Pro-Ject Xpression & Debut Modifictions....read

I've owned a new Pro-ject Xpression tuntable for about a year now and have to share some mods i've done to it..the sound i'm getting now is very similar to a friends VPI Aries table. These cheap new Pro-ject turntables can be hotrodded easily and cheaply to perform amazing. A photo would do this better justice but here it is:

Spend $60 and get a set of Mapleshade Records Heavyfeet footers (money back guarantee). REMOVE the stock rubber feet on your table and also the posts to hold the dust cover and be amazed at the clarity and bass. The feet and post add vibration & the brass footers take it away from the table leaving clean, clear music.

REMOVE the anti-skating weight & string and listen to music...if shocked then use a tweezers to gently unscrew the nub that the weight attaches to on the tonearm...then if shocked carefully unscrew the armboard mount screw and carefully remove the metal piece that supported the anti-skating weight...this may require needle nose pliers and patience...dont unscrwe that scrwe moer than 6 or 7 times.

Now, you think you've got something special but just hold on....spend another $60 (money back guarantee again) and buy the Marigo VTS Tonearm Damping Kit and follow the instructions. This really makes all the difference in the world EXCEPT its tough to hear the benefits until you've stripped your table of feet, posts and anti-skating...which all muddy sound tremendously. This Marigo tweak locks in 3-D sound, huge live bass and killer mids and highs...quite a shocker.

last, and this is the only permanent modification, is to have a qualified shop install Eichmann Bullet Plugs on the RCA's...and while that is going on have them carefully strip away the stock rubber cable insulation from the left and right RCA's (black & red) just up to the armboard or 2" before and immediately replace with a much thinner shrinkwrap (thick insulation smears the signal BIGTIME). Also, use WTB Silver Solder for the Eichmann's. At the same time use your other 2 Eichmann plugs and re-plug your ipod cable (use WTB solder again).

the total for this modification is about $220 and I have a new Grado Gold cartridge and my TT modded up this way sounds absolutely amazing given the $ i've spent.

the turntables we own are quite good, but they don't come that way in stock form unfortuneatly. As long as your tonearm is balanced the lack of anti-skating should not be an issue. If you do not want new RCA plugs, at least make certain the rca's and ground are always separated...never running parallel.

i'd like to hear other folks opinions.