New Turntable Advice

neophyte interesting ...

Elliott I still have my Sony PS-X700 DD.

Center Tracking Isn’t album runout a big deal? WoW and Flutter, not important if you're listening to Rock and Roll or metal music I suspect. Jazz and Classical Vocals its important.

@badbruno,

Three items you may wish to consider if you are interested in keeping the VPI Prime but modifying it to correct and improve its performance.  

1.  There is no reason to replace the VPI cueing level - just refill-it:  see the directions here - VPI Arm Lift too quick… | Steve Hoffman Music Forums.  Once you slow down the drop of the cueing level, the unpivot arm becomes much more controllable.  

2.  You can upgrade the VPI motor to the latest SOTA design with far improved speed control - Total Eclipse Package – Sota Turntables.   Alternatively, you can keep a look out for a VPI SDS on eBay or US Audio Mart, you want one with a serial number in the 3000's since this was the last version.  

3.  If you decide to upgrade the VPI, it's generally worth it to have the plater thrust plate changed to sapphire and the thrust bearing changed to ceramic.  Contact Steve Leung - VAS Audio who has done this work in past - VAS Audio.  This post describes what is done if you try it DIY Thrust plate and bearing replacement for VPI Turntable- Vinyl Engine.

Anton, thank you these work arounds. In fact I mounted a Ruby on the setscrew to Improve the Second pivot design from VPI because it was scoring the drag plate ! 
Switching Motors not going to happen, another reason why this Manufacture VPI after being in Business so long, has a lot to fix ... too much Marketing 

 A good idler is noiser, but it has more slam. 

What is “slam”? I mean to ask what can a TT do to create slam? It might be the capacity to maintain constant rotational speed despite stylus drag. But that is a strength of dd as well. Otherwise, I’m stumped. I think slam is also an often repeated adjective associated with idler drive.