Best bet is to call VPI and get the right counterweight for this configuration.

Yep

Mat, if I may venture an opinion, perhaps some things can be done to strengthen this forum. Maybe the first is to make it clear that this is the main site for VPI interest, interaction, and help - not Facebook. I know there’s a bunch of folks on there, but IMO trying to keep the energy behind both will only serve to weaken one or the other, and somehow it always seems to be the web forum. Maybe encourage the Facebook folks to consider joining here and migrating their VPI products questions to this site. Second, maybe utilize web resources to promote and keep promoting this site. When my sister started her online business she discovered there are ways to have, for example, her site pop up toward the top of the list on Google searches of related interest. For this site to grow and succeed, I think the focus on it must be consistent and unrelenting.

Yes, as you are over in Switzerland the U.S. source I mentioned would not be ideal. 🙂 As to the ART9, I’m not sure my personal opinion should be the basis for a decision. 😉😀 Sure, it’s a good cart, but it does not sound like a Benz. I wouldn’t feel right saying “give it a try” only for you to find that it’s not something you care for. Have you had any opportunity in the past to listen to A-T moving coils?

I used a Wood SL and still use an LP-S, although I do have a number of other carts. If you like the SL, I will say neither the Shyla nor the ART9 have a sound on a VPI table similar to that Benz sound. They are excellent carts, so if you’re looking for a bit of a change they might be a nice choice. But if Benz is what you love, Sierra Sound in the U.S. took over importing and representation of Benz a little less than a year ago. Benz carts are still being made and are still available, and Sierra can evaluate your SL if you wish. None of this is to say that Benz carts are rolling off the assembly line in the likes of A-T carts, but their scarcity in the U.S. for many years was due in part to what seemed to have been poor representation. Oh, and of course Soundsmith can evaluate your cart as well if you want to get it checked, as could VAS in NJ.

Denis, if you’re considering the ART9, also consider the VPI Shyla. It’s based on the ART9 and sounds a bit better on VPI tables (IMO). What is your current cart and how do you like it?

Not everyone is a social media fan, Mat. 😀

This one came through at least, Sam. 🙂 Maybe give it another try?

I agree with Michael. This ring is damaged. Mine is perfect.

Hi Monjay. The VPI Player phono stage has 35dB of gain, so it is unsuitable for a low or medium output MC cartridge. You’d have to turn off that phono stage *instructions should be in the manual) and then you’d be able to use an external phono stage with the needed gain.

Hi Phil. Contact VPI. They have tiny little adhesive backed rubber dots, one of which would go under the tonearm directly above the lift. It acts as a “spacer”; the tonearm lift will rise up to that and the arm will raise. I suspect you could find this elsewhere, but VPI has them. I suspect they may have replacement feet as well.

Hi Gabor. I don’t personally know of anyone who’s done it, but I think you’re right. Getting the two motors working precisely together may be a challenge.

Good for you, John! I do recall the mouse pad trick was one mentioned in the past on the old forum.

Hi Bill. I’ve never used a damped version of a VPI unipivot but I recall seeing pictures of it on the old forum. I may be able to help a little bit. If you disconnect the arm cable from the junction box and then lift the arm off the pivot point, you should see a small circular cup that the pivot is in. Actually, I just found a thread about it on AudioKarma. It’s called “VPI Classic owners - tonearm damping fluid”. It’s got pictures and some good info. Good luck.

Okay. The VPI jig uses a Stevenson alignment (more or less - I'm not entirely certain it's exactly a Stevenson alignment). The null points for Stevenson favors less distortion at the inner (closer to the spindle) grooves, but based on what else you've said I don't think this really matters. What you said about this being more prominent on older records may point to what's really going on, but if you have time (just to try an alternative method), maybe use Peter Lederman's technique for checking anti-skate. Anti skating part 1 of 2 - Soundsmith - Peter Ledermann (youtube.com) Anti skating part 2 of 2 - Soundsmith - Peter Ledermann (youtube.com) There's a small possibility of having some horizontal friction in the arm, but let's not go there just yet. 🙂

Hi Jonathan. It could be anti-skate, might very well be as no AS would theoretically put more pressure on the inner - left- groove wall. But before focusing on that… 1. What cart is it? 2. What tool(s) did you use to set it up? 3. Alignment type (Lofgren etc…) 4. Tracking force? 5. Does the surface noise stay consistent across the whole side of a record?

I’m not sure if anyone from VPI regularly monitors this forum. Might be best to just give them a call.

A great VPI showing at AXPONA. Some of the best sounding rooms had VPI tables handling the music!

Roaming around??? It looked like there were 12 Mats at the show. He seemed to be everywhere at once. 😂

Good luck with this, Mike. I think some of this depends on the cart. Some seem to demonstrate easy to hear differences with VTA change (usually in the area of high frequency purity and smoothness, at least in my experience), other carts not so much. I’m like you - I use tools (USB scope, AnalogMagik, etc) to get the best alignment I can and then mostly just hope I did it right. My Benz LP-S, as an example, does not exhibit and significant sonic change when I move the VTA relative to its final aligned position.