[Minn Mark]

So...
Anybody have the dish on VPI moving to gimbaled arms? The Traveler TT has a gimbaled arm; now I see the Classic series has updates, including what looks loke a motor repositioning, and the gimbaled arm.  I have a Classic I with the 10.5 unipivot, which with a Sumiko Blackbird, IMHO is a grest sounding table. So....why the switch to gimbaled arms at VPI?

PS- looking forward to a review of the 3D printed unipivot arm ($$) released of late as well.

Happy to read your responses.

Mark

[neobop]

I doubt that - moving to gimbaled arms that is.   The 3D arm is now for sale for $3K to $5K depending on length.  The only gimbal arm I see in their line up is on the Traveler. 

Did you see a prototype or a modified table?  Maybe they're coming out with a less expensive Classic with a Traveler arm?

Repositioning the pulley would be logical, but I don't know how much it would effect performance.  The theory is that performance would be enhanced by having the pulley directly opposite the arm pivot on a straight line intersecting the spindle.  The way it looks now, that would mean putting it further back.  It also looks like the platter would have to be moved as well.  I'm looking at this from beauty shots so I'm not exactly sure, but that's how it looks.
neo

[Devil Doc]

A more sophisticated gimbaled arm is now offered on the Classic 2.http://www.analogplanet.com/content/vpi-debuts-new-4000-classic-companion-turntable-complete-tone-arm-and-custom-grado-cartridge
Music Direct, for one, has them for sale for about four grand.
Doc

[neobop]

Couldn't find it at Music Direct, not today.  Looked at all the VPI, maybe I missed it or they sold out. 

With this new version of the gimbal arm and bundled with a Grado Sonota,  it's essentially the same price as the other version.  Some people have trouble using unipivots or don't like them.  VPI certainly has an extensive lineup.  This looks like a move to cover all bases rather than a shift to conventional arms, but you never know.  Maybe they'll come out with a 3D version.
neo

[Devil Doc]

Oops, try Acoustic Sounds.

Doc

[roscoeiii]

On VPI's Facebook page they said they'd add something on unipivot vs gimballed to their webpage. They mentioned Grado MI carts as working better with gimballed designs.

[YoungDave]

I have the 3d printed arm in the 12.7 version on my HR-X.  Have had it for about a month but am not yet ready to write a critique.  Have listened to it a lot and like the sound.

[roscoeiii]

Anxiously awaiting your review.

What cart are you using?

[Minn Mark]

+1

Looking forward to your critique on the 3D arm.

Mark

[nnck]

By now people may have seen that VPI has indeed added a gimbaled arm design to at least one model of it's Classic series (Classic Companion: http://vpiindustries.com/table-companion.htm). Now that there seems to be some choice in the Classic series of either Unipivot vs Gimbaled arms, I'm interested in learning more.

Can anyone explain what a gimbaled arm is? How it works? How is it different from a unipivot (I have a Scout so I am familiar with these)?
Pros/Cons of these arm designs anyone?

[Ericus Rex]

Gimbal-ing is where there are two different sets of bearings for the different ranges of motion.  There is the bearing that controls the rotation of the arm and there is another bearing (usually a pair) that controls the up-down range of motion (gun turrets on ships are usually gimbaled, if that visual helps).  Unipivots have a single 'bearing' point that allows all ranges of motion, unfortunately including the wobble which isn't present in gimbaled arms.  Unis have less friction by definition.  As for the sound differences, I'll let someone with more uni experience than me take on that one.

[poseidonsvoice]

Is the ability to change the azimuth available on a VPI gimbaled arm or on the Traveler? Can azimuth be corrected on a unipivot VPI arm?

Best,
Anand.

[Grbluen]

Yes, azimuth can be corrected on the VPI unipivots.