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

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!!

Alrighty, then!
Here's what has arrived or is on the way:

Classic 1, black oak
Soundsmith Zephyr cartridge
Soundsmith Counter intuitive
HRX center wt.
VPI Peripheral ring
Dust Cover
KCI Silkworm IC's (hope they're long enough!)

To be ordered shortly:
EdenSound terracone VPI Classic feet (new product per Dan, now available!)

*Record mat...lots out there and the DIY projects look oretty good:
http://www.tnt-audio.com/clinica/januse.html

TTW has a couple of nice looking ones and (of course) the more expensive one looks best...Any more direction/suggestions would be appreciated?

Not in a hurry for the SDS or Falcon give the new Classic 1's stability.

LAST THING (for the moment....) is there specific gauge wire or connectors to use for grounding?

Thanks again!

Ground wire suggestion
Don't get caught up in audiophoolery.
Use that length of wire from your drawer of " stuff"

Budburma ... good call. Enjoy.

No problem...wasn't really looking for audio advice as much as electrical. If it doesn't matter within reason, all the better!