VPI Fatboys versus others in its' tonearm weight class.

@laynes, 

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.

@skyscraper 

So what was the outcome ? Did it ever show up ? Review ? Thanks 

Agreed, an update here would be nice.