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"Flat out Stunning" Upgrade to the Original Prime Turntable
VPI's Prime Signature turntable is an upgraded version of the Prime turntable, which took the world by storm when it was released a few years ago. The VPI Prime Signature features an upgraded JMW 10-3D Reference arm in a “metallic black” gloss finish with Nordost Reference wire. The chassis consists of an aluminum plate sandwiched between a composite material for improved dampening.
Due to the additional weight of the turntable, VPI upgraded the feet to its Classic Signature feet. In addition, both the motor housing and all Delrin posts and armboards were upgraded to a heftier stainless steel.
"Ask them to play that Dead record on their VPI Prime Signature turntable... flat out stunning," reports Herb Reichert inStereophile.
Upgrading a True Next Generation Turntable
Over the past few years, VPI Industries has been focusing mainly on creating exciting products for entry level audiophiles and getting them to embrace vinyl for the first time. With the Prime, VPI decided to get back to its roots and focus on the existing audience with a table that offers quality hi-end sound while taking advantage of VPI's improvements in technology. The Prime Signature takes the philosophy even further with several enhancements compared to the already excellent design of the original-model Prime.
The original Prime was Mat Weisfeld's first solo design on a table with approval from his father Harry as well as input from the rest of the VPI staff. The shape of the Prime is meant to have a curvier and sexy look compared to the "classic" look of VPI tables over the past 10 years. At same time, it has the footprint to accommodate the space needed for a premium 10-inch 3D tonearm. VPI was able to get the price reduced for the 3D tonearm because of the company's improved technology along with increased volume in 3D printing and supply.
In addition to its 10-inch 3D tonearm, the Prime Signature also includes a 20 pound aluminum platter, a VTA Tower for VTA/SRA on the fly, an outboard 300 RPM motor housing, new feet which offer improved isolation and better mechanical grounding, and a stainless steel/Delrin record clamp.
Enhances Construction and Isolation
The Prime Signature's vinyl wrapped MDF chassis is bonded with a sandwiched aluminum plate to provide the ultimate resonance control and rejects feedback. The four stainless steel and Delrin corner posts are designed for isolation and mechanical grounding. VPI upgraded the feet to its Classic Signature feet for superior isolation and mechanical grounding.
A Serious Synchronous Motor and 20-Pound Platter
Prime uses a 300-rpm, 24-pole AC synchronous motor capable of high torque and quiet operation. For superior isolation, the motor is installed in a separate aluminum and steel machined assembly.
For unsurpassed speed stability, Prime boasts a 20-pound damped platter machined from 6061 aluminum to an astonishing +/- .001” tolerance in a 39” circumference. The inverted bearing consists of a hardened stainless steel shaft plus a 60 Rockwell chrome hardened ball spinning in a phosphor bronze bushing and sitting on a PEEK thrust disc. The belt side load is placed at the center of the spinning bearing for zero 'teeter-totter' effects.
The motor pulley has an accuracy of +/- .0005” when leaving VPI's factory and has a wow and flutter rating of >0.1%, speed accuracy of >0.03% and rumble of >85db down.
3D Tonearm
The premium 3D tonearm is a new design featuring a 3D-printed one-piece body for the ultimate in resonance control. It uses premium Discovery internal Nordost Reference Wire and full length internal copper-shielding in the arm tube.
Operation is a pleasure. The tonearm features adjustable side weights for finer azimuth settings, a built-in “Easy lift” finger lift, and easy setting of VTA/SRA in thousandths of an inch, calibrated and repeatable. The offset stainless steel counterweight delivers exceptional stability. There is also an adjustable anti-skate control.
