VPI Prime Setup Video

The wait is finally over! Time to learn more about your VPI Prime turntable! Check out our setup video on the Prime and learn how to easily start listening to your records!

[@Dave30867]

Ron has convinced me that the V.P.I Prime is for me when i have the funds . I think Ron deserved to keep that table for such an awesome review and setup guide .

[@markymarc9339]

Excellent video! Easy to follow and covers everything (including all the important minor details with anti-skating and cartridge alignment). I was able to set up my new Prime and calibrate everything last night. Awesome turntable!

[@veteq101]

After watching your review on the "Prime" I decided to buy one. Great sounding table.

[@djruffing]

Hey VPI Guys! This video was fascinating to me and I loved the "attitude" of the video. Helped answer a lot of questions that just don't have answers in my VPI Scout manual. Once I watched this, I went back to the Scout and reconfigured the whole thing. You should have a similar video for the Scout or at least point out some of the subtle differences between the config of the different machines. I am quite happy with my VPI! Don't underestimate the power of venues such as KZbin to reach out to your customers and reinforce their decision to buy a VPI.

[@1969plato]

Just bought a new VPI Prime Scout, this video was a lifesaver! Hope they make one for my turntable too, but this was close enough to get the basics down and the table set up.

[@sebastianspatafore5117]

thank you VPI!!! that videos are great and very helpful...

[@BoostedIS]

Ron, I appreciate the tutorial! I just bought and setup this very table and you made it easy for this first timer. Clear and concise with no added fat!

[@remborembo4750]

The Beautiful video. Professional functioning(working) the Master. Bravo!!!

[@PromoVisionNZ]

Looks like it is less complicated to prepare space shuttle for take off. LOL

[@Koolbob2]

I just purchased a second hand VPI Classic from a friend (he upgraded to a VPI Avenger). The VPI tonearm is unlike any I have encountered before and I learned so much from watching this video. Thank you for making these videos to help your customers get the most from their VPI products.

[@vpiindustries]

Koolbob2 glad to have you in the family and Happy Holidays!

[@robertsupercalifragilistic7404]

One of the best setup videos ever.

[@Telssa1]

I am thinking about buying one of these, but was afraid of the complexity until watching this video. Well done.

[@stevenmbell]

Great Video! Your Name is Ron is it Not? Any way Ron. I do not own a VPI but I do own a decent ProJect that has a few Mods. I am a novice when it comes to setting up a Turntable. From your video I am able to discern how my setup should go. The thing that worried me most was the wiring. They are so delicate that I was fearful of touching them.My fear is know replaced with some knowledge on how to do things. For that I am very grateful. Your Channel gives us Audiophiles a place to learn and ask questions. My nearest Record Store and or Audio Store is over 100 miles away.Being in a wheelchair dosn't help much either.Point being I cannot just go to the Store when I need an answer to a question. You have made my life just that much easier,Thank you! Peace My Friend!

[@MikeGervasi]

He taught me how to set my speaker placement correctly. Now he taught me this.

[@60s70s80sMusicFan]

Very nice table!

[@1litespeed1]

Great video, it made setup a breeze.

[@erics9754]

I find setting up turntables fun and easy. I guess in this instant gratification and dumbed down society this can be challenging lol.

[@pip5528]

Agreed. The non-audiophile teens that get into vinyl don't even bother saving up for entry-level gear like an AT-LP120USB or Debut Carbon. They buy Crosley and other cheap turntables that not only don't sound very good, but they cause significant wear to their vinyl due to their poor design. Not to mention they don't usually know to clean their vinyl or that it even needs to be cleaned on a regular basis. I myself am a 17-year-old whose interest in vinyl initially sparked in April. I didn't become a genuine audiophile until a few months later. I have done obsessive research on turntables and vinyl since then and even prefer it over every other medium, although I still use Spotify for the purpose of checking out music and buying it on vinyl later. I do use digital files to a degree. I would prefer FLAC at 24-bit/192 KHz if I could get my hands on it. I prefer FLAC over MP3 in general, even if I don't have the highest sample rates and bitrates.

[@danroth11]

Per their forums, what they are now recommending is to use White Lithium Grease w/PTFE at the 1 year interval. Use Q-tips w/alcohol to clean out the old oil/old grease when you do the 1yr maintenance.

[@estebannemo1957]

Thank God! At last! A maintenance video would be helpful as well. Lubing the bearing, adding oil, etc.

[@homerjones3291]

Best setup video I’ve seen for a VPI turntable, putting aside all of the gyrations you have to go through to get the VTA/tracking force/azimuth all playing well together, without trashing the cantilever. Guess that’s what stylus guards are for. Oh yeah, don’t forget the baby powder for the belt. And getting the speed right by fiddling with the belt grooves and the distance of the motor away from the table. Wondering - do these make a pop through the speakers when you turn them on and off like other VPI tables?

[@davidsolomon9997]

Fantastic instruction!

[@oscaroscar7605]

Grazie ! bellissimo video

[@LuxAudio389]

Aunt Linda may have horrible bat breath, but she has one of the best free record collections one could ever want to have access too. Her get well soup is superb too!🍲 Win win 🐔 dinner. Excellent how to video. Mr Femer, aka Vinyl Jesus would be impressed.

[@jimdailey1018]

you should suggest to vpi that they have you do a video like this for each one of their tables.

[@Thunderbird139]

Huge help thank you!

[@BarakaPDub]

Glad you guys got Ron from New Record Day to do your set up videos.

[@stevenmbell]

***** His name is Ron you know!

[@pip5528]

Ron Brenay is the man.

[@acitizen5186]

I remember back in the day using a penny on the needle to keep it from skipping.

[@andreasleonlandgren3092]

A Citizen great tip!

[@trekjudas]

AWESOMETACULAR!!

[@georgedoughly8682]

My Dream Turntable 🤩

[@faluzo1978]

Great stuff thx

[@sumitgenzyme]

Fantastic🤘😝🤘

[@jselt53]

Thank you.

[@RobertKohut]

Nice!!

[@perrylc8812]

Cool you can listen to music on it without connecting amp or speakers.

[@RoadtoNowhere73]

Good video, thanks. Its unfortunate VPI does not offer a setup video for the Classic 1, but this is close enough. It took me the better part of 24hrs (no joke, I had to give up one day and start again fresh the next) to get my table setup properly (?), even then it's frustrating knowing that its not up to, say, to a Michael Fremer "measured" setup standard. Sure, cartridge install is rather easy. But proper alignment proved more difficult than it ever has before on any other turntable I've owned. The real challenge came with tonearm alignment. Every time tracking force was set, horizontal alignment was out of whack. And my Classic 1 doesn't have screw out counterweights like the Prime does. Every time horizontal alignment was set, tracking force got screwed up. I can't help but think this is because the cartridge is not set properly (its at an angle from the tonearm head), although according to the VPI tonearm jig, it is. Damn, I'm not afraid to admit this requires someone with more patience and micro-manual dexterity with tiny measurements. I already have the feeling achieving a perfect setup of my new Classic 1 will not be achieved. I may have to outsource for professional help. Meanwhile, I just want to play records, but now I have the itching anxiety that I'm applying uneven pressure on my record grooves and using too much this, too much that, not enough this, etc etc. and I haven't even started setting VTA yet.

[@keithmoran8004]

I’m in the same situation tonight. 5 years after you. This is a nightmare. Still have your table?

[@RoadtoNowhere73]

@@keithmoran8004 no, I sold it

[@bojackhorseman3787]

What are you rocking now

[@vitocorleone9054]

Loved my Prime Scout sound but the tonearm is a nightmare. Took forever to set it up, and VPI does NOT provide instructions with the tables (as of 2 years ago). And there isn't a Prime Scout setup video, and that arm is different than the Prime. Then I accidentally bumped the table and the arm got knocked off the pivot and I couldn't get it back into alignment. Sold the Prime Scout right afterward.

[@SaltShack]

Motor oil is not for the platter bearing it is for the motor applied at the top of the pulley. VPI sells grease, lithium I think, I use Aero Shell a supremely high quality very long lasting grease designed for use in aero space applications for the platter bearing.

[@jwnh57]

When checking the azimuth surely the angle is so crucial that if the small aluminium rod is very slightly off centre it will make a lot of difference?

[@adamhanson4908]

I wasn't sure how to remove it from a box. Thanks!

[@donriemer]

Great video, super helpful. Thanks for posting. One issue with this VPI arm... given all those adjustments, I am stunned that you don't include a fine adjustment for VTF. Every arm I've ever set up had both coarse (sliding weight) and fine (threaded ring) adjustments for VTF. Given the cost of this table, how could you not include this? I'm just sayin. Thanks again. And for the record, I have an old VPI HW-19 that sounds great.

[@jacobusb4620]

Trying to adjust my new table & arm now and it's way more difficult than with my previous traveller. I miss that little knob at the end of the arm to adjust the VTF.

[@cheekokooi3284]

I think the tone arm is tapered, bigger diameter at the base and slightly smaller towards the cartridge tip. As such, it will not work if we are to adjust the tone arm to be horizontal/parallel to plater when setting the VTA as per this video?

[@adolphhernandez7615]

I just replaced my cartridge, it took me nearly 90 minutes. Such a finicky process. Took me forever to get the tracking weight right. I gave up and used bluetack to get the it right.

[@lbfootba2]

Is there a cover for the bearing housing under the plinth that you chose not to put on?

[@jonathanreddish8590]

hi VPI... i have a HRX, its epic... i changed mats, and i think ive got the VTA adjusted, but the tonearm lifter will not work... how do i get the lifter to rise up? also, is a visual leveling adequate for the VTA? thanks!!!!

[@fpk2448]

Love the look of those speakers, what are they?

[@steelydanfan100]

Late reply here, they are Gallo Acoustics . I don’t believe they are still in business.

[@Luka7256]

Hello: Can you use (ADJUST+) software with this turntable? As seen in the video setup seems innacurate azimut. Thanks

[@wa4aos]

Am I to understand that the anti-skating pressure is set in opposition or relative to the flex of a stiff wire? This seems very crude for such a high-end table since this adjustment will be problematic over time and with temperature variations. Please enlighten me if I am mistaken. I do like your alignment jig. This should be very helpful with cartridge skew adjustments. I had a VPI Reference table back in the 90's, sane one in FATAL ATTRACTION, that I liked very much but later sold it in favor of another table that so far, I have not been able to top, though, I am always looking for new products. I suspect we have come about as far as possible with vinyl sources and CD's are actually almost listenable now. LOL Regards, Glenn

[@TeensierPython]

Watching this video actually convinced me not to puchase this turntable for some of the same reasons you stated. I also didnt like the "looseness" of the tone arm pivot. Seens like it would pick up vibrations from sound easy, and it also doesnt seem to hold the cartride solidly in the orientation required.

[@TheMills567]

You missed out on a helluva table. I am sure you got something good though. VPI isn't the only name in town of course. BUT, to address your "concerns": The antiskate mech is completely effective. (Of note: VPI does NOT recommend using antiskate. But they included the mechanism because of demand). Second: it is a unipivot design. Ergo, a little wobble on the way down, but solid as a rock when playing. Also, you CAN add the dual pivot mod to eliminate this. I did just that.

[@TeensierPython]

Yeah, its tough to get the right table. ended up going with a JA Michell gyrodec SE.

[@mharrison557]

Oh I just have to get a vpi prime ❤

[@jimdailey1018]

at the end of the video you are sitting with a classic, I think. I would love one of those. Do a video of how to set it up.

[@vpiindustries]

Hey Jim, glad you liked this video! Ron has been working on more for us. Stayed tuned and you'll be seeing more videos on our product!

[@Juan28140]

+VPI Industries Please, VPI, bring out a video on maintenance ... should not be too hard to produce. Meanwhile, enjoying every second of the classic3/bobolino MM

[@robertdevoy3119]

How heavy is the motor? I guess it needs to be heavy to not move during start up and play.

[@ralex3697]

Did he balance the tonearm with the cartridge cover on ?

[@derrickgarcia303]

When adjusting VTA. I noticed you placed the arm on the stylus gauge is that the proper way to adjust VTA on this TT. I thought you need to put an LP on the platter and adjust from there? Please explain. Thanks!

[@TheMills567]

Good point. However, what he DIDN'T explain is that this particular scale that comes with the Prime has an offset height that approximates average record thickness. That is what he was using.

[@cerealpimp73]

How many times does he say "folks"? I stopped counting at 423.

[@esd9510]

Question. Why is the felt mat that comes with the table not being used? Wouldn’t the record against a SS Platter do more harm than good? Thanks in advance.

[@denisdube8893]

What do you do with the tone arm level ?

[@pf5658]

Hi VPI. I’m looking to buy my very first ever turntable and would like to make it one of yours. Any discount available on this table? Thanks!😊

[@16mmDJ]

yeesh

[@hamidnia7242]

4:02 Does this turntable comes with ortofan black?????

[@somboonvorapanyasakul417]

I have a VPI Prime Signature. I’m a bit confused about setting anti skate. If the limo connecter is connected then the tone arm should swing outward or stay still over the platter? And how many rubber washers are needed on both posts on anti skate mechanism. How do I know if the anti skate setting is correct?

[@frank_tank]

I have the same question. How did you solve this?

[@robertsupercalifragilistic7404]

Fingerprints everywhere

[@robertpearson]

I think you are supposed to set VTA while the stylus is on a record surface not the platter, otherwise the VTA will be wrong. Apart from that, great vid. Thanks

[@stillaliveandwell5291]

Also I thought VTF is to be set first as it affects VTA, so says my Blackbird cartridge manual.

[@dannyjonze]

so you have to do this every time you listen to your records , yeh?

[@dsonyay]

I have a Crosley record player I bought at Walmart. Can I make some of these adjustments on it?

[@jgfergus]

Certainly. First step is to lubricate it thoroughly. That will make it easier to slide into the trash!

[@drewdayss]

@@jgfergus 🤣

[@jawharjack4768]

bystraight outta compton

[@dsonyay]

I wish you'd ditch the People's Republic of China laborer cap,, but pretty good video.

[@66westbound]

Looks like a great turntable, what i don't like is that the motor is not physically attached to the table. It seems like it could easily move by itself.

[@steelydanfan100]

It won’t move. The motor weighs 3 lbs and sits on 4 rubber feet. It’s belt drive, nothing is going anywhere.

[@66westbound]

@@steelydanfan100 Thanks Brooks Davis,That clears up some of my concerns. I just felt that by just looking at the table, the torque & the natural rotational motion from motor would cause some sort of movement. Thanks again.

[@steelydanfan100]

@@66westbound The motor is physically isolated on purpose, no chance of vibration, rumble, anything extraneous noise reaching the massive platter and plinth . The belt itself is a further isolator. Mine is dead solid perfect.

[@twochaudiomg2578]

did VPI KNOW you did this clip

[@npxmnpxm]

Wait a minute, high-frequency vibrations on a light cartridge can do more damage to a record than running at a heavy setting?! Mind = blown.

[@thetruth2929]

i want to buy my dad a turntable for his exhaustive collection of vinyls.... i would love something from vpi, or thorens etc... but i could not possibly afford the big boy prices. What top 5 turntables do you recommend for for around £500? i think that's around $650.... u are sure going to laugh but thats all i got and i know for one , 500-1000 ur prob most likely not going to hear that much difference? I am a keen new audiophile...and i love quality nd have a good ear for sound, especially for songs i know inside out, and i also will be having a lot of my cd collection bought in to vinyl slowly.... s there anything out there i could purchase that has the design and looks of these wonderful turntables? i tried looking at pro-ject but their funky designs are very cheaply built...yet i do realise something that could be a one off cost may be worth spending around $2000.... but to the average listener.... is it really worth it? because another important factor will be an am which i am considering Marantz and some floor standers....Monitor audio/kilpsch etc... Thank you.

[@pip5528]

It's unlikely that you would be able to find turntables with the kind of design VPI uses for an affordable price. You would most likely have to splurge somewhat on a turntable if you want a a similar kind of design to this.

[@michaelhorgan9525]

Pro-ject and Rega are good.

[@pip5528]

Michael Horgan I agree. I also like their designs, although our friend here is looking for something with a similar design approach to VPI or Thorens, which you won't really get unless you splurge on a turntable. The more affordable ones don't quite have that kind of design.

[@flappospammo]

get a technics sl1200 wipes the floor with this audiophool crap

[@thetruth2929]

I've heard they're pretty much the best turntables hence why all he god DJs have them....they're like 1-2k though!!! I know anything good should be costing at least that....tvs etc or a nice watch...at least that price mark....I appreciate and understand that but fuck me lol Isnt there anything under £500?

[@Luxman1958]

in the last seconds of this video, i saw a DUAL turntable in the bottom right corner .... haha DUAL rules !!

[@transcribeded]

The wrong and right pictures when you were doing the cartridge alignment looked identical to me... I may be dumb but a little help?

[@ejshelby5460]

I assume this device is a lot more complex than the classic 1920s record player?

[@tdub77]

Sounds quite a bit better also...

[@dmitrys410]

Man why have i gone with clearaudio satisfy tonearm. Try adjusting antiskate on that one. Been browsing youtube for days- no video tutorials at all. And the advise on the forum is usially from people who don't own one.

[@zoltanmeksz7625]

That's problem, if the arm can turn around those longitudinal axel. I think that's a concept issue with this item.

[@pulezanpulezan4918]

Having to pay 1000s of $ for this TT. Then have to mess with the belt every single time to switch to 45rpm untill it actually brakes?? I don't think so! Long live the direct drive and its quartz lock.

[@Joshualbm]

That wobbly tonearm freaks me out.

[@tdub77]

You can now get these with a Gimbal tone arm. They also make a duo pivot adaptor to help with this

[@pedrocols]

Using both hands to pull the chassis out of the box while ripping one off...lol

[@BigRig965]

I cant believe he's putting his greasy mitts all over that turntable what's this guy's deal?

[@kentonkirkpatrick5225]

Nice video! The obvious fault is touching the drive belt with bare hands. We don't want finger grease causing slippage when playing records. At a minimum, wash your hands well before doing this.

[@TheMills567]

It'll slip regardless lol. However, toss the belt in talc, shake off excess and voila! No slipping

[@sergiolams]

Can't all turntable makers assemble a headshell on which you screw the cartridge and is already algned the same way a P-Mount is? we already have technology for doing this.

[@HatsuneMikuCanada]

For 6k it should come with someone to setup it up for me

[@pierremartin9048]

no platter cover

[@antonitorres5934]

Wher is the cover

[@tdub77]

Check out Stereo squares

[@chrisguygeezer]

Andy Cap. lol

[@mikebrown3211]

bee gees

[@denisdube8893]

I do not agree with something... you should remove the anti-skating too because it exerce à force while making the basic ajustement on the cartridge

[@barrybrennan2135]

This guy can't be an audiophile. Listen to his voice. Any self-respecting audiophile would self-destruct with that tone.

[@CurvedSlightly]

The manual is a bit confusing when it comes to 'cartridge' alignment. The manual tries to suggest that the alignment of the cartridge is irrelevant and, in fact, it is the angle of the stylus that is important. I agree, as the stylus could be angled differently to the cartridge, making the alignment of the cartridge pointless. So the video is wrong.

[@pip5528]

Actually, the alignment of the cartridge is important so that there is no distortion during playback, especially in the inner grooves of the record. The most common methods of alignment are Baerwald, Lofgren, and Stevenson, named after their respective scientists who invented them. It is particularly important with line contact styli such as elliptical.

[@CliffForster]

If I pay four grand for a turntable you had better come to my house and set it up for me.

[@jgfergus]

Four grand is nothing. Learn to do it yourself and not be dependent on others.

[@steelydanfan100]

Really ? 4 grand just gets you to upper middle class in the audiophile TT world. I know. I own this Prime TT.

[@louiscypher7090]

Why does the narrator have his nose plugged?

[@Rheasound]

No gloves used bother me a little sorry.

[@howiefeltersnatch69]

All of this to play an imperfect $20 vinyl record. Don't get me wrong, I love vinyl and have a decent set up (nothing like this) but vinyl will always be an flawed medium. You will always have pops and hisses, dust and needle and vinyl wear no matter what system you have. $120 to $20,000...the formentioned issues will always be present to varying degrees.

[@jgfergus]

There are flaws to all mediums.

[@shanaqbaimuru]

A little too complicated.

[@juliangst]

I think installing Foobar2000 is easier xD

[@ralex3697]

I bought a house quicker, the reason why streaming is popular

[@cinqo7]

This is a nightmare for beginners!! Definitely out of the league!

[@tdub77]

Have you looked at the price of these? No these tables aren't for beginners...

[@steelydanfan100]

You are so right. Guess what ? This is not a beginner TT.

[@jeffmueller6825]

I was going to buy one until I saw this video. Way too complicated to set up. Too many variables of set up to negatively affect the sound. Then that wobbly tonearm. I will buy a REGA. Thank you.

[@tdub77]

You can now get these with a Gimbal tone arm

[@crimbo907]

Steps for setting up a CD player: Step 1 - plug in Cd player Step 2 - insert CDs Thats about 60 less steps than setting up this thing

[@jameschristy6641]

crimbo907 VERY FUNNY!!!!

[@jameschristy6641]

James Christy

[@jimdailey1018]

crimbo907 you probably listen to music on your cell phone.

[@user-oj9ge6ij8x]

Ужас, ну кто так настраивает вертушу, кошмар!!!😤

[@stingray7275]

Das Handling des Gewichtes zur Auflagekraft ist einfach nur Peinlich...