New VPI purchase


I just purchased a VPI Prime Signature 21. This is my first VPI, is there anything I need to know before I start setting it up? I will be using an Ortofon Cadenza Bronze cart. 

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Did you get the uni-pivot arm or the Gimbal. The Gimbal is much easer to setup or so I am told. I have owned VPI since the 90s you will love it. Don't be too quick to judge the sound that cartridge takes awhile to break in.

 

Have fun

I have an oldie but goody...a Superscoutmaster...that I upgraded with Classic platter, Rim Drive, new VPI 3D arm, 2nd pivot.....and so it goes.

I have an oldie but goody...a Superscoutmaster...that I upgraded with Classic platter, Rim Drive, new VPI 3D arm, 2nd pivot.....and so it goes.

Hello,

Great choices, Especially if it is the Fatboy and not the standard tonearm. Most important: be in a good state of mind and very comfortable. Leave the stylus guard on until you are ready to set the VTA/ VTF. I know if you balance the weight and take the stylus guard off the tonearm will go up. It’s better than crashing down and crushing the cantilever. Just leave on the stylus guard while making the wired connections to the cartridge. The great thing is that cart goes great with that table. Also, it has a replicant stylus so it is a little more forgiving and has a great detailed sound with a warm touch. 
If you have a ball bearing use it to level the table/ platter. It works way better than a level because the ball bearing rolls to the low side. 
these do have anti-skate. Most people don’t use it and give the tonearm cable a twist and call it a day. I am very picky when setting up tt. I use the Ortifon record to help nail down the anti-skate. 
To break in the cartridge let it rest on a record for two days straight. Then 10-20 hours of play and you are good to go. If you don’t have a way to keep people and pets from touching the turntable while the stylus is sitting on the record for two days then just play some records. This break-in methods is from Ortofon not me. I did just do this with my ne cart and it worked very well. 
last but not least: NO LIQUIDS ON THE STYLUS AND NO GEL OR GOO PADS. 

Sorry for yelling but that is a $3k cart. If you use those and something happens to the cart Ortofon will know. Very carfully dry brush with the included brush BACK TO FRONT. If you don’t feel comfortable then don’t touch it. When you do clean the stylus Mack sure the tonearm is not locked down. I know this sounds counter intuitive. If you lock down the tonearm you are more likely to crush or put to much weight on the cantilever. 
You will be fine with the tools provided by VPI with that stylus. I have saw the owner Matt setup the Fatboy in 5 minutes at AXPONA. When you get better tools and more comfortable you can get super picky. 
Please take your time. It’s well wort it in the end. 
I hope this helps. 
 

Great tt !!! The only thing I would change is weird tonarm wiring with that strange not necessary connector. I really don’t understand why to have extra barrier on signal path in form of that connector !?