Upgrade for Vpi aries table

It would have to be the platter/bearing. Sonically this would give you the biggest improvement as the newer inverted bearing/acrylic platter is a big jump over the old bearing. Moreover, it has a provision to further upgrade by way of the outer ring which will improve your sonics to another level. While at it change to the HR-X record weight with the ring. The SDS is essential but I would put it last. It will not give you the same sonic improvement the platter/bearing and outer ring/HR-X record weight would.

I have an Aries and have in the past pondered the same question, but I have a good friend with a TNT who has tried both, and have benefitted from his experience.

The acrylic platter and outer ring combo yield a more neutral sound than the cork/lead/acrylic platter, and the bearing on the former is quieter. The older platter, however, is warmer and some may prefer its sound in certain systems.

In short, the acrylic platter / outer ring combo are not necessarily better, just different.

If you are still using the original noisy motor, I would upgrade that to the 300 rpm motor first. IMHO, for $150, it is the most cost effective upgrade for Aries.

The dealer told me the motor upgrade cost 695.00. Where do you get it for 150.00.

Gmuffley - Are you sure the new plattler doesn't weigh as much or more than the original? Just going from memory, which is dangerous, but I thought I remembered the new one feeling heavier. Perhaps this was only with the ring clamp installed.
Taters - The way I went was SDS then Platter & ring, Am still running the stock motor and plan to keep it. As all three tweaks are designed to do the same thing but in a different way (provide the most consistent speed possible) I suspect that whichever change you decide to make first will be the one that provides the most significant improvement.
Raquel - I wonder if some of the warmer sound you mentioned is related to the new versus old center weight/screw arrangement. When I bought the new center weight VPI told me to keep the old one as it sounds warmer and some may prefer it.