VPI have introduced two new Prime 21 turntables that are said to “offer a big step up in sound from that of the outgoing Prime model”. VPI has achieved this by re-designing the deck and making major upgrades to the components. A new aluminium top plate has been used to “brace the turntable chassis to deaden any unwanted resonance that can confuse the sound. The addition of high mass aluminium casework to the motor improves its damping for a steadier performance”.
An all-new 3D-printed tonearm is pre-mounted and the unipivot of earlier Prime models has been replaced by a new gimbal system. The isolation feet are the same as those used in VPI’s anniversary edition HW40 turntable (RRP £15,000) and offer “supreme balance and dampening”.
The Prime 21+ model adds a Shyla cartridge (custom made by Audio Technica) and the VPI Weisline tonearm cable (manufactured by Nordost). All Prime 21 turntables are designed so that end users can calibrate and connect them in well under twenty minutes. No specialist hi-fi assembly skills are required, and all set-up tools are supplied. An instructional video is supplied on a USB stick for those owners who would like assistance.
Key features
Solid machined 53mm thick chassis with aluminium plate. Painted textured black.
10 1⁄2″ gimbal 3D-printed tonearm
Stainless steel motor
Stainless steel and Delrin record clamp
HW40 isolation reference feet
The £4,500 Prime 21 is available for order from October. The £6,500 Prime 21+ is available from November.