Note that this is a discontinued product. You may want to visit the brand's page here to browse their newer products.
What reviewers think
Bloggers and YouTubers have tried this product—so we've summarized their strongest opinions below. Links to full reviews follow.
All
Fatboy JMW 9 3D
reviews
Manufacturer details
Bearing Type: Uni Pivot
Internal Wire: Nordost Reference Wire
Pivot to spindle: 223mm
Effective length: 240.7mm
Effective mass: 10.2g
Overhang: 17.7mm
Offset angle: 22.85 degrees
Average RMS distortion: 0.36%
Material: 3D Technology Consisting of but not limited to Epoxy resin and Delrin materials
Material: 3D Technology Consisting of but not limited to Epoxy resin and Delrin materials, steel, copper, and aluminum
Product Notes: Adjustable Counterweight, Azimuth side weights, VTA, and Limo Connection.
Brand highlights
Taking a step back to look at reviewers' thoughts of the brand's entire lineup—not just this product—what stands out most is the following:
- VPI turntables utilize a multi-layered plinth construction, often combining acrylic, stainless steel, and MDF, to create a highly inert and resonance-controlled base.
- They embrace 3D printing technology in their tonearm designs, allowing for complex shapes and optimized resonance control within a one-piece structure.
- The brand provides a family-owned business experience, with readily available support and a direct connection to the designers, emphasizing long-term product viability and customer care.
Select products
VPI Cliffwood
- Positioning: The entry-level turntable, designed for those new to high-fidelity audio.
- Description: Offers a solid performance with its aluminum platter and Cliffwood tonearm, making it a great choice for beginners. Unlike the more advanced models like the Prime X, it focuses on simplicity and ease of use, which is ideal for small rooms and those with a limited budget. It lacks the advanced isolation and tonearm options found in higher-end models, making it less suitable for those seeking extensive customization or the highest sound quality.
VPI Prime X
- Positioning: A high-performance turntable that sits above the Scout 21, offering advanced features for serious audiophiles.
- Description: Stands out with its 3D-printed JMW-12 tonearm and HW-40 isolation feet, providing superior sound isolation and detail retrieval compared to the Scout 21. It lacks the multi-tonearm capability of the Avenger, which might be a consideration for users looking for maximum flexibility.
VPI Avenger
- Positioning: A top-tier model designed for audiophiles seeking maximum flexibility and performance.
- Description: Features a unique three-layer chassis and ability to mount up to three tonearms, making it a standout choice for those who want to experiment with different audio setups. It offers superior isolation and sound quality compared to the Signature DS.
VPI Titan
- Positioning: The flagship model, offering groundbreaking performance and technology.
- Description: Features a pneumatic air-suspension system and analog-based oscillators for exceptional stability and sound purity, setting it apart from the Avenger and other models. Its high cost and advanced features make it suitable for those who are deeply invested in high-end audio and have the space to accommodate its large footprint.
Our take on the brand
Look inside the brand
Our interview with the brand
What are two key technological innovations or strong opinions that differ you from other brands?
Technologically, two standout innovations set VPI apart:
Our use of 3D printing technology and our proprietary 3-phase BLD motor and processing system. The 3D-printed tonearms represent a major leap forward in precision, damping, and performance—offering sonic benefits that traditional manufacturing struggles to match. Our 3-phase motor system, paired with advanced control processing, delivers superior speed stability and vibration isolation. Both are significant engineering achievements in turntable design and performance.
From a broader philosophy, what truly differentiates us is our identity—we're a family-owned company, still run by the original family, now heading into a third generation. Every table is made in America, built by a small but dedicated team, and reflects a hands-on, personal commitment to craftsmanship and legacy that's hard to find today.
What's your approach to customer support?
We always recommend that customers first reach out to their original retailer—dealer or distributor—as they are often the quickest path to help. However, if the dealer is unavailable or the issue goes beyond their scope, we're absolutely here and ready to jump in.
Customers can contact us directly by email or phone, and we do our best to respond as quickly as possible. What sets us apart is our commitment to hands-on support—if needed, we'll FaceTime or Zoom with customers to walk them through setup, troubleshooting, or fine-tuning. We've even invited customers to the factory when they're nearby. We take support personally because we take our customers personally—when you buy a VPI, you're part of the family.
What are your favorite tracks for showcasing the strength of your products?
- Take Five – Dave Brubeck: The rhythm, the horn work, and the overall layering make this an ideal track for evaluating instrumental balance and clarity. Personally, it holds a special place—it was a favorite of mine and my wife back when we were dating, and my father, Harry Weisfeld (VPI's founder), used it to teach me about soundstage and timing. It's both a sentimental and technical go-to.
- Dr. Ackbar – Bob and Ray's Stereo Spectacular: This is a wild, lesser-known gem. It's a spoken-word journey through a castle/laboratory that plays with spatial cues and stereo effects in a way that's perfect for system testing. When your setup is dialed in, you should feel like you're physically in the space—with voices and effects coming from pinpoint locations around you.
- 64 Dodge – Greg Brown: This track gives me everything I need when checking a system—vocals, guitar tone, and fine detail. I grew up listening to it, so I know exactly how it should sound. When something's off, I can hear it immediately; when it's right, this track just sings.
What other products pair best with yours?
Tough to pick just one, but Nordost cables are often paired with VPI by both customers and retail partners—and for good reason. The synergy between Nordost and our turntables brings out incredible detail and clarity. That said, two standout system pairings we've seen a lot this past year include:
System 1:
- VPI Industries
- VAC Amplifiers
- Acora Speakers
- Cardas Cables
System 2:
- VPI Industries
- Audio Research
- Wilson Audio
- Nordost Cables
Each of these combinations delivers a beautiful blend of musicality, precision, and dynamic range—exactly what analog lovers are chasing.
Used
VPI
What if you spend more?
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Our summary
Product Strengths
- The Fatboy brings each cartridge's strengths to the fore as well as revealing the sonic differences among the cartridges
- The tonearm's preciseness and linearity parallels and complements the sound of the Vanquish table
- The tonearm's strongest suit is its dynamics and that special ability to rapidly move and shift between dynamic levels
- The Fatboy's ability to recreate a ginormous soundstage
- The Fatboy's slightly heavier mass also allows for the use of lower compliance and heavier massive cartridges
Product Considerations
- The Fatboy falls slightly short of ultimate in the areas of finesse, refinement, and total sense of ease
- There's also some decrease in bass texture
- The tonearm can also at times sacrifice harmonic integrity for detail
- Setting up the dual pivot version of the Fatboy tonearm, in particular azimuth, can be a little tricky and trying
- The character of the new VPI 3D printed Fatboy tonearm lies ever so slightly to the yang side of neutral, no part of the frequency spectrum is emphasized to the detriment of another
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Compared to VPI's earlier all JMW Aluminum-based tonearm, the Fatboy is superior when it comes to resolution, speed, and dynamics—and eliminates much of the sonic signature from the previous 3D printed tonearm
- Compared to earlier 3D generation VPI arms, the new Fatboy tonearm is a sizable step up from VPI's earlier 3D printed arms
Takeaway: The VPI Fatboy tonearm is a stunning product and could easily be many audiophiles' final tonearm. The Fatboy's slightly heavier mass allows for the use of lower compliance and heavier massive cartridges.
Video review
Our take on the brand
The Fatboy Gimbal 9-3D Tonearm features a full gimbal bearing design with Nordost Reference Wire internal wiring. It utilizes 3D Technology construction consisting of epoxy resin and Delrin materials, copper, aluminum and steel. The tonearm includes adjustable features such as Counterweight, Azimuth, VTA, and Limo Connection.
Our summary
Product Strengths
- The VPI Fatboy tonearm shined a wonderful new light on the reviewer's entire vinyl collection
- The Fatboy Gimbal and Unipivot models offer a liquidity and ease to the sound that allows the listener to just relax and take it all in
- Mids especially had a wonderful rich texture and palpability that flowed from the music when using the Fatboy
- Highs had a proper splash of attack and inner detail without edge and strain when played on the Fatboy
- Micro and macro dynamics also improved as special cues and sudden transients had the reviewer's hair standing on end
Product Considerations
- One reviewer heard through the grapevine that Harry Weisfeld preferred the Gimbal over the Unipivot, but the reasons were not well explained
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Vs JMW-12.7: The Fatboy realized improvements well beyond expectations considering the excellent performance of the JMW-12 3DR, and even before that with the JMW-12.7
Takeaway: The Fatboy has improvements across the board and now has a permanent home in the reviewer's system. After investing in the Fatboy, the reviewer is more satisfied and overjoyed with the sound of their analog front end.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Further development of the 9W1, designed with a slightly shorter effective length allowing a wider range of turntables to work with an AMG tonearm. Excellent spatial presence and dynamic performance owed to a resonance-optimized design. All of AMG‘s precision adjustments of tonearm setup parameters are offered, with highest grade materials, individually assembled by hand and carefully measured and tested.
Our summary
Product Strengths
- The 9W2 tonearm is beautifully made with superb execution, smooth bearings and no play in the two dimensions
- Excellent fit and finish, with quality in the packaging and clear instructions
- The AMG Giro provides a very low noise floor, allowing more details to be revealed in recordings
- Musically satisfying, the Giro has a sense of lively confidence and direct musical communication, is quick, clean, and presents players with verve and vitality
- Offers the ability to adjust each geometrical aspect of cartridge setup and alignment, including VTA/SRA, overhang and offset, azimuth and bias
Product Considerations
- The Giro's controls do not always respond to one's first fingertip touch
- Azimuth and bias adjustments may be exacting, as they are devoid of any sort of incremental scale or zero point
- The bottom end definitely loses weight as it goes deeper, but it's not as great a loss as first impressions suggest
- The Teatro moving-coil cartridge was found to be unusually sensitive to dust accumulation on the stylus' tip
- The 9W2 arm only uses one grub screw to hold the arm in place, and some feel two screws are a more effective method of holding an arm in place
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Vs Rega RP10: the AMG Giro is richer and warmer sounding, has a slightly quieter noise floor, a bit more weight and power at the bottom end, as well as a bit more dynamic oomph
- Vs AMG Viella: The AMG Viella has a bit more weight and scale and better detail retrieval—advantage of a 12 inch arm over 9 inch?
Takeaway: The AMG Giro turntable and 9W2 tonearm are beautifully made with stunning levels of fit and finish, offering clear set up instructions and sound quality to match. It provides deep levels of musical pleasure to make you forget about the gear and immerse yourself in the beauty of the music.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Designed to the same extreme precision engineering standards as our turntables, every tonearm is painstakingly hand assembled with the trademark craftsmanship that you would expect from AVID.
Supporting your cartridge rigidly whilst playing a record is vitally important and the reason we have harnessed our bespoke hyper strong titanium arm tube and simply pushed rigidity to another level.
superlative
Our rigid bearing architecture is paramount to delivering solid images etched in space, so each of its components are manufactured to unbelievably tight tolerances.
Nexus will astonish you with its ability to uncover previously camouflaged musical nuances with crisp clean clarity, outstanding solidity and precise superlative sound.
FIELD OF FORCE
Natural forces pull a tonearm, ever increasingly towards the centre of the record, which left uncorrected can result in a distorted sound.
Bias compensation is the mechanism that counteracts this, and our design, gradually increases the field of force as it gets closer to the centre, so your musical enjoyment remains constant from start to finish.
Our purpose designed low capacitance external phono cable reassuringly anchors into place using an superior right angled DIN connector and terminated with high quality gold plated RCA plugs. For purists wishing to embrace the naturally balanced output of a phono cartridge, the cable is also available fully balanced with XLR connectors.
Our summary
Product Strengths
- Expertly produced to be one of the most versatile hi-end arms on the market for real-world use
- The build translates into musical delivery, achieving high levels of low frequency grip and dynamics
- Made of an ultra-rigid Grade-9 titanium designed to resist torsion and bending
- Fitted with high-specification ball bearings and incorporates high-precision bearing shafts to ensure minimal friction and precise movement
Product Considerations
- The headshell is a one piece design, being permanently fixed to the main wand for rigidity, meaning there's no easy way to adjust azimuth
- Setting anti-skate is a bit more manual than most
- The review sample had a quirk where flicking the cueing lever would cause the arm to stop halfway down—requiring assistance
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- The Nexus at £4,500 is still around a grand cheaper than what SME was charging for its Series V before it went off sale
Takeaway: The Nexus tonearm is a superbly engineered and simple to use piece of equipment designed to work with a wide-range of pick-ups and it can hold its own on any turntable that's up to its standards. It's a worthwhile option for those seeking a versatile hi-end tonearm.
Video review
Our take on the brand
What competes at this price?
Our Summary
Product Strengths
- The TP 160 tonearm combined with the TD 1600 offers quality that is hard to beat
- The TP 160 is stable, rigid, extremely smooth-running, and comprehensively adjustable
- The TP 160's low-friction design allows the TAS 1600 cartridge to operate more precisely
- It is a modern-day version of the legendary EMT Tontechnik professional arm 929
- Exceptional build quality
Product Considerations
- Manual lift operation requires a gentle touch to avoid stylus impact and sub-chassis wobble
- The removable headshell design introduces a slight compromise in stiffness
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- The TP 160 is better and more balanced than the TP 92
- The TP 160 is comparable to the Linn Ekos, but at a much friendlier price, and is superior to the Akito
Takeaway: The TP 160 tonearm improves the turntable's performance with its quality build and adjustability. It is designed for those who appreciate a smooth and detailed listening experience.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Our Summary
Product Strengths
- Designed with a focus on achieving the lowest possible resonance and optimal tracking accuracy
- Constructed from high-quality materials, including lightweight yet rigid aluminum
- Features a unique tapered design that minimizes unwanted vibrations
- Adjustable azimuth and vertical tracking angle (VTA), allowing users to tailor the setup to their specific cartridge and listening preferences
- Employs thick-walled aluminum arm tube to ensure the cartridge is held securely above the record and aid the transmission of vibration away from the cartridge
- Offers cascading features from the top-model NEXUS—such as the micron tolerance bearings and the adjustable progressive Bias
Product Considerations
- The Altus uses thick-walled aluminum tubing for the main tube, whereas the higher-end Nexus model uses more exotic materials for its tonearm tube
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Vs Nexus: The Nexus model uses exotic materials for its tonearm tube, whereas the Altus uses thick-walled aluminum tubing for the main tube
- Vs Nexus: The Altus headshell is produced through a precise laser cutting process on solid aluminum, whereas the Nexus headshell is precision-engineered from solid aluminum and undergoes rigorous machining to ensure compatibility with the arm tube
- Vs Nexus: The Altus also uses the same DIN connector, RCA connectors, and high-quality external and internal cable loom as the NEXUS, the only difference is that the ALTUS is through-wired whereas the NEXUS allows the user to change the headshell wires
Takeaway: The Altus is a well-engineered tonearm designed for optimal tracking accuracy and minimal resonance, made with quality materials. It is a good option for those seeking a balance of performance and value, offering features trickled down from higher-end models
Video review
Our take on the brand
Our Summary
Product Strengths
- Exceptional build quality, featuring Italian craftsmanship
- High-precision German-made bearings ensure fluid movement and tracking stability
- Offers comprehensive adjustment capabilities, including adjustable VTA, anti-skating, and azimuth
- Premium internal wiring with AWG36 Hyper Litz shielded 99.9999% OFC cables
- Elegant aesthetic design
Product Considerations
- Installation requires careful setup
- May be over-engineered for casual listeners
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Compared to a Transrotor rig, the B-5.1 combo offers a more lively and engaging sound, with deeper, more propulsive bass
Takeaway: The Gold Note B-5.1 tonearm is a beautiful piece of Italian engineering offering exceptional performance and adjustability. It is well-suited for serious vinyl enthusiasts seeking to extract the finest details from their records with a lively and engaging sound.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Our Summary
Product Strengths
- Ultra-precise ceramic bearings provide superior and silent tracking
- Premium material construction ensures both visual appeal and acoustic superiority
- Comprehensive adjustment capabilities allow for precise fine-tuning
- Excellent resonance control thanks to the sectional design of the titanium arm wand
- High-quality internal wiring ensures signal integrity
Product Considerations
- Installation requires careful setup and may benefit from expert guidance
- 23mm mounting diameter may require modification for some turntables
- Premium pricing tier
Takeaway: The Gold Note B-7 Ceramic Tonearm is a high-end product that uses great materials and careful design to bring out the best sound from vinyl records. It is made for serious vinyl fans who want top performance.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Our Summary
Product Strengths
- Simple and elegant design
- Exceptional structural rigidity combined with ultra-low friction
- Simple adjustments for vertical tracking force, azimuth, anti-skating, and vertical tracking angle
- Easy setup due to a mounting bar that connects to the tonearm with one allen screw
- When paired together, the Satisfy tonearm and the Benz Micro cartridges offer value
Product Considerations
- Clearaudio offers limited aftersales service
- Does not get the best out of cartridges like Ikeda or Ortofon SPU
- Vertical tracking angle cannot be changed while playing
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Only the Tri-Planar matched the Satisfy Carbon Fiber in musical realism
- Each of these arms, with the exception of the SME 3009, do some things better than the Satisfy Carbon Fiber
- The Satinwood arm was the warmest of the three versions, sacrificing a slight amount of transparency and micro dynamics
- The Ebony arm tube sounded bolder and more substantial compared to the Carbon Fiber and Satinwood versions
Takeaway: The Clearaudio Satisfy tonearms offer a simple yet effective design with good rigidity and easy setup, especially when paired with the right cartridge. It is a solid option for those seeking a musically realistic experience.
Video review
Our take on the brand
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