High-Performance Belt-Drive Turntable With Jmw-12 3d Tonearm
The VPI Prime X is a high-performance manual belt-drive turntable built around VPI's established Prime platform, with upgraded isolation and a longer JMW-12 3D tonearm supplied as standard. It combines a substantial 12-inch aluminium platter, rigid MDF-and-steel chassis construction and precision tonearm adjustment for serious vinyl playback.
Designed and manufactured by VPI Industries, the Prime X is intended for listeners looking for a highly adjustable analogue front end capable of supporting a wide range of cartridges and system configurations.
Key Features
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JMW-12 3D Tonearm – The Prime X includes VPI's 12-inch 3D-printed JMW tonearm as standard, with adjustable counterweight, azimuth side weights and VTA adjustment.
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20 lb 12-inch Aluminium Platter – The substantial platter provides a high-mass rotating platform for stable record playback.
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HW-40 Isolation Feet – Prime X incorporates upgraded HW-40 isolation feet compared with the original Prime platform.
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24-Pole AC Synchronous Motor – The 300 RPM motor provides the drive system for the belt-driven platter.
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Rigid Chassis Construction – The chassis combines vinyl-wrapped MDF with steel reinforcement.
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Extensive Tonearm Adjustment – The JMW-12 provides adjustable tracking geometry and cartridge setup parameters, including VTA and azimuth.
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Upgrade Potential – VPI lists options including the Periphery Ring Clamp, Analog Drive System and Reference Feet.
Jmw-12 3d Tonearm
The JMW-12 is one of the defining elements of the Prime X. Its 300 mm pivot-to-spindle distance and 313.0 mm effective length provide a long-arm geometry designed for precise cartridge alignment.
The arm uses VPI's 3D construction incorporating materials including epoxy resin and Delrin, with VPI copper-weave internal wiring. Its effective mass is specified at 10.5 g, while the tonearm incorporates an adjustable drop counterweight, azimuth side weights, VTA adjustment and VPI's Limo connection.
High-Mass Platter & Precision Drive
The Prime X uses a 12-inch, 20 lb aluminium platter driven by a 300 RPM, 24-pole AC synchronous motor. VPI specifies wow and flutter at 0.05%, speed accuracy at 0.05% and rumble at 80 dB down.
The combination of a substantial platter and precision mechanical platform is designed to provide a stable foundation for cartridge and tonearm performance.
Isolation & Chassis Design
The Prime X builds on the original Prime's chassis architecture while adding HW-40 isolation feet. The chassis is constructed from vinyl-wrapped MDF and steel, creating a substantial platform around the platter bearing, motor and tonearm assembly.
VPI's isolation approach is intended to reduce the effects of unwanted mechanical energy reaching the record and cartridge during playback.
Features
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Manual belt-drive turntable.
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JMW-12 3D tonearm included.
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12-inch, 20 lb aluminium platter.
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300 RPM, 24-pole AC synchronous motor.
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HW-40 isolation feet.
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Vinyl-wrapped MDF and steel chassis.
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Adjustable VTA.
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Adjustable azimuth.
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Adjustable counterweight.
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Azimuth side weights.
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VPI Limo tonearm connection.
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Copper-weave internal tonearm wiring.
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Interchangeable tonearm architecture.
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Made in the USA.
Specifications
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Model: VPI Prime X
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Type: Manual belt-drive turntable
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Chassis: Vinyl-wrapped MDF and steel
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Platter: 12-inch aluminium
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Platter Weight: 20 lb
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Tonearm: JMW-12 3D
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Pivot-to-Spindle: 300 mm
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Effective Length: 313.0 mm
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Effective Mass: 10.5 g
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Overhang: 13 mm
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Offset Angle: 17.37°
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Internal Tonearm Wire: VPI copper weave
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Motor: 300 RPM, 24-pole AC synchronous
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Wow & Flutter: 0.05%
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Speed Accuracy: 0.05%
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Rumble: 80 dB down
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Footprint: 19½ × 13¾ inches
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Overall Size: 21⅜ × 15¾ inches
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Total Weight: 44 lb
Why Buy From Soundtrails
A high-end turntable performs as part of a complete analogue system. Cartridge selection, tonearm adjustment, phono-stage matching, support and isolation all influence the final result.
At SoundTrails, our Audio Video Architects can help configure the VPI Prime X as part of a complete high-fidelity vinyl system, from cartridge and phono-stage selection through installation, precision setup and system integration.
