How does the VPI Aries II stand up to current mid priced tables?

VPI had the chance years ago. Harry and the owner/designer of Phoenix Engineering Bill Carlin were in discussions about working together, but it blew up. Carlin is not the diplomatic type, and said some things Harry took offense to. That was the end of their proposed collaboration.

The original Phoenix products are long out of production (I got the last 15 watt Eagle), but Carlin developed the current versions that SOTA are making and marketing. SOTA has worked with many VPI owners, advising them on how to install a SOTA motor into the stock VPI motor pods. That enables the current Phoenix products to be used with VPI tables, with excellent results. Audiogoner @slaw has done the install on his VPI, and is very satisfied. 

I think my first two moves (after living with it as is for a while) will be to replace the feet and the platter. That ought to reap quite an improvement.

@ozzy62 Nice turntable, congratulations!

But about the anti-skate, my Classic SE (3D uni-pivot) sounds best without using any which means no wire twisting or mono line to the counter weight. This is what Harry W. suggests. Also, because my motor has a single speed pulley it came supplied with a SDS and strobe disk. To read the disk speed I hold a pointed object (pencil) over the disk’s markings, no light needed.

Just picked up a set of the footers on audio mart. They’ll be here before the table arrives, lol.

I concur with the others who recommended the Phoenix Engineering stuff. I went for the complete SOTA Eclipse package on my Classic 3 Sig SE. Recently put on a custom length OL belt as well. 

(Note to self, Need to sell my ADS...)