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Seeking to upgrade from my Prime Scout turntable

I currently have VPI Prime Scout entry level turntable with a Dynavector 20X2-H/L cartridge. My dealer recommended the VPI Prime 21 which retails for $5500.00. Does anybody own the VPI Prime 21, and do you believe that I would notice a positive difference in sound quality that is worth the upgrade? Any thoughts would be appreciated. The rest of my system consists of Vandersteen 5A loudspeakers, h Thor Audio TP-150 mono block power amplifiers,(just replaced 16 tubes, 8 per side with Mullard New Production el-34 tubes and am pleased with the sound.) The rest of the system is a Thor Audio Linestage and a Thor Audio Phone stage, and a Marantz SACD player. All of the Thor components sound great, but noteThor went out of business many years ago. I mentioned my system as it is highly resolving so I figured a turntable upgrade may be noticeable in a positive way. Thank you. 

kjl1065
glennewdick's avatar
glennewdick
1,972 posts
 

I had a lot of issues with my Prime 21 to the point I sold it. I never looked back. The workmanship is not the same as it used to be IMO. I had issues with the gimbaled arm not being straight, the lift not working, motor chatter etc. I’m sure my experience is not what most have had to deal with but be aware.

inagroove
263 posts
 

@audphile1 

You may want to consider getting a "Counterintuitive" device, from VPI/Soundsmith (designed by Peter).

I was really surprised at how much easier, and reliable, Cart. set-up could be with a VPI unpivot.  ~$50.  Here is a link... 

Counter Intuitive for VPI tone arms | Soundsmith 

inagroove
263 posts
 

@kjl1065 

Interestingly, I have a unpivot VPI TT (Classic 2) and the Vandy 5a speakers.  Though the electronics are different, we may have SQ similarities.  

I agree that Carts make a significant difference in SQ.

On my system - I have been, and remain a fan of my Hana ML Cart.   In fact, I purchased the Umami Red last year, but the ML sounds so good that I have not installed the Red.

I also agree that a better TT will improve SQ, but that purchase is in another $-league...  

I do NOT agree that Gimble TTs always sound better than Uni-pivot TTs.  Each has sonic benefits and detriments.

DEMO, or money-back trial, if you can...

slaw's avatar
slaw
26,497 posts
 

The thumb-screw lock the VPI unipovot is a weak part of its' design. You'll notice they changed to compression fit counter weight now

richardbrand's avatar
richardbrand
1,385 posts
 

For that sort of money you could invest in a new Holbo Mk2 air bearing system, which includes deck and arm but not cartridge.

Forget gimbal versus uni-pivot.  You get an extremely rigid tangential tonearm that floats on an air bearing.  The arm is constrained on its bearing so that it can only slide bodily sideways, or rotate vertically. This provides an incredibly stable platform for the cartridge.

The platter also runs on an air bearing.

You can forget about anti-skating - it is not needed with tangential arms.  Vertical Tracking Angle can be adjusted while a record is playing.  Just as important for stereo playback, Horizontal Tracking Error is effectively zero, whereas most pivoting arms are up to 2-degrees out.

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