2. analog
  3. 150903-1616

VPI Uni-Pivit Tone Arms

I have owned a few VPI TT with the uni-pivit arm. My current TT is the VPI classic 3 signature. The uni-pivit arm is wearing me out. The arm is always tilted to one side no matter how I adjust it. I also notice that the sharp point in the arm housing has rounded quite a bit. I remember some time ago when I touched it I would get a sharp prick like a pin sticking me. Now i can run my finger across it without worrying. Is this normal?
Has anyone else notice the tilted arm? Mine is tilted to the left and sometimes the ears (the part that sticks out from the arm housing) touches the base of the housing.

But with all this discomfort, the TT still sounds awesome. But I hate those things about the TT that I pointed out. I owned the vpi classic, scout, and scout 2, and they all have those faults I mentioned that bothers me.

What's your experience with the uni-pivit arms?


almandog
tooblue
1,989 posts
 
@mijostyn, I love all the unipivot arms I have owned and still own the 3D Classic arm and a JMW9, simple works best for me and I have no issue with milking the very best from these arms. Are there better? I am sure there are but to what exspense? I do agree with you on the point of no movement in the vertical plane thats why I would not consider the unipivot without a center clamp, BDR/Stillpoint and the periferal ring. Still wondering if this is a 3D or metal arm the OP is having this issue with.
mijostyn's avatar
mijostyn
8,570 posts
 
He did not say but only the arm wand is different. The bearing assembly is the same. 
Sure tooblue you can make them work. Clamps help as you suggest. Staying with more compliant cartridges also helps. Less leverage on the arm. Asymmetrical counterbalance weights also help. But, theoretically at least a captured bearing would be best. How does this effect sound. Know way to know from here. More than likely it would be hard to hear difference. I'm sure Michael Fremer could hear the difference. His hearing is better than mine:)
tooblue
1,989 posts
 
I was addressing the rubbing of the outer weights on what I believe would be the VTA tower as the only thing short of a bent part or drastically maligned setup for this to rub as the 3D weights do screw in and out. I just looked at his system page and see it is a metal arm.
almandog OP
141 posts
 
The Tonearm that I am using is a Metal Tonearm.
I did use a Fosgometer to set it up but I find that an oscilloscope does a better job setting up azimuth.
melm
1,085 posts
 
I am partial to the single bearing arm.  It allows, as does none other, for an effectively friction-less bearing.  When I moved to a 3D arm wand, I discovered that I HAD to change the lower bearing as the old one (with the cup) did not work with the newer arm.  I believe the newer one is made of a more durable material than before.

All that said, and much as I had avoided the dual pivot* because it seemed to be at odds with the idea of the unipivot, I tried it and I like it.  Though it's a contraption, it is one that works and, properly set up--leaving the great bulk of the weight on the original pivot--it is responsive to virtually every problem raised about the single bearing arm.  As a bonus, it makes setting azimuth crazy easy.

*my remaining question about it was resolved by the availability of the ruby ball point.


More to discover