VPI Classic Series Discontinued 2017

Discussion in 'Vinyl Nutjob World: Turntable and Related Gear' started by Wfojas, Oct 18, 2016.

  1. brencho

    brencho Friend

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    what about just getting the table, ring (and hrx weight that JK47 suggested) but skipping the 2M-Black and just getting a denon 103r which are ~350 new?
     
  2. gaspasser

    gaspasser Flatulence Maestro

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    Walnut table, I am still debating with the "do I need it" since I have a Project Debut Carbon...
     
  3. Wfojas

    Wfojas Friend

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    I would get the periphery ring for sure. Just make sure there are no kinks it it, that price is lower than market.
     
  4. Dino

    Dino Friend

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    I never heard about kinks in the periphery ring, @Wfojas . Do you know how they come about?
     
  5. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    1. Slight difference in sound between Delrin screw on and HRX weight. I prefer the HRX weight and another machined aluminum weight to the Delrin with my current setup. The Derlin screw on weight works good with 2M Black. It has a more damped character that synergizes with the 2M Black's upward tilted response. The screw on weight is actually slightly more effective at flattening out warped records too.
    2. 2M Black is good if your associated electronics and speakers / headphones have a laid-back sound. The 2M Black was good with ZDS / HD650. Not so good with any of my speakers and 45 tube amp.
    3. If you don't buy the periphery ring, I will buy it just so I can have another one, especially at $500, which is completely nuts.
     
  6. Wfojas

    Wfojas Friend

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    I accidentally put 2 on mine when i removed my Classic platter, and lowered the 20 lbs aluminum thing on a periphery ring hidden by some cloth in the chair. At which point I go, stupid, stupid, stupid. I've seen others posted that have them also, but they only really come about from negligence. It doesnt really hurt it, but I see it everytime i use it.
     
  7. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    There is no debate in this case. This is like comparing a no-frills Porsche Cayman to a Nissan Sentra. It depends how much you drive, or enjoy driving, to make it worthwhile. The periphery ring turns the Cayman into an Cayman S.
     
  8. Wfojas

    Wfojas Friend

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    Not to be an ass, but I would never have thought to read Marv writing the above. :) I totally get it, though. For a quick moment I wanted to do the same thing, too. Though they initially did sell for 700 or 800, but its not like they wear out. I could never figure out why the have belts on them, though.
     
    Last edited: Jan 10, 2017
  9. drfindley

    drfindley Secretly lives in the Analog Room - Friend

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    I second the Denon 103r. Such a great cartridge. I'm not a big fan of the 2M Black, though Marv's right, with the right chain it's not as bad.
     
  10. Dino

    Dino Friend

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    That would suck, but it's good to know.
     
  11. Merrick

    Merrick A lidless ear

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    Hey, I called dibs on that used periphery ring already! |\/|

    Edit: Just to be clear, I don't already own one.
     
  12. bazelio

    bazelio Friend

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    Periphery ring for 500 is better than I've ever seen. They hardly come up on the used market, and when they do aren't discounted by much. And, as someone else said, pair the ring with the HRX center weight.
     
  13. Merrick

    Merrick A lidless ear

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    @Gaspasser was kind enough to give me a heads up that he wasn't jumping on this bundle, so I called Seth and he couldn't honor the $500 price because that price was part of the bundle. He did however work with me to come to a price that I still considered a good deal and I ordered it. It should ship out tomorrow.

    I'll pick up the HRX weight another time, for now I'll stick with the Delrin.
     
  14. JK47

    JK47 Guest

    The Delrin screw down clamp is an entirely different animal than the HRX center weight. The Delrin clamp needs to be used with the rubber o-ring that goes over the center spindle and under the record. I have the steel/delrin version which is sightly different then delrin only.

    The HRX center weight just drops over the center spindle on top up the record with no rubber o-ring underneath.

    I tried using my steel/delrin center clamp with the periphery ring, with and without the rubber O-ring under the record. It just sounded off and kind of weird, but to each their own. It was also a pain in the ass to screw down the center weight with the periphery ring the same each time, therefore making repeatability difficult.

    Ask VPI, I'm pretty sure the Periphery ring is suppose to be used with a center weight, not the screw down clamp.

    Congrats on the ring, it's a definite level up.
     
  15. Merrick

    Merrick A lidless ear

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    Gah, alright. I'll get a center weight too. You guys are like drug dealers!

    Edit: I'm returning some records to Music Direct for store credit. Once my account is credited I'll buy a center weight from them.
     
  16. JK47

    JK47 Guest

    Hahaaa, try them both out with periphery ring when you get them. Interested in more impressions of the variables involved.

    FWIW I also had a Audio Technica center weight that I tried with the periphery ring before my HRX weight arrived. Again a different sound, more dampened and less lively. I ended up donating the AT to @insidious meme, I'm not sure if he's still using it, but he did say it had an effect on the sound.
     
  17. drfindley

    drfindley Secretly lives in the Analog Room - Friend

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    The VPI HRX weight and the periphery ring are a matched set and they should go together.
     
  18. Merrick

    Merrick A lidless ear

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    I'll order the center weight soon. I need it too, I've been going through some records I haven't played in a while and have found some warps.
     
    Last edited: Jan 10, 2017
  19. gaspasser

    gaspasser Flatulence Maestro

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    Thanks for all the input everyone! I wanted to order the package but reality hit me when I called to discuss it with "the boss". My wife helps keeps everything in perspective so I don't get carried away with this hobby. I am about to start grad school and I won't have much time for records...oh well.

    BTW I replied to Merrick before I read all the drama over the periphery ring, I apologize for sowing any discord.
     
  20. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    I'm giving you one more hour before I call Seth on his cell phone so I can buy it for myself.
     

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