Jeff demonstrates how to set up a VPI Prime turntable

After replacing a cartridge for my friend Mike - Jeff Harris of Reference Analog in Moore, Oklahoma agreed to visit me to demonstrate a setup and configuration of a VPI Prime turntable. This video is long, however I thought it best to leave it in one piece since the purpose of this video is to set up a VPI turntable.
By the way, in the end, I purchased the VPI Prime (it was that good)!
Here are close-up photos of cartridge alignment that Jeff wanted to share with you:
imgur.com/s9W39nD
imgur.com/yEqOQPM

[@TheAudioBelle]

Here are close-up photos of cartridge alignment that Jeff wanted to share with you: imgur.com/s9W39nD imgur.com/yEqOQPM

[@homerjones3291]

Now see, I never thought of attaching the cartridge wires with mu bare hands and THEN mounting cartridge. Learn something new every day.

[@3dimensionsofmusic3D]

Thanks for taking the time with Jeff to show the Prime setup. VPI has a pretty good Prime tutorial on their website too. Jeff is so right about patience and taking your time. LoL. Adjusting the azimuth / VTA / VTF all interact with each other. It is a process that will test you. I installed the Soundsmith 'Counter Intuitive' accessory made for the VPI counterweight to help me out. I don't have a 'Jeff" here around to help me out LoL. Cheers.

[@referenceanalog]

Greg J, hi! So I actually fly all over the country setting up tables for my clients. It’s a bit expensive if you’re the only one in an area but if you are interested shoot me an email and I will put you on a list of guys to reach out to if we are heading to your area for any reason. Glad you are enjoying your table. Happy spinning sir :) [e-mail]

[@TheAudioBelle]

Greg, Every VPI owner needs his own Jeff! ---Cynthia, The Audio Belle

[@michaelriner1181]

would appreaciate if you used protractor provided with table since many ,if not most, are going to be using those.

[@zendrive794]

Great video Jeff. Can you post links for where you bought some of your accessories, like the small clear plastic azimuth level?

[@TheAudioBelle]

@zendrive794, Jeff actually has his own KZbin now! You might check it out and see if you can pose some of your questions to him - www.youtube.com/@referenceanalog. ---Cynthia, The Audio Belle

[@michaelrenwick5042]

Jeff, curious to know if you set the lemo wire to the neutral position or was it twisted for anti-skate when you did the cart alignment? I find that it produces two very different cart positions. I’m not sure what to do when setting mine up. I think VPI suggests having it neutral but that seems strange. Thanks!

[@referenceanalog]

I 100% do a nice clean loop, no twist. Being a Unipivot I just don’t understand how twisting the wire wouldn’t create a tilting effect on the Unipivot, throwing off azimuth.

[@ejshelby5460]

this turntable set up video is a full length movie, worth watch in iMax

[@TheAudioBelle]

EJShelby, It is also in 4K, so if you have a 4K TV you can enjoy this in super duper high resolution. ---Cynthia, The Audio Belle

[@mr.seanster]

I think after watching I'm more intimated by it. Lol

[@salookie8000]

Me too..

[@scottyo64]

What is the fishing for on the counter weight?

[@greggkerber3215]

Nice detailed video. Thank you. One question. On my Prime when not using any anti skate, the stylus slams into the first song when the tone arm is lowered. Is this caused by some other adjustment being off, or do I need a slight tension on the anti skate line?

[@TheAudioBelle]

@greggkerber3215, Jeff has his own KZbin channel now! You might check it out, for any questions you might have for him directly - www.youtube.com/@referenceanalog ---Cynthia, The Audio Belle

[@esd9510]

How did you get that platter so shiny??

[@TheAudioBelle]

esd9510, I don’t know how. But it is still shiny! --Cynthia, The Audio Belle

[@phillanassa759]

Great Video! I was watching more for the VPI Prime angle than just for setup knowledge, but did pick up a thing or 2 from watching Jeff. I've been setting up my own carts now for over 30 years, always with great results. I do them for friends when asked. The learning curve is steep, but doable, if you are somewhat handy with your hands. End of this month, I plan on visiting VPI house in NJ and purchasing a Prime Signature. This will be my first VPI as well as first UNI tonearm. Cant Wait! What Jeff says is so true regarding the manifold of dissenting and differing opinions. Get a room full of analog guys and ask them all the same question, you can potentially get as many differing answers as folks in there Not to mention some seriously lively debate/attitude between the more 'opinionated' vinyl guys/gals in the bunch. I bet that Air Tight cart sounds great. Would have been nice to get a shot of everything connected, installed and playing something on the new VPI...!

[@markbrewer4439]

On my VPI Prime the center hole on top of the Unipivot cup has a cap or looks solid is this removable?

[@referenceanalog]

Yes it’s removable. Just a little plastic piece. I use a sharp knife to get under the edge

[@jacobusb4620]

Got a recommended iPhone app for checking RPM?

[@referenceanalog]

Jacobus, there are a few out there and most do a reasonable job. I don’t think they are quite as accurate or easy to use as a strobe though. The strobe you can see instant feedback whereas the phone apps generally make you wait 10 seconds or so until it decides what it is. So overall a little easier to dial it in with a $100 or less strobe

[@AmazonasBiotop]

Not the most accurate way to do that job. I do not get it the "expert" has on the platter one of the pricier and greater test records. And he do NOT use it beside to put a acrylic block on it (any other record could do that). 🤔 The record is "The ultimate analogue test LP" from analogue productions catalogue NR AAPT1. Track 10 side A has a standard wow & flutter test signal; 3150Hz. With a sideloded android app "PlatterSpeed" you simply play THAT track.. ..have a speed indicator graphs calculation of min and max deviation, with mean frequency plus graphs. The microphone is listening for the frequency if it is turning to fast then it is of course > 3150Hz, and vice versa. The OK zone is ±0.2% and it has a resolution of a tenth of a Hz. What app phone on a spinning no a platter could do that.. not eaven a fancy strobe disc can do this last party trick.. think of it you are spinning a LP and with the stylus in the grove with its drag. A ideal use and exactly the same use case when we play our records.. it is the optimal way to set the speed. It is irritating that he has the tools but don't use them in the best possible way. Thanks for the video!

[@referenceanalog]

Optimize, the test LP was one of my early tools. I simply use it as utility tool now, and it has to be used if you plan to use the foz. I personally use the Analog Magik software for detailed results. There are many tools out there and many ways of doing things. I actually don’t use the acrylic block for my own stuff, I was just showing another example of how something works that exists in the market. I probably should have showed how to use the test Lp but frankly the video series was already getting LONG lol :)

[@twochaudiomg2578]

That's. George ? Played with. Jerry , Elaine , Newman,

[@RealHIFIHelp]

wow

[@joemartin6439]

I am a Canadian a I see a Scout 2 turntable I am checking out

[@francohifi]

Come si fa ad ascoltare musica con uno strumento così complicato, dove se casualmente sposti anche solo di poco un piccolo dettaglio, devi rimettere tutto a posto un altra volta ed è tutto molto complicato. Le complicazioni in HI-Fi non le sopporto ma ovviamente questo è il mio modo di pensare. La musica deve essere relax, non uno stress.

[@AmazonasBiotop]

Wow those VPI unipivot nightmare designs. There have been several people that has issues with their cartridge getting destroyed (cantelever gets twisted by time in its mounting point) by the design flaw regarding the more or less no anti scate adjustment. It is like VPI is not believing in physics ;) But VPI have a anti skate assessory for their tone arm. And what is that for imprecise clump of junk for the tracking force and azimuth. The cheapest and simplest way for the manufacturer but the most inaccurate and cruel way to do it with minimal accuracy. Good video!

[@marcspardello1254]

Did you just come on here to complain? If you don't like something write the engineering and design people over at VPI. You sound miserable. It is a turntable, there are many to chose from, go find a company that you feel believes in physics and leave the comment section to people who actually need help setting up their TT or want to thank they poster for putting up a video.

[@homerjones3291]

Matt himself has trashed a bunch of cartridges in his time- maybe not so much any more. Isn’t it ironic that a table that you have to monitor for speed issues makes you buy extra accessories to check it on a regular basis, but a Technics (which you really never have to check to confirm) is always present on their tables.

[@brandonpatrick2631]

it's a beatiful turntable but it' s tooo complicated

[@TheAudioBelle]

It is very complicated! I bought it but I am kind of afraid of it! Love it though. :)

[@U240robert]

@@TheAudioBelleexactly 😂

[@cobar5342]

This is terribly recorded and filmed