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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
mijostyn's avatar
mijostyn
8,570 posts
 
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. 
clearthink
1,421 posts
 
"
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!
Ag insider logo xs@2x
edwyun
244 posts
 
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.
neonknight OP
398 posts
 
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
melm
1,084 posts
 
@neonknight If you use the centering disk it should go on perfectly. There should be no "offset." I do it every day with my TTW ring. Did you watch Wayne’s video?

@edwyun Phoenix Roadrunner and Eagle is unobtanium. No longer made. Those who have them are not selling. Only way to get similar performance is the buy the motor combo from Sota.


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