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VPI JMW 12.5 counterweight upgrade

Adjusting the azimuth on the VPI with the off-set counter weight is challenging: altering the azimuth often shifts the weight along the shaft and alters the VTA. I found a reasonably priced counter weight replacement that allows for relatively easy setting of VTA and azimuth, independently. I also discovered a sonic improvement over the VPI counter weight.

The product is manufactured and designed by an engineer in the UK. It seems that he designed his initial counter weight for the Hadcock tonearm and expanded to other unipivot arms. His product is on Ebay and is called the XTCW.
redglobe
stringreen's avatar
stringreen
6,468 posts
 
The VPI arms now have a lowered counterweight as you describe.
redglobe OP
223 posts
 
Dear Stringreen,

I had VPI's drop-style counter weight, as mentioned in my original thread. The XTCW has a much lower center of gravity. It provides greater stability and sonic performance than the VPI counter weight.
redglobe OP
223 posts
 
In response to Stringreen: As I mentioned in my original thread, I used the drop-style VPI counter weight. However, the XTCW has a lower center of gravity, provides greater stability, and better sonic performance to the VPI counter weight.
stringreen's avatar
stringreen
6,468 posts
 
Redglobe...have you really tried using this XTC arm and compared it you the VPI?? I am using the 10.5i with a Benz Ebony LPS, and find the performance stunning. Never a tracking problem...big, wide and deep soundstage, etc.
sarcher30
596 posts
 
I looked it up on ebay. It certainly looks like it would be more stable. Although they are not very apealling visually. I did not see the one for a VPI arm but got the idea of what they look like.
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