VPI Classic 3 Review (mini review)

Mike

Mike

Audioshark
Staff member
Joined
Apr 2, 2013
Messages
30,260
Location
Sarasota, FL
I listened to a few LP's I knew very well last night and was really enjoying what I heard. The table is lightening quick, ultra quiet and damn gorgeous!

But after a good nights sleep, I decided to reset the stylus rake angle, tracking force, azimuth and arm height. Last night I was 98%.... But this morning I was able to get everything to 100%. Using a fairly high powered magnifying glass, I was able to better see the tip of the diamond on the jig.

Spinning my first record after the resetup and this table/arm/cart is so much more detailed, with a much wider soundstage than my Avid Volvere. Bass is tighter, with much better dynamics, separation and speed. Lightening speed. The Avid/SME was a bit "lazy" sounding laid back. The VPI/Lyra combo is quick and dynamic. The table is just so quiet....I can't believe it. It's a thing of beauty and it sounds as good as it looks.

Setup is definitely not for the faint of heart! I've setup Rega's, Avid and an assortment of other tables and VPI tables are certainly more time consuming and tricky, mainly due to the unipivot arm and the delicate balancing act between tracking force and azimuth. Adjust one and you mess up the other one. Patience is required!

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Mike, I'm so glad the new table is turning out to be everything you wanted and more. I wouldn't know where to start with setting up a new cart. I could see a lot of calls to Jeff being made! What tools do you use?

Do you attribute the sound quality to one particular thing over another, or is it a sum of all the parts kind of thing?

Happy listening! :audiophile:
 
Mike said:
I listened to a few LP's I knew very well last night and was really enjoying what I heard. The table is lightening quick, ultra quiet and damn gorgeous!

I've setup Rega's, Avid and an assortment of other tables and VPI tables are certainly more time consuming and tricky, mainly due to the unipivot arm and the delicate balancing act between tracking force and azimuth. Adjust one and you mess up the other one. Patience is required!
Click to expand...

I am THRILLED for you Mike !!

As to the Unipivot...amen to that..wrestling with the same myself...I am about 96% there but still 1/2db heavier in the right than the left..a combo of azimuth and anti-skate...Jeff says I could use a Fozgometer on mine (or yours) for azimuth which makes it much easier. Not sure I want to spend $300 on that though...

I posted on another board that it appears the better the table, the more particular the dial in but the net result is so much better..so while my older legacy tables might have been easier to dial in, they cannot match the sound I can get...

Congrats and enjoy !!!
 
dlb2 said:
Mike, I'm so glad the new table is turning out to be everything you wanted and more. I wouldn't know where to start with setting up a new cart. I could see a lot of calls to Jeff being made! What tools do you use?

Do you attribute the sound quality to one particular thing over another, or is it a sum of all the parts kind of thing?

Happy listening! :audiophile:
Click to expand...

Thanks! I use a snake light, magnifying glass, index card, tracking force gauge, VPI JIG, etc. nothing fancy.
 
ohbythebay said:
I am THRILLED for you Mike !!

As to the Unipivot...amen to that..wrestling with the same myself...I am about 96% there but still 1/2db heavier in the right than the left..a combo of azimuth and anti-skate...Jeff says I could use a Fozgometer on mine (or yours) for azimuth which makes it much easier. Not sure I want to spend $300 on that though...

I posted on another board that it appears the better the table, the more particular the dial in but the net result is so much better..so while my older legacy tables might have been easier to dial in, they cannot match the sound I can get...

Congrats and enjoy !!!
Click to expand...

Thanks! ;)
 
highEndguy said:
Both of you should get this :
http://www.sound-smith.com/intuitive/index.html

I had it and was more easy to adjust
with it.

And if you want to go all the way , I
Recommend you to get also this:
http://www.sound-smith.com/screwset/index.html


Nelson


Sent from my iPhone
Click to expand...

The Soundsmith Counter “Intuitive”


VPI turntables tonearms:
----------
JMW-9t
JMW-9 Signature
JMW-10.5i
The Classic Arm
JMW-12.7
----------
A "must have" device for VPI owners who have dreamed of a way to easily adjust both tracking force and azimuth ~ without losing one setting while adjusting the other ~ we introduce the Soundsmith "Intuitive".

Now, for the first time ever, its delightfully easy to INDEPENDENTLY adjust your VPI tonearm to the exact tracking force and azimuth for optimal alignment, and to return to that setting easily and quickly. Peak performance done simply. Calibrated scales allow quick tweaking for accurate comparison of different settings.

Each "Intuitive" is carefully hand machined for a precision fit out of a thermally stable, highly damped polymer material, with installed brass weights. Designed to last a lifetime....

Our introductory price, ~ $49.95 plus shipping

Scroll down below for order form. Please contact us if you have any questions.

Kit includes two adhesive scales and attachment weight. (VPI arm weight shown in pictures is not included)
 
Mike...it'll get better with each listen and you'll rediscover your vinyl collection. Congrats my friend you deserve it.

Dave
 
f1 fan said:
Mike...it'll get better with each listen and you'll rediscover your vinyl collection. Congrats my friend you deserve it.

Dave
Click to expand...

Thanks Dave! I am delighted with the sound. Putting in the Kleos cart in a couple of weeks should be the finishing touch to the table. Plus, this table looks like a work of art.
 
Vinyl, tubes and a glass of 21 year old scotch. Life is good (again)! :)
 
So Mike, I know the whole set up is brand spankin' new so it may be a bit difficult to answer this but what do you think of the Delos cart? I guess you'll be able to answer this better once you get the Kleos on there.
 
dlb2 said:
So Mike, I know the whole set up is brand spankin' new so it may be a bit difficult to answer this but what do you think of the Delos cart? I guess you'll be able to answer this better once you get the Kleos on there.
Click to expand...

I bought the Delos off an AS member. My plans for the cartridge changed in the interim, but I'm glad I still bought it (my Kleos is still a couple of weeks away). The Delos cart has me scared! Scared because I'm wondering why did I buy the Kleos? The Delos sounds phenomenal and so dynamic, quiet, fast and smooth. It's a very quiet tracker. Lead in grooves have me cranking the volume - its so quiet. I have been assured by my dealer that the Kleos will trump the Delos handily. I remain skeptical, but hopeful nonetheless - for obvious reasons.

The moderate output is also a welcome change from the rather anemic .28 of the Dynavector. I would have liked to have tried the Dynavector on the lively VPI arm and table - but it's gone to a good home! :)

I'm trying to get as much listening in as I can - to develop a foundation of sound before my new phono stage arrives.
 
Mike said:
I bought the Delos off an AS member. My plans for the cartridge changed in the interim, but I'm glad I still bought it (my Kleos is still a couple of weeks away). The Delos cart has me scared! Scared because I'm wondering why did I buy the Kleos? The Delos sounds phenomenal and so dynamic, quiet, fast and smooth. It's a very quiet tracker. Lead in grooves have me cranking the volume - its so quiet. I have been assured by my dealer that the Kleos will trump the Delos handily. I remain skeptical, but hopeful nonetheless - for obvious reasons.

The moderate output is also a welcome change from the rather anemic .28 of the Dynavector. I would have liked to have tried the Dynavector on the lively VPI arm and table - but it's gone to a good home! :)

I'm trying to get as much listening in as I can - to develop a foundation of sound before my new phono stage arrives.
Click to expand...

Mike...are you going to keep the Delos as a back up?
 
Uwbadger said:
All the talk about TT setup makes one nervous about jumping into the vinyl waters
Click to expand...
Welcome Uwbadger!

I know exactly how you feel! But we have quite a few Analog experts on this forum that will certainly help us get over the hump!:woot:
 
cmalak said:
Mike...are you going to keep the Delos as a back up?
Click to expand...

Once my Kleos arrives, I'm going to ship the Delos to my buddy Mark (MDP) to use while be waits for his new Kleos. Then, I will probably sell it. But given the possibility of damaging a cartridge, maybe a spare isn't such a bad idea!
 
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