VPI Nomad Manual

VPI Nomad
Turntable Manual
Setup and Instruction Manual
VPI Industries, Inc., 77 Cliffwood Ave. #5D, Cliffwood, NJ 07721
http://www.vpiindustries.com

Nomad Turntable Packing List
Serial #:________________
Nomad Chassis
Cartridge Installed
Instruction Manual
Drive Belt
Power Supply
Platter
Tonearm
Date: __________
Final Check by: ____________________

NOMAD SPECIFICATIONS:
Type Belt drive (manual turntable)
Motor 24 VAC Synchronous AC Motor
Turntable Platter Machined MDF
Diameter 11.81" (30.0 cm)
Turntable Speeds 33-1/3 RPM and 45 RPM
Wow and Flutter 0.06% WOW (In accordance with DIN specification)
0.04% Flutter (In accordance with DIN specification)
Rumble <-80dB (IEC 98A Unweighted)
Effective Arm Length 240.7 mm
Overhang 0.65" (16.4 mm) Lofgren A
Offset Angle 21.8°
Arm Mass 10g (without cartridge)
Stylus Pressure Adjustment Range 0 - 3g (with 4 g cartridge)
Cartridge Ortofon 2M Red
Output 5.5 mV @ 1 KHz
Phono Preamplifier Gain 35 db
Cartridge Loading 150 pF Across 47K Ohms
Frequency Response 20 Hz –20 Khz (-0.5 db at 20 Hz)
Low Frequency Rolloff -1.4 db @ 10 Hz
Output Voltage (on RCA Jacks) 287 mV @ 1 KHz
Headphone Amplifier Gain 10 db
Frequency Response 20 Hz –20Khz (-0.4 db at 20 KHz)
Output Level 395 mW per Channel @ 150 Ohm
165 mW per Channel @ 32 Ohm
Power Supply 24 VAC @ 50 - 60Hz
Power Consumption 7.7W at full output with 32 Ohm headphones
Safety Approvals Built to meet UL6500, EN 60065
Dimensions 18.5" (470 mm) W x 13.5" (343 mm) D x 4.3" (109 mm) H
Weight 12.9 lbs. (5.9 kg)

IMPORTANT: READ BEFORE PROCEEDING!
Read and follow the SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS below.
Save all packing materials. The Nomad should only be moved or shipped in its original packaging to
reduce the risk of damage in transit.
The Nomad must be placed on a flat, level surface. This will make setup easy, provide better sound
quality, and put less strain on the main bearing.
SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS:
Follow the instructions below to reduce risk of electrical hazard or
injury.
1. To avoid electrical shock, do not open the motor cover.
2. If the power cord provided with the Nomad does not reach an outlet, use a heavy-duty, grounded
extension cord.
3. To avoid electrical shock, always plug the Nomad into a grounded outlet.
4. Do not expose the Nomad to rain or excessive moisture.
INTRODUCTION:
The VPI Nomad is the first all in one high-end entry level turntable. Complete with a headphone amplifier,
phonostage, and pre-mounted Ortofon 2M Red cartridge on a 9 inch Gimbaled/Yoke bearing, it is the
perfect solution to being enjoying your records! It also has standard RCA connections giving the ability to
hook up to a standard amplifier and desktop/floor standing speakers. The Nomad turntable is a precision
instrument. It has been thoroughly tested.
WARNING: The Nomad’s phonostage is defeat-able but must be disengaged before being plugged
into another phonostage. Doing so could result in serious damage to your speakers. See your
local dealer or check online for directions to disengage your internal phonostage.
OPENING THE BOX:
The VPI Nomad is protected by custom designed foam packaging to make it easy to remove and begin
your listening experience. All foam parts easily lift off from the box. Make sure to save all packaging in
the event you ever need to safely ship your Nomad table.
Setting up the Nomad
The Nomad must be placed on a flat, level surface. This will make setup easy, provide better sound
quality, and put less strain on the main bearing.
1. Place the turntable chassis, with the square cutout on the left, on the shelf or stand where it will be
used. The better isolation you provide the Nomad, the better it will sound. We highly recommend a 1
to 3 inch thick maple shelf sitting on rubber isolator feet for this purpose.

2. Remove the turntable platter and place the platter on the tapered spindle. The platter bearing is
lubricated; no additional lubrication is needed for at least one year. If you need to lubricate the
bearing place 3 drops of 40 weight motor oil in the spindle hole.
3. Connect the power cord to the motor, then place the motor, with the power cord at the rear, next to
the square cutout of the turntable chassis.
4. Lift the chassis and place it over the power cord. The motor should extend approximately .25 inch
from the side of the turntable chassis.
5. Place the drive belt around the platter and around the pulley on the motor. The belt does not have to
be level on the platter. It will self-level when the platter starts rotating.
6. For 33 RPM operation, place the belt on the upper part of the pulley. For 45 RPM operation, place the
belt on the lower, wider part of the pulley. The center groove in each diameter is the correct speed.
To determine the precise speed, use a strobe disc. The VPI Synchronous Drive System speed
controller provides the ultimate speed accuracy and best sound. Check with your dealer about
availability.
7. Verify the turntable is level by using a 9 or 12-inch bubble level front-to-back and side-to-side on the
platter. If it is not level, rotate the aluminum cone feet up or down. If you must turn the Nomad feet
more than three full turns, level the shelf or platform the table sits on first.
REMOVING THE CARTRIDGE GUARD
The Ortofon 2M Red cartridges pre-mounted on the Nomad comes with a
cartridge guard to protect the stylus. To remove the guard (while facing the
Nomad) gently press the tab of the guard towards you to release and remove.
Arm Height and Azimuth
Both your arm height and azimuth is already factory set for you! All adjustments are optional. If you want
to make your own adjustments you can adjust the height of the arm from underneath your turntable under
the arm base, and the azimuth using the two small screws located on the right hand side of the arm tube.
Optional adjustment for arm height (VTA) as follows:
Loosen the nut, remove the ground wire, then you may adjust the height by turning the brass nut.

Optional adjustment for the azimuth as follows:
You may adjust azimuth by loosening the side screws and turning the armtube.
CHANGING SPEEDS:
The VPI Nomad comes with a two speed pulley, 33 and 45. To adjust the speeds simply move the belt
from one pulley groove to another.
CONNECTING TO THE PREAMPLIFIER/AMPLIFIER
Only use interconnects that are shielded and properly grounded. Non-shielded can hum.
The ground connection is available to eliminate hum if necessary. If hum is present, first connect a
ground lead from the connector block to the preamplifier or amplifier to which the output cable is
connected. If this does not eliminate the hum, run a ground wire from the turntable chassis to the
connector block as well. The block's connector will accept bare wires, spade lugs, or ring tongue
connectors.
Do NOT plug the Nomad into an external phonostage
unless you have disengaged your internal phonostage!
Doing so could possibly damage your speakers!

PLAYING RECORDS
Make sure the VPI slip mat that comes standard with the Nomad is secure.
If using headphones, plug your headphones into the headphone amplifier located in the front left of
the Nomad. Be sure to set your volume at a preferred level before listening.
Press the power button and sit down and enjoy listening to your records with.
GENERAL USE
Allow at least 20 hours of break-in time.
The motor will make some low-level noise. This will not get into the system. The motor and bearings
will become quieter as you use your Nomad.
RECOMMENDED UPGRADES (SEE YOUR LOCAL DEALER)
HR-X Center Weight
JMW 9 Unipivot Tonearm
Nomad Aluminum Drop on Platter
Defeat-able Phonostage –You can upgrade as you grow with your system
Ortofon 2M Blue, Bronze, or Black (other cartridges can be used but the 2M series is compatible
and easy to use with the Nomad)

VPI Industries, Inc. Limited Warranty
VPI Industries, Inc. (VPI) warrants this unit against defects in materials and/or workmanship for one(1))
year from the date of purchase by the original retail purchaser. VPI’s sole obligation under this warranty is
limited to the repair or replacement, at VPI’s option, of any part(s) found to be defective. VPI’s obligation
to repair or replace defective parts is the purchaser’s sole and exclusive remedy, and VPI shall not be
liable for any direct or indirect injury and/or property damage arising out of the use of the product or
defect in or failure of the product.
This warranty does not extend to any unit whose serial number has been defaced or altered. Any product
that VPI determines causes a defect or malfunction due to incorrect installation, modification, misuse, or
servicing by the purchaser, or service technician not authorized by VPI to perform such service will not be
warranted. This warranty does not cover trivial or cosmetic defects that do not impair the unit’s normal
function.
VPI reserves the right to make changes in this product without assuming any obligation to install such
change in any product previously manufactured. This warranty to repair or replace defective parts is in
lieu of all other express or implied warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose. There
are not warranties that extend beyond the description herein.
Some states do not allow exclusion of implied warranties or limitation of incidental or consequential
damages, so the above exclusion or limitations may not apply to you. This warranty gives you specific
legal rights, and you may also have other rights that vary from state to state.
Register your Product Online:
http://vpiindustries.com/warranty/