Determine what is the pivot to spindle distance for the 12-inch arm you want to use. Then, using the spindle as the center of a circle, describe a circle with radius equal to the P2S distance needed. Observe where the circumference of that circle passes over the area on the plinth where you would like to mount your tonearm. Then figure out whether there is enough real estate around that point to accommodate the base of your tonearm. And Bob's your uncle.
Rear arm on VPI Classic 4 Turntable
Has anyone ever put a rear arm on a VPI Classic 4 turntable? Does a 12 inch arm work comfortably at the back or is a 10 inch arm better? What hardware is needed? How difficult is it to install - and use?
I’m a unipivot wand arm swapper. I have 5 12 inch JMW 12 inch wand arms. I was thinking of adding a 12 inch gimbal to the right sided arm but want to preserve a 12 inch unipivot for my other wandarms.
I am turning to the community for advice because try as I might I cannot get VPI to answer my emails or calls. They seem to have abandoned customer service for some reason I do love the turntable though despite being ghosted.
Useful input appreciated!
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https://www.vpiindustries.com/classic4VPI Classic 4 was designed for 12" and 10/12" |
It's a shame they don't help you, it can get tricky. My long arm, I realized Afterwards I had a few close clearances, just got lucky. And, I had to cut a notch in my dust cover for the 'above plinth' wires. This Classic 4, the rear plate and part of the arm is cantilevered beyond the rear and left side of the plinth, and the cable is not out the bottom of the arm post, i.e. din, it is above the plinth, sticking out much further.
Sometimes a VPI Junction Box has to make a transition from delicate tonearm wires to RCA Jacks, I did that with box from NewArtVinyl, later a box from VPI using their mini-din connector.
without a dust cover, you can make a bigger mounting plate, or, a huge/heavy dust cover around the Plinth and extended parts Check the height of the gimbal below the dust cover, when the arm post is raised for a tall cartridge, say 22mm, above a thick LP. With a more compact plinth, with a dust cover that sits ON the plinth, thus smaller, lighter, easier to place somewhere during play, be more careful: Don’t forget the length of the counterweight section behind the pivot. a. if removable dust cover, it only has to fit when parked and you put the cover back on b. IF a hinged dust cover, the rear of the arm must clear the portion of the dust cover on it’s outside edge as it pivots: if the rear, the rear face, if right side, the side of the cover or a side hinge. I have seen cutouts to allow an arm to pivot while the dust cover is closed, however many of us believe a cover should be removed, or left raised, so as not to reflect micro-vibrations back down to the LP, arm ...
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Yes, you can fit two 12-inch tonearms on a VPI Classic 4 turntable . The Classic 4 was specifically designed with a larger plinth for this purpose.
Key details regarding this setup:
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- 18 posts total