VPI Aries vs. VPI TNT III

I have owned both these tables in various applications. The TNT has the capacity to sound better if its considerable variables are attended to regularly, which I might add is a major undertaking. The Aries' utter simplicity of design and carefree maintainence often resulted in a clearly superior sound when compared to the TNT in most real world applications. Just something to consider.

Beavis, sorry, hope my response wasn't too obnxious. What were you going to say?

Khrys, I wasn't aware the TNT had considerable variables which require regular attention. I'm lucky if I get an hour to an hour and a half a week to listen to the system and don't want to spend any more time than necessary tweeking it,(which is why I decided against a Lynn). What is required to keep the TNT sounding better than the Aires?

Martin, I found the spring towers on the TNT loosened up regularly requiring frequent level adjustments. My dealer even came out once to adjust the springs. Also I found the tension on the pullies from motor to platter and flywheel seemed to slacken frequently requiring adjustment. The TNT is a bear to keep clean and dust free. I also seemed to need to adjust the arm (Graham 1.5) more frequntly. And the space requirement of the TNT made it much more susceptible to bumps from errant arms (human). All I can say is that I was constantly fiddling with the TNT (maybe because I could?) whereas the Aries just sat there and always sounded great.

Khrys, I appreciate the info. I didn't realize the TNT required that kind of attention.

MY TNT 3.5 (SME V arm) has never gone out of adjustment once I have set it. I have checked it at several month intervals over four years of use. Not once did I need to re-level the TNT or readjust the SME. Weird that my experience is so different from others in this regard.
The only part that I have had to be somewhat careful about is the tri-pulley unit sometimes moves if I have changed tone-arm cable or something. I have caused the pulley unit to shift (or the base to shift) in these cases; so, I don't consider this a TNT problem at all. Besides, a slight nudge of the pulley unit probably does nothing to hinder performance--unless the pulley shafts touch the TNT base, of course.
I find the TNT reassuringly stable and simple to use.