VPI Avenger has arrived

[Analog21]

Well, finally got things going. I upgraded from the VPI Prime to a VPI Avenger. Took the day to set things up... took about 3 hours, cartridge alignment taking the bulk of the time. Here is a quick photo but more to come soon!. I am demoing the Transfiguration Axia from my dealer. Figured it couldn't hurt, at would give me a baseline of where I want to go for the final cartridge choice. I know I'm going to want more body and warmth than the Axia, but a good starting point.

First impressions compared to the Prime in my system: Avenger with the 12" 3d arm is smoother, tighter, and cleaner. Immediately I could tell how controlled the music is. The Prime seemed very dynamic but not controlled. I wouldn't exactly call the Prime sloppy, but the Avenger has a smoothness in each register transition in a very controlled manner, even in more difficult passages. It can handle the hardest of passages with ease it seems. With the Axia, it is a very accurate sound, great sense of realism and very tight. Not much bloom or air between instruments, but this will improved with my next cartridge. I'm leaning toward the Soundsmith Paua. I'll have a busy few days, but very exciting! I will let you know how the cartridges sound over the next couple weeks too. Enjoy the listening.

[allenh]

Congratulations! The Avenger is a sharp looking table. Looking forward to your continued listening impressions!

[MylesBAstor]

Congrats on the table!!! A hard table to beat sonically. Did you have any issues leveling the table? Someone told me the tripod Avenger is a little harder to level than the tables with four feet.

I like how VPI has sorted out their current table line: 1) Scout line; 2) Prime line; and 3) Avenger line. (though according to Mat, as much as they'd like to discontinue the HRX, VPI continues to get enough orders in to continue making the table!)

There's a lot to like about the Avenger upgrade path but what I like most of all is how easy it is to mount another arm or two on the table from the get go!

[MylesBAstor]

I don't think you are alone in your regard for the HRX! Mat is surprised by the number orders for the HRX despite it not being on the website. Did you see the pic of the Prime Signature that has the HRX look?

[Analog21]

Though I love the look of the HRX, The biggest drawbacks to the HRX are twofold: 1) The size is enormous (you'll need at least 26-28" Width). 2) You cannot add a second arm to the HRX unless you somehow rig a mount. VPI stopped making the adapter to mount a second arm on the HRX because it is a bear on VPI's machines. Mat just posted this on the VPI forum, stating the customer needed to make there own adapter mount.

[MylesBAstor]

Think the same holds true for the TNT too. My buddies second arm mount looks jury rigged. One of the things liked about the tripod design is all three mountings are identical. Therefore one variable that can affect the sound is effectively removed.

And yes, the HRX is a real road machine. 😎

[Johnny Vinyl]

Congratulations! She's a beauty!

[tom_hankins]

Congratulations! Got to hear the Avenger in many rooms, with many different cartridges at CAF sound really good. BTW, a friend uses the SS Paua on a Classic signature w/3d arm and it sounds wonderful.

[Analog21]

Awesome to hear Tom. I am leaning toward the Paua and your recommendation helps quite a lot. Thanks for sharing. I'll let you know when it has arrived and how it compares.

[Ritmo]

Congrats on your Avenger - it looks great!

[Bill Hart]

Very handsome table. Question: you said that there wasn't as much bloom or "air" compared to the Prime. I assume you were using the same cartridge. Wonder why. Unless there some aspect of "break-in" to the arm/wires, I wouldn't expect that with a table upgrade. Perhaps a difference in set-up in a longer arm? Curious to find out what your thoughts are after you have played with it more (of course, your memory of the old table/arm's sound will be just that).
Enjoy. I tend to like tables with exposed skeletons as an aesthetic matter.

[Analog21]

Very handsome table. Question: you said that there wasn't as much bloom or "air" compared to the Prime. I assume you were using the same cartridge. Wonder why. Unless there some aspect of "break-in" to the arm/wires, I wouldn't expect that with a table upgrade. Perhaps a difference in set-up in a longer arm? Curious to find out what your thoughts are after you have played with it more (of course, your memory of the old table/arm's sound will be just that).
Enjoy. I tend to like tables with exposed skeletons as an aesthetic matter.

Hi Bill, I probably wasn't clear in my statement. The cartridge was different than on my Prime, so my assumption is the cartridge. The Transfiguration Axia is known for being very tight, precise, accurate, and neutral without accentuating anything. So I could tell the bloom and air had diminished. I don't think it was the table at all. These characteristics are more associated with a cartridge choice rather than the table. I ordered a Soundsmith Paua which is known for being warmer and sultry, having more separation and air, so we'll see. I keep everybody posted on things. Thanks for your kinds. The longer 12" 3d arm makes things a lot smoother for sure. Still dynamic but smoother at the same time than the 10" 3d on the Prime.

[Bill Hart]

Hi Bill, I probably wasn't clear in my statement. The cartridge was different than on my Prime, so my assumption is the cartridge. The Transfiguration Axia is known for being very tight, precise, accurate, and neutral without accentuating anything. So I could tell the bloom and air had diminished. I don't think it was the table at all. These characteristics are more associated with a cartridge choice rather than the table. I ordered a Soundsmith Paua which is known for being warmer and sultry, having more separation and air, so we'll see. I keep everybody posted on things. Thanks for your kinds. The longer 12" 3d arm makes things a lot smoother for sure. Still dynamic but smoother at the same time than the 10" 3d on the Prime.

That makes more sense now. Looks like you'll have some fun. And make some good music!

[MylesBAstor]

Hi Bill, I probably wasn't clear in my statement. The cartridge was different than on my Prime, so my assumption is the cartridge. The Transfiguration Axia is known for being very tight, precise, accurate, and neutral without accentuating anything. So I could tell the bloom and air had diminished. I don't think it was the table at all. These characteristics are more associated with a cartridge choice rather than the table. I ordered a Soundsmith Paua which is known for being warmer and sultry, having more separation and air, so we'll see. I keep everybody posted on things. Thanks for your kinds. The longer 12" 3d arm makes things a lot smoother for sure. Still dynamic but smoother at the same time than the 10" 3d on the Prime.

The one thing that hit me over the head when going from the 10.5 arm (I had the 12-inch previously but the Super Scoutmaster could only accommodate the shorter arm) back to the 12-inch was the improvement in sound in the first inch or two of the outside of the album. That sonic change drove me nuts.

[spinblackcircle]

I've felt that way, I thought it was just me or that I had an alignment/setup issue. Maybe I'm not nuts after all. Yeah no...

[Analog21]

Just got the Soundsmith Paua set up and sounds amazing and beautiful right out of the box. Will let it burn in and play around with the loading: recommended is 470 - 1000 and my Zesto phono preamp only gives 500, 600, 800, 1000 in that range. Not complaining though, and think I found a cartridge for the long haul! I love it so far.

[Billy Shears]

I wish I had that many loading options :-) Not worried you wont find something that works...

[MylesBAstor]

Just got the Soundsmith Paua set up and sounds amazing and beautiful right out of the box. Will let it burn in and play around with the loading: recommended is 470 - 1000 and my Zesto phono preamp only gives 500, 600, 800, 1000 in that range. Not complaining though, and think I found a cartridge for the long haul! I love it so far.

I don't think too many phono stages give one a lot of options in that loading range.

[Ritmo]

My VPI Avenger arrives today. Just in time for the weekend!

[Analog21]

Enjoy! I guess I know what you'll be doing this weekend

[MylesBAstor]

Congrats Mike!

[Ritmo]

Indeed! UPS delivered it last evening. After a good workout this morning, I'll begin unpacking and setup.

[Ritmo]

Here is the system with the new Avenger. Looks great and sounds sublime. I'm very happy with the Avenger/Cadenza Black/Zesto Andros 1.2 analog front end.

[spinblackcircle]

Ooohhhh Mag Drive! Nice!

[mep]

Wow! That's quite the system!