Upgrade for Vpi aries table

SDS first will give you the biggest bang for your upgrade dollar. The ring is great but having to replace the platter makes it a pricey upgrade.

I agree with Narrod. The SDS was a nice improvement to my original Aries. I considered upgrading to the new platter and bearing, but when I saw how light the white acrylic platter is compared to the original Aries platter, I lost all interest in that upgrade. I'll stick with what I have.

It would have to be the platter/bearing. Sonically this would give you the biggest improvement as the newer inverted bearing/acrylic platter is a big jump over the old bearing. Moreover, it has a provision to further upgrade by way of the outer ring which will improve your sonics to another level. While at it change to the HR-X record weight with the ring. The SDS is essential but I would put it last. It will not give you the same sonic improvement the platter/bearing and outer ring/HR-X record weight would.

I have an Aries and have in the past pondered the same question, but I have a good friend with a TNT who has tried both, and have benefitted from his experience.

The acrylic platter and outer ring combo yield a more neutral sound than the cork/lead/acrylic platter, and the bearing on the former is quieter. The older platter, however, is warmer and some may prefer its sound in certain systems.

In short, the acrylic platter / outer ring combo are not necessarily better, just different.

If you are still using the original noisy motor, I would upgrade that to the 300 rpm motor first. IMHO, for $150, it is the most cost effective upgrade for Aries.