Thanks Antin. I had see the first link but not the second. I have now added a Fatboy to my "list". Maybe someday I'll upgrade my Prime Signature but I'm pretty happy with it for the most part and hope to be more so after the Fatboy. I'm thinking the next step up will be a significant increase in $$$, no matter which brand it is.
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
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With your VPI Prime Signature if you do not have speed control of the motor that is still an option. Most people think the older VPI SDS is better than the current ADS, and VPI has discussed a better version of the ADS for the future, but the cost may be prohibitive if it ever arrives. With speed control and the new pulley One Speed Pulley (For Use With ADS) – VPI Industries. you can run 2-3 belts all providing better speed control. If you decide on an SDS wait for one with serial numbers in the 3000 series - these will be the later (newer) versions. I have not seen any SDS serial numbers above the 3900-series. Alternatively, you can have SOTA modify the motor pod to operate with their motor and controller - Total Eclipse Package – Sota Turntables. The general consensus is that the SOTA is the better motor and its controller is the old Phoenix Engineering's Falcon PSU and Roadrunner Tachometer | Analog Planet. VPI has been 'threatening' to manufacture a better motor for many years but nothing as of yet. I run the SDS and two belts and for now I am content with the performance. Beyond motor speed control, the other upgrades can get pretty expensive: -The single-motor flywheel $1.5K Single Motor Flywheel – VPI Industries. -The Avenger pneumatic feet four for $4.45K, Avenger Pneumatic Feet – VPI Industries - if you floor vibration problems. But at this price, other options to solve floor vibration problems are available. - There is the (I think its ~$7K) 25-lb magnetic drive plater - it should fit the Prime Signature just check with VPI but at this point a new table 'may' be a better option. The benefit of the VPI tables is the ability to incrementally upgrade the table. |
Wow, thanks @antinn . I don't know how good or not good the Prime Signature feet are but they seem very good. However, if I feel the need for further isolation (or is that decoupling?) then I'd likely purchase a platform from Townshend. I have that on my list anyway but is not a priority. As far as speed control - I'm a bit of a newbie (but not new - 19 mos in this hobby) and haven't read up on this and how it affects sound. I cannot hear my records fluctuatiing speed-wise..........or maybe I am. Hmm, will take a closer look at this. I like the idea of hot rodding the table a piece at a time though. Thanks again. |
I finally ordered and installed /setup a 10" gimbal FB for my Prime Signature from the JMW 10" 3D Unipivot. I did a quick and easy setup so still have to fine-tune but is about 99% there (I know that 1% can be huge). Inital thoughts are as follows from in headphones only so far (Focal Stellia), Even in closed back HPs, the amount of space around the instruments and imaging is mind blowing. Low end is more full. I read a comment once that it sounded like "more meat on the bones" and I agree with that. One area that I'm still coming to grips with and may improve once I dial in that last 1% and the tonearm wire burns in is: I listen mostly to classic rock and like my lead electric guitar to sound "searing" - will cut right into you. The gimbal FB has a little less grit / edginess. I also heard this in the keyboards in another (Crazy Diamond) and horns in Savory Truffle. I'm hoping this improves but am thinking this is from going from unipivot to gimbal. I'll update again once I have more time with it and dial it in further. |
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