonearm with no offset and claims it has no skating force and two null points; both assertions are incorrect (the math to prove this is trivial). He posted that he discovered the benefits of no headshell offset by twisting the cartridge on an overhung tonearm with offset until the cantilever was aligned with the arm tube and the sound was "jaw-dropping". I think the only thing that would be jaw-dropping would be the distortion as the tracking error would be ~17° and the distortion would be approaching 20%. |
The Spindle to pivot distance is specific to the arm being used. What you complain of is typical of VPI's tolerances. You would be best served by replacing that arm with something like an Origin Live arm. The platter and bearing are fine (VPI does not make them.) Isolation of the plinth is not good but you can deal with that by putting a sprung platform under it. VPIs best product is their DD table with a gimbal bearing Fat Boy. |
- 34 posts total