VPI Classic 3

[HiFiCrossFit]

First this is my first TT and my first experience EVER with a TT. I have never set up another one and had a large learning curve. It was easy in some regards and difficult in others. I did watch Micheal Fremer's DVD guide to setting up a VPI TT and it helped tremendously. I still don't understand the antiskating force and the device they have implemented for it. It simply does not work for me and I should probably call VPI to get that squared away. After I set my table up I had my dealer come out (he has been setting up TT for a LONG time) and check it out. He said in all his years he has never set up a TT like this one and was impressed with the job I did. He even read the instructions while sitting on my couch and double-checked everything I did.

I listen to about everything. I do not do new country, rap, and heavy heavy stuff. I do listen to classical, jazz, indy, rock, etc.

My only other source at the moment is my computer streaming Spotify and to be quite honest, it sounds AMAZING. I have not given the TT the love it needs and that is mostly due to me being a perfectionist and i'm still figuring out the process in which I want to clean my records. I think I have all the supplies and procedures in place that I feel is important, now I'm just trying to find a day I can devote to the process.

My wife and I own and operate two businesses so we stay very busy, when I sit down to listen to music my main priority at the moment is convenience. We are in the process of handing over one business to a manager and giving most of our focus to the other one, that will allow me more time to devote to this hobby and that is when I really plan on enjoying some vinyl.

[j3brow]

Originally Posted by Myles B. Astor

Atlas in the 3d or normal arm. If in the normal, your dealers absolutely wrong. Haven't tried it in the 3d but it sounds like your dealer needs to speak with HW to make sure the set up is right. Since you have to also replace the unipivot, it's possible the VTA is also off.

Also it's a bitch according to my friend getting the right tracking force with the 3d

Atlas in 3D arm. He was underwhelmed. Maybe price/performance thing. This guy sets up turntables for a living, he is an expert and well known. Maybe he just doesn't care for Lyra sound, who knows. Key thing is the Ortofon and VPI arm combo sounded divine.

[Myles B. Astor]

My friend has his Atlas set up in the 12 - inch 3D and it sounds better than the stock 12.8 (or is it 12.8?) arm. So there's something amiss.

[Pyro]

Originally Posted by HiFiCrossFit

First this is my first TT and my first experience EVER with a TT. I have never set up another one and had a large learning curve. It was easy in some regards and difficult in others. I did watch Micheal Fremer's DVD guide to setting up a VPI TT and it helped tremendously. I still don't understand the antiskating force and the device they have implemented for it. It simply does not work for me and I should probably call VPI to get that squared away. After I set my table up I had my dealer come out (he has been setting up TT for a LONG time) and check it out. He said in all his years he has never set up a TT like this one and was impressed with the job I did. He even read the instructions while sitting on my couch and double-checked everything I did.

I listen to about everything. I do not do new country, rap, and heavy heavy stuff. I do listen to classical, jazz, indy, rock, etc.

My only other source at the moment is my computer streaming Spotify and to be quite honest, it sounds AMAZING. I have not given the TT the love it needs and that is mostly due to me being a perfectionist and i'm still figuring out the process in which I want to clean my records. I think I have all the supplies and procedures in place that I feel is important, now I'm just trying to find a day I can devote to the process.

My wife and I own and operate two businesses so we stay very busy, when I sit down to listen to music my main priority at the moment is convenience. We are in the process of handing over one business to a manager and giving most of our focus to the other one, that will allow me more time to devote to this hobby and that is when I really plan on enjoying some vinyl.

Thanks for taking the time to answer my questions. Your explanation gave me a better idea on what I can expect. One concern is with a TT will it be the same/different and/or better/different then my current source. The answer is yes/no/maybe.

[jdandy]

Originally Posted by Pyro

The answer is yes/no/maybe.

Rob.......All of the above.

Really!

[Pyro]

Originally Posted by jdandy

Rob.......All of the above.

Really!

So then it really comes down to nostalgia. Don't get me wrong, I haven't decided against a TT.

[jdandy]

Originally Posted by Pyro

So then it really comes down to nostalgia. Don't get me wrong, I haven't decided against a TT.

Rob.......I have two turntables. The Micro Seiki DD-40 with the M505a tonearm and Ortofon Cadenza Blue moving coil cartridge is in my living room system. The Michell Gyro SE with SME309 tonearm and Ortofon Cadenza Black moving coil cartridge is in the studio system. Both rigs sound very good when the vinyl pressings and recording are good. Just as easily, both rigs will reveal poor quality pressings and marginal quality recordings. The analog medium is no more likely to make a crappy recording sound good than is the digital medium. Many analog recording are compressed to accommodate the inherent pitfalls of recording to vinyl and they often sound that way to my ears. Some vinyl sounds absolutely spectacular. Just because it has been pressed in vinyl versus digital is no guarantee of a premium performance. Just like digital recordings vinyl recordings can be hit or miss. I like vinyl playback, especially when a well produced, premium pressing is being played. Still, I tend to play 85% digital to 15% vinyl. I enjoy both mediums. One of the biggest drawbacks for me with vinyl is purchasing quality pressings. All the vinyl producers and resellers claim perfection, but it is rarely true. Buying, then returning a bad pressing is a pain in the butt and gets expensive. When I pay $35.00 for a record including the shipping and it arrives warped, noisy, or otherwise defective I am pissed. Then it costs me another $6.00 to ship it back while hoping the replacement is good. Now my record cost me $41.00. Sometimes the replacement is good, sometime it isn't. Those experiences take the fun out of purchasing vinyl on the web. None the less, when you get a good vinyl copy of a favorite recording it will put a smile on your face. Engaging in vinyl playback takes a lot more effort than does digital playback. If you are willing to put forth the extra effort, vinyl can be rewarding.

[Pyro]

BTW - My wife says we should get a nice TT.

[Masterlu]

Originally Posted by Pyro

BTW - My wife says we should get a nice TT.

The Classic 3 in optional Rosewood looks amazing!

[jdandy]

Originally Posted by Pyro

BTW - My wife says we should get a nice TT.

Rob.......Cool! I have always thought of turntables as sexy. They have an allure that is undeniable. I would give in and get your wife a turntable rig as soon as possible.