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VPI’s 3D "Printed" Tone Arm: Does it Sound Better, Worse, or the Same As the Standard Metal JMW Memorial Arm?

Michael Fremer | Apr 20, 2014

Stereophile's May issue includes my first of a two part review of VPI's Classic Direct Drive turntable. Does the new 3D printed tone arm sound different than the company’s standard metal one? Does it sound better, or not as good? I give my opinion in the review.

You make the call here. Here are two 96/24 files. Are they both the same file? Or, if you hear one sounding better, state your preference.

If the files are different, one file features the Lyra Atlas installed in the standard VPI JMW arm mounted on VPI's new Classic Direct Drive turntable.

The other file features the Lyra Atlas installed on the new 3D printed tone arm on the same turntable. All measured set-up parameters were identical.

The phono preamp is the Ypsilon VPS100. The preamp is the D'Agostino Momentum while the A/D converter is Ayre's QA-9. The interconnect between the phono pre and preamp is TARA Labs Evolution, which replaces the Zero.

Please vote and leave a comment explaining your vote.

File "A"

File "B"

COMMENTS

file b

Submitted by tzh21y on Fri, 2017-10-13 05:39

just sounded better to my ears. file a sounded too forward.

answer?

Submitted by tzh21y on Fri, 2017-10-13 05:41

which is which?

I know this is an old topic,

Submitted by Johnnyjajohnny on Fri, 2019-08-23 04:14

I know this is an old topic, but there was a 2 dB volume level difference between the two files: A was louder than B. So obviously, they will sound different. If the volume level for A was set too loud, B would sound more pleasant and relaxed. If the volume level for A was set appropriately, B would sound dull.

The 5 year cliffhanger

Submitted by marktrav on Fri, 2020-01-24 06:16

Michael, you never told anyone which file corresponds with which arm. Which is which?

The post presented me with a

Submitted by kanelime on Thu, 2024-05-09 01:17

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