Maximizing VPI Prime Performance


My good table is a Sota Cosmos VI with SME V and Transfiguration Proteus cartridge. I happen to have a VPI Prime with HW 40 arm on it for my casual listening table. Currently a ZYX 4D is installed. 

The question is what can be done to the Prime to up its game? I have ordered a Waynes Audio periphery clamp as an experiment to see if I can get close to the vacuum system the Sota has. Honestly looks like a bit of a pain in the butt to use. 

I am considering the Symposium Audio Segue Iso shelf, and the inserts for the Prime feet. 

Are there any other upgrades folks have found beneficial for the table? In a way this one will get more use in terms of hours over the Sota, so getting it to be the best it can would be beneficial. 

Cheers
Mister Pig
neonknight
I use a TTWeights periphery ring (together with an old center weight) much like the Wayne’s because my older VPI has a slightly smaller platter and the VPI ring doesn’t fit. Nevertheless I find it much easier and quicker to use than the screw clamp. It improves the sound in many ways including by adding flywheel to the platter. And it solves many warp issues.

You can also improve the performance by adding the VPI motor flywheel combo. The factory might even sell you the parts without the motor since you already have the motor. You can also add the VPI or other motor controller.

Better still, you can buy the motor, controller and RoadRunner from Sota. See the discussions on this at the VPI Forum.
Mister pig, you'll use the periphery clamp two or three times then give up.
It is just too much of a PITA. It is much more important to have a solid platform under the table than any crazy feet. Your SOTA and SME tables are so stable because they hang from their suspensions, an inherently self stabilizing situation. Putting the suspension under is inherently  unstable.  Other than an upgraded cartridge and arm I really do not think you can do much other than waste money. The SOTA Eclipse package would be fun. Would it really improve the sound? I do not think $1000.00 worth.  You might notice it if you had perfect pitch. I think you would be better off buying music.
If you swallow the acid Millercarbon is on you can get a bunch of those PHT things and really hallucinate. 
"
mijostyn
"
If you swallow the acid Millercarbon is on you can get a bunch of those PHT things and really hallucinate."

It is so sad that so many hear pollute they're minds, brains, and bodies with drugs that destroy they're ability to reason and think clearly!
IME, in no particular order:

1.  The VPI Periphery Ring (which is a lot heavier than the others out there) and HRX center weight.  Noticed darker backgrounds when listening to quiet passages at high overall gain.  Also provides more platter mass for rotational stability and flattens both concave and convex LPs so that the cart doesn't need to use its suspension as much.

2.  Phoenix Roadrunner and Eagle.  Self correcting stability is a wonderful thing.

3.  HW40 feet.  Better definition throughout, especially the bass (not that the VPI is lacking in any way).

4.  Any type of isolation for your situation - wall mount, maple blocks, leadshot filled reservoir, etc.
Chose to return the periphary ring. Unable to position it without off set, which of course puts unwanted force on the sides of the bearing. Back to step one.

Cheers 
Mister Pig