Good, better, best. VPI Classic 1 accessories and upgrades.

Now I really wish I hadn't sold off my Eden Brass!! I think that the SDS is scrubbed given the speed stability and the new table's even improved stability. The periphery ring, center weight and good isolation look like the triumvirate. A new arm maybe down the road....that ET looks pretty insane, flying in the "classic" face in a good kind of retro industrial precision way. And, some cartridge experiments to have some fun with along the way. I'll post follow ups as it comes together.....MUCHOS GRACIAS AMIGOS!

I've been running a VPI SSM Reference since 2011 and have been tweaking things ever since. Your new TT is capable of a lot better sound and there are some things that really can make a difference:

1. Don't mourn the loss of your bear-paws. Take another look at the Eden Sound galleries on their web-site and look at their combination of Eden Stone and brass called TerraCones. There are several shots of them mounted on VPI tables. The combination of materials is better than either one alone. Also, they make it easy to level the TT and cost about the same as a set of VPI HRX feet.

2. The SDS can be had for about $800 used. The Falcon is onl a fraction of that new. If you hunt down Harry's blog on the VPI website, there is a thread there where HW discusses a shooutout he did when comparing the two.

3. Think about a new or used record mat. The Boston 2 mat I bought did wonders for my set up and there are probably better ones out there used.

4. Counterintuitive makes azimuth setting easy.

5. Don't be too quick to damp the arm. I recommend no damping at all unless you have a specific problem that may be helped by damping, and then, only add a small increment at a time and let it settle in for a few hours before doing any more critical listening.

6. Record clamp and weight - These seem to be up to around a thousand bucks new. You might actually do better for a lot less by looking at the sales from TTW from time to time.

7. Avoid buying a VPI phono interconnect. They rob the music of more detail and high frequency extension than any cable I have tried in that role.

8. Get a good digital scale that is capable of measuring to .001 grams. When your system is tweaked enough, you will easily be able to notice extremely small changes in VTF and the extra resolution of the scale will be important.

We have record clamps that seriously out perform VPI rings and fit all VPI tables, we have mats, rings and center weights
www.ttweights.com
Save a lot of money and get superb quality products..

The first change you should make is to eliminate the 4 VPI feet in exchange for Bearpaws (Vermontaudio.com) Then consider your other changes after hearing what Bearpaws do.

Thank you, Mcbuddah, for all the thoughtful advice from your long experience. It jives very well with all I've read. I have worked a lot with Dan at edenSound and have a variety of his incredibly effective and beautifully crafted and machined footers under a lot of my gear and plinths. The terracones are at the base of my speaker stands...and look great there as they will under my table! The new threaded feet on them look great for leveling the table.

All: And a big thank you shout out to you, too!

The Soundsmith is a must and I'm aware of the Falcon/Phoenix, but have read that the Classics stability is such that it doesn't benefit as much from those devices as other VPI series' might.

I have a narrow window on a great line for VPI gear and accessories so I am going to pick up the clamp and ring there....
Any clue on their mat? How about their Alignment jig? Dropped counterweight?

Soundsmith is actually nearby my home and on the way to VPI....I have a lag minute chance to change my order from the Classic 1 to the Companion. Any thoughts on that set up/arm? The azimuth on the fly looks like more than I care to deal with now...but might want to in the future?

Thanks again and remember to enjoy the tunes!!