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Upgrading from a VPI Aries 1- is it worth it?

Hello all,
I have a VPI Aries 1 with "bear paws" feet and a separate flywheel.  I recently took it to VPI for tune-up and upgraded the cable junction box to a current one.  Overall, the table sounds much better now.  I was using a Lyra Delos but I got the opportunity to buy an Etna Lamda at an extremely favorable price and have since be using that.  I am very pleased to say that the Aries was up to the task of showing what an uprgrade the Etna is over the Delos (which is nonetheless a wonderful cart).  That said, I have been wondering if upgrading from the Aries would be worth it to get the most out of the Etna (or similar).   I am by no means sold on upgrading the turntable also because I wonder how much I would have to spend to get a meaningful improvement- in part because I have not owned other decks so my experience is limited. Hence, I thought I would ask for some thoughts from those that have much more experience than I do.  As a phono preamp I am using the PS audio Stellar.

I should also add that unfortunately I have suspended wooden floors so the set-up is not ideal though not terrible if one is careful not to stomp around while playing music- which I do not.  I cannot get a wall bracket so I have toyed with the idea that with a lighter table I could suspend a platform from the ceiling- but this would almost immediately be accompanied by being served with divorce papers so this remains a remote possibility.
 

pgastone
tablejockey
3,941 posts
 

You could adapt a "better" non VPI arm or get the VPI gimbal which is pretty much a drop in mod to optimize that Lyra. Also, upgrade to a "better" phono stage.

Or if it was me, I'd just sit back and enjoy the setup.

"Better" in audiophool land is really just continuously emptying your wallet.

VPI user here.

theflattire
210 posts
 

I would upgrade the phono stage.

I use a Modwright PH9.0XT with my Prime.

 

audibleguy
157 posts
 

I am an owner of a VPI Aries Series 1 table and have made numerous "mods"/"upgrades" to it over the years. New belt, VPI reference 40 feet, VPI SS clamp, SME arm with SME internal wiring and tonearm cable. Was going to sell it but talked to the VPI folks (Harry and son Matt) and they said it was one of the best tables they ever made and if they had to make it today it would be priced in the $10K to $12K range just due to all the materials they used in its construction and assembly. So needless to say I kept it and did the upgrades, well worth it.

mulveling's avatar
mulveling
1,959 posts
 

The Aries is still a lovely table (I have an Aries 3). Get a Fatboy unipivot or gimbal with the VTA tower and it’s a high-end deck IMO. I have both and like both, though probably prefer the unipivot w/ dual pivot a bit more. They’re a bit pricey, but maybe a used one pops up.

Your Aries will perform very well, even in that floor, if you can simply brace your rack against the wall. I used a foam Auralex tile wedged tight in there. Simple, cheap, reversible - and extremely effective! No more worries about the stylus popping out of the groove, flapping my woofers around, or pushing the amp into clipping. Add some HW-40 feet to tame the ~ 100Hz "drum" resonance these tables are susceptible to. BOOM - super awesome table :)

pgastone OP
79 posts
 

Thank you for your thoughts.

When I brought the table to VPI they also hinted at "they don't make them like they used to" kind of thing.  They were also impressed with the condition of the table considering the age.  So we did discuss potentially upgrading the tonearm but I was caught a little off guard by the cost of the upgrade- a new 3D is $2k and the tower is another $1.5k- and then there's labor.  So call it a $4k+ proposition; and the Fabboy alone is $4.5k.  So that is when I started wondering if newer table (used) att some point down the line would make more sense.

But from the sounds of it it does seem that upgrading Ares 1 parts might be a better proposition.
@audibleguy 
Was it complicated to get the SME installed- did VPI do it?  You sound very pleased with this new combination.

Do any of you have any thoughts on other tonearms  that would work well with the Aries outside the VPI line-up?

@mulveliing
Thanks for the suggestions- Unfortunately I cant brace the rack to the wall because of some artwork that extends right behind it - but I will look into upgrading the feet.

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