VPI Prime 21 Turntable - Walnut - No Cartridge
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- Audiophilia Product of the Year for 2021
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VPI Prime 21 Turntable - Walnut - No Cartridge
What You Need to A Refined Version of VPI’s Proven Prime Turntable
The VPI Prime 21 is a high-mass belt-drive turntable built for listeners who want to choose their own cartridge. It refines VPI’s original Prime design with a machined aluminum top plate, HW-40 isolation feet, and a 10-inch Gimbal 3D tonearm.
No cartridge is included. This configuration gives you the freedom to select an MM or MC cartridge that matches your phono preamp and listening goals. Available in Black or Walnut.
A 20-Pound Platter on a Rigid, Braced Chassis
A machined aluminum plate braces the MDF chassis and ties its major assemblies to a shared structural foundation. The top plate adds rigidity around the platter bearing, tonearm, and motor opening without changing the Prime’s familiar sculpted shape.
The 12-inch platter is machined from 6061 aluminum and weighs 20 pounds. Its inverted bearing uses a hardened stainless-steel shaft, hardened chrome ball, phosphor-bronze bushing, and PEEK thrust disc. VPI specifies 0.05% wow and flutter, 0.05% speed accuracy, and rumble 80 dB down.
A Stable and Fully Adjustable Gimbal Tonearm
The included 10-inch Gimbal 3D tonearm replaces the unipivot design used on earlier Prime models. Its full-gimbal bearing provides a familiar, stable feel when cueing a record, while the 3D-printed arm structure combines epoxy resin, Delrin, copper, aluminum, and steel.
Tracking force, vertical tracking angle, azimuth, and anti-skating can be adjusted for accurate cartridge setup. The arm’s 10.2-gram effective mass supports a broad cartridge range, but cartridge weight and compliance should be confirmed before purchase.
Is This Right for You?
The Prime 21 is designed for a custom, high-performance analog system:
- Best use: Choose it when you want a substantial manual turntable with an adjustable tonearm and freedom to select your own cartridge.
- System requirements: You need a compatible phono cartridge, phono preamp or phono-equipped amplifier, and shielded phono interconnects.
- Upgrade path: VPI offers a periphery ring, Analog Drive System, Reference feet, and Fatboy tonearm upgrades.
- Honest limitation: This is not the cartridge-equipped Prime 21 Plus package. It is also fully manual and requires cartridge installation and belt-based speed changes.
Setup & Installation
Place the Prime 21 on a rigid, level surface that can safely support its 44-pound weight. Its footprint is 19.5 inches wide by 13.75 inches deep, while the complete assembly measures 21.375 inches wide by 15.75 inches deep. Allow extra room for the tonearm cable and record handling.
Install the feet, motor, platter, belt, tonearm, and cartridge before use. VPI supplies setup tools, an alignment jig, and a stylus-force gauge. Professional cartridge installation is recommended if you have not aligned a high-end tonearm before.
Switching between 33⅓ and 45 rpm requires moving the drive belt between the motor-pulley steps. Browse Audio Advisor’s phono cartridges and phono preamplifiers for system-matching options.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the VPI Prime 21 include a cartridge?
No. This is the standard Prime 21 with no cartridge. It is not the Prime 21 Plus package with a VPI Shyla cartridge.
Does it include a phono preamp?
No. You need an external phono preamp or an amplifier with a phono input that matches your chosen cartridge.
How do I change playback speed?
Move the drive belt between the 33⅓ and 45 rpm steps on the motor pulley. VPI’s optional Analog Drive System adds electronic speed selection and adjustment.
Is cartridge setup required?
Yes. The cartridge must be mounted, aligned, and adjusted for tracking force, VTA, azimuth, and anti-skating. Setup tools are included.
Does it include a dust cover?
No. A compatible freestanding dust cover is sold separately.
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Features
- Machined aluminum top plate: The plate braces the MDF chassis and supports its major mechanical assemblies.
- 20-pound aluminum platter: The 12-inch platter is machined from 6061 aluminum.
- Full-gimbal 3D tonearm: The included 10-inch arm provides a stable bearing system and extensive cartridge adjustment.
- HW-40 isolation feet: Adjustable feet derived from VPI’s anniversary turntable help isolate and level the chassis.
- Separate synchronous motor: The 300 rpm motor resides in its own machined aluminum-and-steel housing.
- Precision inverted bearing: The bearing combines a hardened shaft and ball with a bronze bushing and PEEK thrust disc.
- Choose your own cartridge: The no-cartridge configuration supports custom MM or MC system matching.
- Two finishes: Available in Black or Walnut.
Turntable Specifications
- Product Type: Fully manual high-end turntable
- Drive Type: Belt drive
- Speeds: 33⅓ and 45 rpm
- Speed Change: Manual belt movement
- Chassis: Vinyl-wrapped MDF with machined aluminum top plate
- Platter: 12-inch machined 6061 aluminum
- Platter Weight: 20 lb.
- Main Bearing: Inverted bearing with hardened stainless-steel shaft, hardened chrome ball, phosphor-bronze bushing, and PEEK thrust disc
- Motor: 300 rpm, 24-pole AC synchronous motor
- Motor Housing: Separate machined aluminum-and-steel assembly
- Motor-Pulley Accuracy: ±0.0005 in.
- Wow and Flutter: 0.05%
- Speed Accuracy: 0.05%
- Rumble: 80 dB down
- Isolation: Four adjustable HW-40 feet
- Cartridge: Not included
- Phono Preamp: Not included or built in
- Dust Cover: Not included
Gimbal 10-3D Tonearm Specifications
- Bearing Type: Full gimbal
- Arm Construction: 3D-printed structure incorporating epoxy resin, Delrin, copper, aluminum, and steel
- Internal Wiring: VPI copper weave
- Pivot-to-Spindle Distance: 258 mm
- Effective Length: 273.4 mm
- Effective Mass: 10.2 g
- Overhang: 15.4 mm
- Offset Angle: 19.98°
- Average RMS Distortion: 0.31%
- Adjustments: Tracking force, VTA, azimuth, and anti-skating
- Connection: Lemo connector to junction box
Dimensions, Finish & Included Items
- Footprint: 19.5 x 13.75 in.
- Overall Dimensions: 21.375 x 15.75 in. (W x D)
- Total Weight: 44 lb.
- Available Finishes: Black and Walnut
- Included: Prime 21 chassis, Gimbal 10-3D tonearm, aluminum platter, motor assembly, isolation feet, drive belt, record clamp, counterweight, alignment jig, stylus-force gauge, setup tools, power cord, and instructional flash drive
- Sold By: Each
Not included: Phono cartridge, phono preamplifier, phono interconnects, and dust cover.
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