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VPI Fatboys versus others in its' tonearm weight class.

In their never ending quest to push fiscally responsible audiophiles into bankruptcy, site members have succeeded in making me consider a new gimbaled tonearm to keep a Lyra Kleos company on a VPI Classic 2 turntable. Dover, on my previous thread, pointed out most other tonearm options would be limited on the Classic 2 short of major surgery to it. So here I am considering keeping the tonearm upgrade in the VPI family. Their gimbaled Fatboy, will readily fit onto the VPI Classic 2’s tonearm base without any fuss.

Here’s my question after reading up on the Fatboy. How does the Fatboy compare with other tonearms in it’s $4500 price range? Is it about average in that class, which would be acceptable, or is it much better or worse than its’ peers?. If you.ve had any chance to compare the Fatboy with other tonearms in the same price range, what is your impression? I don’t want to spend that much money on one if the consensus is that it’s at the bottom of its class, which hopefully it isn’t.

I haven’t had an opportunity to listen to one, or any other tonearm as expensive. I would likely need to arrange a two day road trip to accomplish that. In lieu, I’m soliciting your impressions as to whether the Fatboy is worth that much compared to others in it’s price range. I guessing it will be okay, but don’t want to spend $4500 if the consensus is it’s at the bottom of its’ class just because it fits easily on my turntable. So what do you think? I’m all ears.

I’m not looking here for alternative solutions to a Fatboy. That was the topic of my recent thread, I’m only soliciting your impressions of the Fatboy compared to other similarly priced tonearms, and why I should or shouldn’t take a chance on it. Thanks all,

Mike

skyscraper
chowkwan
167 posts
 

There is more variation between cartridges than between arms so you're better off putting yr money into trying a different cartridge. 

 

I have a VPI TNT 1 with 9" JMW Memorial arm. Then Upscale got me with a sale on the VPI Avenger with printed arm. This was the top arm a few years ago. Two decades of turntable evolution and I couldn't hear any difference using a Benz LP. Much bigger improvement switching from the LP to a Gullwing. There is no body like no body. The Gullwing combined the ethereal transparency of the Clearaudio Goldfinger with the rich sound of the LP. The best of both worlds - and cheaper!

*  Lumi and Manley Steelhead phono stages.

No experience with Fatboy or Lyra but my datapoint chimes with what another poster said about VPI having a house sound.

Also have a Clearaudio Panzer with Universal and TT5 arms. And a Versa 1.2. In my observation more variation between cartridges than arm/turntable.

noromance's avatar
noromance
9,829 posts
 

It looks like you're moving two items at the same time—the arm and the cartridge. You'll never know what component is making the most significant improvement. Not best practice.

skyscraper OP
830 posts
 

Noromance, you’re no doubt correct, but it shouldn’t make much difference in my case knowing to know which is doing what, as it’s highly doubtful I’ll ever be upgrading these components again. I’m just hoping together they make a significant improvement, that is if the Lyra Kleos ever comes in from Japan to actually find out.

I’ve been waiting 4-1/2 months now for delivery. Anybody else order one of these and had to wait so long? I found one comment online about someone waiting six months for another Lyra cartridge. This is definitely trying my nonexistent patience.

Mike

noromance's avatar
noromance
9,829 posts
 

Hi Mike @skyscraper Either way, best of luck. Report back when you're sorted.

skyscraper OP
830 posts
 

Will do. Thanks,

Mike

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