VPI's System

by vpi on
CAT SL-1 Renaissance
VPI HW 19 MK IV
Dressed up ET II with magnesium arm wand
Weight for lighter cartridges
Lenco
Garrard 301 before
Refurbished Garrard 301
Garrard
Manley Steelhead RC
Esoteric K07
Aurender N10
VAC Phi 200
Wilson Sophia

Description

The Lenco started as a Lenco Bogen 75.  The chassis was replaced with a PTP 6 kit, the motor and bearing refurbished and the idler wheel upgraded to Audio Silente. All was mounted on a custom made massive plinth. The Lenco/Triplanar with the Airtight PC-1 runs straight into the CAT loaded down to  150 ohms.  The Garrard 301/ Ortofon TA-110 with a Lyra Delos or Denon 103M runs through a Bob’s Devices SUT and Manley Steelhead MM to the CAT.  The London Decca on the Garrard bypasses the SUT directly to the Steelhead MM. The VPI HW-19 with ET II arm and Koetsu Rosewood Signature runs through the Steelhead MC loaded at 100 ohms to the CAT.  The Aurender N-10 uses the DAC in the Esoteric K-07.  All components except the. VAC amp are on audio stands in a closet behind the front wall.
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Components Toggle details

    • Garrard 301
    Refurbished and new solid plinth.
    • Ortofon TA-110
    Mounted on Garrard 301.  Great match for London Decca Super Gold
    • VPI Industries HW-19 mkIV
    MK IV with TNT platter and SAMA.  Spring suspension replaced with Herbies Tenderfeet.  Feet replaced with Isoacoustics Gaia III feet. Speed control provided by Phoenix Eagle and Roadrunner.
    • Eminent Technology ET II
    Dual pumps, long I-Beam. Mounted on the VPI.
    • Lenco GL75
    Heavily modified Lenco L75 with PTP 6 kit and very heavy plinth.
    • Wheaton Triplanar Mark VII 10 inch.
    Mates well with the Lenco.
    • Air Tight PC-1
    Mounted on the Triplanar
    • Koetsu Rosewood Sig
    Mounted on the ET ii
    • Van Den Hul Black Beauty SPX
    • London Decca London Decca Super Gold
    London Decca Super Gold with Decapod. Line Contact Stylus.  This cartridge Loves the Garrard with damped Ortofon arm.
    • Lyra Delos
    • Denon DL-103M
    LOMC .12.  Redone by Andy Kim at the Needle Clinic.  Boron cantilever and line contact stylus.
    • Phoenix Engineering Eagle PSU & Roadrunner x 2
    One powers the VPI and the other powers the Lenco.
    • Garrard PSU
    An aftermarket Garrard PSU powers my Garrard 301.
    • Bob’s Devices SKY 20 Step-Up Transformer
    • Manley Steelhead RC
    • Convergent Audio SL-1 Renaissance
    • Esoteric K-07
    • VAC Phi 200
    VAC Phi 200 power amp
    • Wilson Audio Sophia
    • Aurender N-10
    Streamer
    • Puritan PSM 156
    Power Conditioner
    • Phoenix Engineering Eagle psu and Roadrunner
    The VPI and Lenco each utilize their own Eagle and Roadrunner.

Comments 3

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vpi,

frogman, Chris, and I (maybe others) have been there on the wiring loom and each will, I am certain, by happy to assist with your concerns.

I loved my VdH MC TWO and miss it terribly. Had it for ~20 years before the de-bodying tragedy.

Lyras are indeed extremely transparent IME, but may trade off some musicality for that magic at times. You are fortunate to have multiple arm wands and fine cartridges. Enjoy! :)

Dave 

dlcockrum

Owner
@dlcockrum 
Thanks Dave,
I've had the wiring loom discussion with a few here on the forum.  I can certainly see the benefit both from fewer connections and less wire drag, however,  the thought of all that wire hanging on the arm with consequent snag points is intimidating.  Or maybe I'm just to anal to have all that wire draped on my ET.  That said, I haven't ruled it out and may just go for it one of these days.

By the way I'm approaching the 100 hour mark on the VDH MC One Special and liking it more every day.  Still doesn't have that Lyra transparency though.  But oh the tonality.

vpi

Super nice system, vpi. Congrats!

Have you considered building a custom wiring loom for your ET-Two? You can eliminate two connection points in the wiring and reduce the influence of the stock tonearm wire on free movement of the arm.

frogman helped me understand the basics of construction/made recommendations for materials. Gene at Take Five Audio provided the materials and did the precise soldering of the tiny tonearm conductors to the cartridge pin clips. I assembled the cable, soldered the XLR connector/wiring interface, and installed it. Potential here for nice gains with the ET-Two IME.

Again, great system. Enjoy!
Dave 

dlcockrum

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