Brand new VPI Prime 21 or used Clearaudio Innovation compact

Hi Mat,
thanks for clarifying and getting back to me, I am very unsatisfied with the support I have received so far without any suggestions or direction.

I purchased a brand new VPI Prime 21 Turntable around 3 months ago and contacted VPI customer support with legit question and basic need in Turntable setup

My original question as below:

”Dear VPI,I have VPI Prime 21 and Benz Micro LP-S cartridge which is 16.4g
I contacted VPI distributor in Autralia to buy new counter weight and got 200g as per advice, but they are too heavy. Can u advise suitable counter weight for benz lp-2 which is 16.4g?Thanks,Kevin”

below is response,
“You do not need a drop counterweight on Gimbal tonearms. We would suggest not having one as if you put too much weight on the bearings it could break the arm.”

“The counterweights are sold as add ons to Unipivot arms. They aren’t suggested for Gimbal arms because they can put too much weight on the bearings, causing them to break.


So I am really lost and assumed VPI Prime 21 has limited design without any warning on cartridge weight support anywhere, I am sure Benz Micro LPS is quite common and popular cartridge

@ikev20, VPI has its own forum.  VPI staff use to answer posts but rarely visit their own forum anymore, however, there are quite a few very knowledgeable members who can help.  A few members know more about VPI tables than the VPI staff who are constantly turning over. 

ikev20  

Put your current weight in the middle of the adjusting range, then add washers until its balanced, then add the weight of the washers and the current counter weight's weight together and you have the weight needed for your cart. you'll have some flexibility in variances because you measured in the middle of the travel range so getting one close should be close enough. 

My thinking is a turntable manufacturer cannot know about every cart on the market. so do the leg work your self and get what you need. 

I just ordered a Prime 21 as well and have a very light cart (Early VDH) I'm hoping will work if not I'll be buying one that matches the compliance of the arm.