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VPI Aries 3 Questions - Looking to make a switch

I have a VPI Aries 3 turntable with the following upgrades. Periphery Clamp, Mini HRX Feet, Super Platter, XLR Junction Box, SDS Speed Controller, Single Flywheel motor. I am presently running a Lyra Delos with 200 hours on it. I love the sound of the turntable, but it is simply too big in my opinion. 

I am pondering trading it for a VPI Classic 3 or similar. I also can get a good deal on an AMG Giro. I am wondering how the performance of my current rig would compare with a smaller footprint VPI like a classic 3. I don't want to take a step backwards. I was also wondering how my current rig would compare in performance to the AMG Giro.

I was also wondering what my rig is worth with and without the Lyra Delos? 

Thank you.

pilrem

Showing 2 responses by melm

melm
1,057 posts
 

You have a great table and set-up. The super platter has a non-inverted bearing which is superior to later VPI designs IMO. It's hard to know exactly the nature of the AMG bearing from the printed descriptions in the reviews, all of them merely repeating AMG's publicity.  However since the bearing is actually one of the 3 feet, I assume it is also a non-inverted bearing.   A platter, by the way, is supposed to be dead. Otherwise you'll have resonances.

If you haven’t done it in a while you might want to check the bearing for wear both the ball and the plate. It can easily be brought to better than new.

It’s not clear what you would expect to improve with the AMG TT.

melm
1,057 posts
 

By single flywheel motor I assume you mean the motor and flywheel together in a single case. I would not give up mine as I have always found that anything making the speed of the the TT more constant can generally be heard as an improvement. Are you concerned about its size?

In any event you can experiment by detaching the flywheel and arranging the motor temporarily so that the TT is run from the motor alone. Play some solo piano music before and after the change.

I can’t really advise on available arms. It was a long while ago that I switched a 12" metal arm tub for a 12" 3d arm tube and was happy with the result and was able to sell the old one. Then I went to the 2nd pivot (with a ruby point) and was even happier. An advantage was cost as I mounted the arm on the same base. Had to get a new spike though, one without the damping well. You might get that thrown in with the deal. I did.

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