VPI Prime
High-end turntables · 2015–present In production
£4,500 UK RRP
The deck that brought VPI's 3D-printed unipivot tonearm to a wider audience, on a heavy aluminium/MDF plinth with an inverted bearing.
Checked against the manufacturer’s site: 2026-07
Who it suits
Best suited to: an established system where the amp, speakers and room can resolve what this deck retrieves from the groove. Less ideal for: a first turntable — the same budget goes much further spent on mid-range separates first.
Compatibility and setup
- Manual operation: you cue and lift the tonearm by hand at the start and end of each side — there’s no auto-return or auto-lift.
Good to know
- No built-in phono stage — use an amplifier with a phono input or add a separate phono preamplifier.
- Sold without a cartridge fitted — budget for a compatible cartridge and setup before first use.
- Professional setup of tracking force, alignment, azimuth and arm height is worth budgeting for at this level.
Specifications
| Drive | belt drive |
|---|---|
| Speeds | 33/45 rpm |
| Operation | manual |
| Cartridge included | sold bare |
| Built-in phono stage | No |
| USB output | No |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Platter | aluminium, 20 lb |
| Tonearm | VPI 3D-printed 10" |
| Dimensions | Footprint 19½" x 13¾"; overall 21⅜" x 15¾" (W x D), height not published |
| Weight | 19.96 kg |
| Years | 2015–present |
How it sits in the catalogue
Its belt-drive mechanism is the majority choice in the database (130 of 159). On price it sits mid-pack of its category — 48% of priced high-end decks cost less.
Live merchant offers
Checking current in-stock offers for VPI Prime…
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