2. analog
  3. 160544-77544

vpi classic

First hello everyone ,I've been away awhile .

      I'm interested in upgrading my cartridge a Benz micro mc, my system is a moderate system by gon standard.
VPI classic jmw memorial arm ,Acoustic Zen adagios, Sunfire subs ,Nu Vista integrated, Musical Fidelity phono amp mc or mc with multiple mc settings . Acoustic Zen cables and speaker cables in a  acoustically treated dedicated room (16'x24' x10') .with more digital gear, but  this is my analog section.

      I am willing to spend up to say $1,500 ,but much to many here's discomfort I would spend up to say grand on a used cartridge from a solid gon member . I know so many here swap them like tic tacs . I know the routine of fears with buying used , that said I have made some great scores here. I'm looking for weight compatabilty ,sound and overall performance for the money.

Thank you all
Ray

oleschool
sokogear
1,120 posts
 
@big_greg According to my new MC One special factory signed box, the output is .75. The MC Two must be a really old model-I don’t remember it ever being mentioned or offered in the past 9 years. I am sure it’s excellent. In the US, they are trying to keep the number of models offered lower than in the Netherlands. If you check VDH’s web site you’ll see all kinds of models not shown on US web sites. With the replacement or maintenance costs being so low, I don’t see switching From the MC One Special (unless they give me an insane deal on the Frog) which I doubt. That offer this time only took the $$ discount from my cart off the $3500 Frog price tag-so it was well north of $2K. Frog is the next step up from my cart.

since I am not a multi table/arm/cart guy. I beleive in KISS. When I was younger in college,I changed gear constantly and was never happy. Fuses blew, amps clipped, stereo salesmen lied, (they are gone). When I found components that were excellent, I stuck with them. Every move had to be a noticeable improvement to my ears, not a spec on a web site.

since I’m listening more, my stylus may only last 4-5 years, another reason not to go crazy with cartridges-they’re disposable.
big_greg
6,724 posts
 
@sokogear I bought the MC Two for $500, used. When it arrived, there was no diamond on the cantilever. The seller gave me a full refund and said they didn't want it back.  I sent it off to have it rebuilt. The rebuild was $500. It ended up being one of my better bargains. I do have a small stable of cartridges but they are all mounted on head shells and I use them on my Technics SL 1200 Mark II. The only cartridge I've used on my VPI classic so far is my kiseki blue NS.
sokogear
1,120 posts
 
Nice deal @big_greg. Sounds like you are a tweaker. Who did the maintenance? The reason I got a replacement was the cost/shipping delays to the Netherlands from the US, the deal I got, and the fact that AJ wouldn’t do the maintenance himself.
big_greg
6,724 posts
 
Supposedly AJ himself did it. I only say supposedly because it was a different US distributor at the time I had it done and he was a little sketchy.
sokogear
1,120 posts
 
That’s why they switched distributors I am sure. VPI (even though I have a Rega table) was a pleasure to deal with. They’re the new one and have a close relationship with AJ. I guess all VPI dealers are now Van den Hul Dealers. I’m lucky to live an hour from them and they set up the new cartridge on my P8. One of their guys thought my table was cool.they gave me a tour of the place and their unbelievable demo house. If I ever get the itch to consider one of their tables, they offered to compare it side by side with mine using the same cartridge. 
I’m just not a fan of their arms. Their tables are fine as they actually started out as a company making bases for Denon tables, so their tables are very solid.
More to discover