If people and parts are available, OP could overhaul his TT and change to a compatible arm with a removable headshell.
Experience VPI Dragon and/or Mark Levinson 515 turntables
I understand both of these listed turntables are the same.
Are there Audiogoners that own or have evaluated one or the other. I am very interested in feedback from use. Or is there another VPI turntable I should consider. Any other options?
I currently own Oracle Delphi II with Eminent Technology arm and am looking for a table that is much newer and benefits from 35 years of industry knowledge and manufacturing.
Showing 8 responses by elliottbnewcombjr
I would not buy either. Single Tonearm: I want a removable headshell allowing a small collection of cartridges: Stereo; Mono; MM; MC; New; Vintage with otherwise unobtainable cantilevers. I prefer the option of a second tonearm, to start, or in the future if you want. a Mark Levinson 515 shows up on VPIdirect, they call it a Trade-In, NOS, for $5,500. Web page is confused, You would need to call and clarify, if they have one, if so what cartridge comes with it, or have them give you a few options. https://www.vpidirect.com/products/levinson-515-trade-in-nos they are both made by VPI, however, they have differences, I agree, go with the company that makes it, however, buying an ML from VPI, the guarantee would come from VPI, so I would choose the ML due to their use of a Tonearm with two important differences 1. no exposed wire that make’s a random amount of ’pushback’ on the arm (thus randomly effecting anti-skate), ML is all internal wire, soldered within the unit with RCA jacks. 2. anti-skate adjuster exists on the ML arm other differences, integral motor supply, ... see this review I want a real dust cover for when it is off, I don’t see one, perhaps an option is available
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this is a terrific Turntable, I helped a friend assemble one with long and short Micro Seiki 505 arms. you pick one arm to start, if get hooked add a second arm https://www.audiogon.com/systems/11900
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testpilot all arms I have ever messed with, if they had captured/soldered wires within, were lighter, thinner, more flexible wires with thinner insulation, and ’soft slack’ than the ones used externally. You can tell when you observe the arm’s inner skate on a blank lp before you apply any anti-skate My Blackbird came with delicate exposed silk covered wires, no ’wire pushback’. But the silk insulation wore off and hum developed. VAS re-wired, the new wire is stiffer, he added a VPI junction box with mini-din in and rca out, and that exposed length causes pushback. Yes, VPI added the anti-skate as an option to some arms that started without it, I could not tell if it is included on the arm on their Dragon table. |
VAS has his big VPI off-line, currently enjoying TW Acustic, using his collection of VPI Uni-Pivot Arm wands to demo cartridges with it. You could ask Steve Leung what he likes about it Here’s a TW Acustic with an SME3012 with removable headshell
I don’t see a dust cover. Here's a Raven 2 in Canada, with extra parts for 2nd arm, links to reviews, might be a source to learn about them https://www.canuckaudiomart.com/details/650268168-tw-acustic-raven-2-reduced/ |
the TW Acustic Raven 2 shown with Two Arms
this one’s in Germany, with 2 Ikeda Arms he is not including this different Canadian seller has two TW Acustic armboards https://www.canuckaudiomart.com/details/650218098-tw-acustic-armboards/ A very wordy review of TW Acustic's 10.5" arm https://www.soundstageultra.com/index.php/equipment-menu/179-tw-acustic-raven-105-tonearm
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