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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
almandog OP
141 posts
 
I did the email to VPI, not the forum. 
rollintubes
84 posts
 
I had the very same problem early in my VPI usage. I think it was a Classic 2. The metal tone arms are very heavy and it is easily possible to bump the spike and round it. The arm will then not maintain alignment. A call to Marc at VPI and $40. I had a new spike in two days. Installed it and never had another problem

My Prime Signature has the 3DR tone arm. It's much, much lighter and less prone to damaging the spike.

Rollin
almandog OP
141 posts
 
Rolin:

I agree with you on the spike. Probably that's what happen to me. I have not heard from VPI as yet, so I might give them a call. I am also thinking of getting a new 3D arm, or even move up to the Prime Signature. Other option is to get a McIntosh MT10. I will wait on VPI's response before I make any move.
mijostyn's avatar
mijostyn
8,570 posts
 
Get the 3D gimbal bearing arm. No more spikes. I have an old Syrinx PU-3. I got it new in 1981. It is not on a table at the moment but I used it for over thirty years and it remains as good as new. I keep thinking about getting an arm board for it......
bhd72
11 posts
 
Wow--I'm so sorry to hear of this poster's experience.  I once owned a Classic 3, and I had zero difficulty with the arm or any other part of the table.  After 3 or 4 years of ownership, it still played perfectly and the point was pin-sharp.  Something must be very much out of adjustment and has been used that way for some time.  I now own a Thorens TD-203 that also has a uni-pivot arm.  This one was a bit more difficult to set up but has been trouble-free since.  It's not the big sound and extended frequency sound of my Classic 3 (not even close!) but the arm and cartridge (2M Blue) play above its price-point, and I am quite satisfied.  The last gimbal arm I owned was a Thorens TD-160c and it did not track nearly as well.
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