VPI Fatboys versus others in its' tonearm weight class.

I recently went from a Classic 3 with the 3D tonearm & dual pivot to a Classic Signature with the gimbal Fatboy and heard a significant difference with my Soundsmith Paua Mk II. It is significantly quieter in the grooves with less chatter. I had the HW 40 feet on the Classic 3 as well (plus it sits on a Symposium) and attribute most of the difference to the tonearm. I noticed improvement across the frequency band with low and mid-bass being the most noticeable change. Mid-bass is more three dimensional. Cymbals have more shimmer and there seems to be more space between the instruments/notes. 

As I get older my hands get a little shaky sometimes which makes me nervous when playing records. Even if the gimbal Fatboy is not quite as good as the unipivot with the dual pivot I see myself enjoying the turntable more with the gimbal tonearm. 

As others have said matching the cartridge to the arm is vital but you also need to consider matching the cartridge to your phono stage. The Paua and my Modwright PH9 X seem to be an exceptional match. 

@Skyscraper will you install the Fatboy now and have the dealer assist when your Lyra comes in? Using the Fatboy with your current cartridge should really highlight the differences between tonearms. 

I hope you'll enjoy your upgraded turntable!

Todd, thank you for sharing your experience with your gimbaled Fatboy. I hope my results are as good as yours.. I’ll listen for the qualities you describe when the Lyra Kleos cartridge finally arrives. The Fatboy is already at the dealer who’ll be doing the installation and set-up once it does. I’m not going to attempt to set it up with my current cartridge first.

I looked into the Soundsmith Pau you have but it was unfortunately not compatible with my Luxman’s 507uX Mk2’s integrated amp’s built in phono stage setting. VPI indicated the Lyra Kleos wihich does match would by compatible. I read VPI has used Lyra carts to demo products at shows. 

I hear you on the issue of not trusting your hands when placing and removing the tonearm/cart on a record. I hate that process too, as I notice a decrease in fine motor control at age seventy. Taking the arm off a record after it is done playing is much less nerve wracking though since I acquired a "Little Fwend" tonearm lift.

Mike

OP,

Looking forward to hearing your impressions of your new tone arm. A couple weeks ago I received my upgraded Linn arm for my LP12, Akito ($2.8K) to Ekos SE ($5.6K). Wonderful upgrade. I have to admit it is really helping me enjoy my vinyl (2,000 albums). 

No...going from the 10.5 to the Fatboy is not a huge improvement....perhaps Fatboy was properly adjusted.   The Fatboy sound is just different...not better (but everyone has their taste).  To get the 10.5 arm closer to the sound of the Fatboy, there is the 2nd pivot for about 100 dollars or so that I am using a is certainly worth the little expense and trouble to set up.

Ghdprentice, Congrats on your new tonearm. Glad to hear you’re getting some real enjoyment out of your upgrade. What differences have you experienced listening to your records with the new Ekos SE arm installed?.

That’s a lot of records you have. I think I’ve maybe up to 1500 LP’s, but rarely buy any anymore, since used CD’s are some much more reasonably priced and usually in pristine condition, unlike used vinyl.

I’m hoping the Lyra Kleos cartridge will be in by the end of May so I can take a listen to how it will sound on the Fatboy.

Stringreen, I hope the Fatboy sounds better than what you describe. I’d hate to have wasted the thousands it cost. Most reviewers and Audiogoners have indicated it should be a significant upgrade over the 10.5 arm, but the proof will be in the pudding. We’ll see.

Mike