Soundsmith CI 'Counter Intuitive' Accurate Tracking Force/ Azimuth- VPI Tonearms

Undoubtedly this is one item that is a must for a VPI. Aweful VPI still not realizing its importance to make it an integral part of their system. It can be near to impossible to adjust both the tracking force and azimuth to a desired setting without this gear on a VPI turntable.For those owned but not yet had a chance to configure VPI, both tracking force and azimuth adjustment is done using counter weight. Ones the screw on the counterweight is loosened either azimuth or tracking force is easily disturbed. To get both accurately with the counter weight alone initially is a pain.How does this gear help?First setup the counter weight to the closest azimuth and tracking force. Tighten the screw so that counter weight is no longer moving. Now using this gear fine tune tracking force and/or azimuth to most accurate value needed for your setting.Moving the counter intuitive forward and backwards adjusts (fine tunes) tracking force and turning it left and right fine tunes azimuth (balances tonearm on the unipivot suspension).For those wondering what is included for the near $50 is two stickers and one counter weight intuitive, which is the black half circle. Weights are not included.For whether it is worth or not, possibly yes, primarily for its idea, design and use and secondly VPIs lacking to include it part of the system.

Setting up a cartridge on my VPI arm is a bit of an undertaking, and this kit helps a bit. But it's still an undertaking, so don't expect miracles. Doubt I'd buy again at this price.

I have to admit when first receiving this 'kit' from Amazon, I was a little disappointed. It's a plastic c clamp with two stickers! And what a pain in the butt it must be to center that sticker just right, etc. So I drug my feet and pondered returning it for a few days. I felt a little more patient today so I figured I'd give this a go and get it dialed in as best I could. Setup probably took 30 mins. This being from the time I removed my 140g weight to the time I played my first record. Dialing in Azimuth has been a royal pain on my VPI Classic. Which is what prompted me to purchase this little gadget. Well as I sit here listening to Led Zep I, I can't help but wonder why it took me so long to not only buy this thing, but install it! I am utterly impressed at the outcome! I have not been able to dial in my Azimuth this well since buying my deck a little over a month ago. So as you can read (assuming anyone reads this review this deep), I give this Soundsmith Coun ter Intuitive my highest recommendation if you own a VPI deck with no Azimuth ring. Thank you Soundsmith!

Wasn't quite as easy as I thought it would be and the "low friction fit" wasn't quite as low friction as stated in the instructions... but still, it makes the fine adjustment, especially azimuth, on my VPI Scout 1.1 much easier.The way I got around the tight fit was to sand the inner radius of the weight, starting with 150, then to 600 grit to clean it up. I got it just right, so it's much easier to slide around the grid sticker. Don't overdo it, or you won't have enough friction to lock-in your settings.Unfortunately, I had to add a bit of mass (1g copper washer and a slice of double stick tape on the underside of the headshell) to the headshell to make up for the extra weight. I will order the Soundsmith EZ Mount screws and that will solve the problem, I've been meaning to order a set anyway.Overall, I think it's a good investment and is worth its weight in gold. Peter could charge much more for this system if he wanted to, but he chose to make it affordable to us. Good on him.

Works very well for fine tuning Azimuth and VTF.

Makes life a lot easier. Complaints about price are foolish, this works perfectly and probably saved an hour of struggling with the stack weight. My time is worth far more than the cost of the product.

The Soundsmith Counter Intuitive makes setting up your turntable a breeze rather than frustrating.

Makes set up of my pain in the ass alot easier