VPI Industries
VPI CRG-258 Hybrid Tonearm & Armwand
VPI CRG-258 Hybrid Tonearm & Armwand
Deliveries over $700 - Signature Required!
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VPI · House of Stereo
A closer look at the cartridge’s support system.
The CRG-258 is VPI’s carbon-fiber/resin gimbal tonearm. Choose an armwand for a confirmed compatible installation, or a complete assembly with the appropriate VTA base.
The arm tube
Carbon fiber and an internally bonded resin structure combine stiffness with resonance control. This is the structural link between the cartridge and the bearing.
The cartridge interface
A machined metal headshell provides the mounting surface. Cartridge alignment still matters: a better arm does not eliminate careful setup.
The bearing assembly
ABEC-5 bearings support the gimbal. Azimuth, counterweight and VTA adjustments let the installer set cartridge position and tracking force.
Movement with a defined bearing geometry
The gimbal supports the arm’s movement through bearings. VPI specifies ABEC-5 bearings for the CRG-258. The carbon-fiber/resin tube and machined metal headshell connect this bearing assembly to the cartridge.
Three adjustments. Three different jobs.
The counterweight sets how firmly the stylus follows the groove. Verify the final force with a gauge and the cartridge maker’s recommendation.
Viewed from the front, the stylus needs the correct orientation in the groove. This is separate from arm height.
Arm height changes the cartridge’s angle relative to the record. Set it after alignment and tracking force, then recheck the complete setup.
Choose the assembly your installation needs
| CRG-258-WAND · $2,500 | Armwand only; requires a confirmed compatible existing installation |
|---|---|
| CRG-258-STD · $3,000 | Complete tonearm with standard VTA base |
| CRG-258-OTF · $3,900 | Complete tonearm with VTA-on-the-Fly base |
Before choosing an armwand or base
Give us the turntable model, current arm and base, and intended cartridge. Arm length alone does not establish mounting compatibility. An armwand-only purchase is not a universal drop-in upgrade for every VPI table.
Holiday armwand trade-in
| Eligible metal arm | $600 allowance; $1,900 customer upgrade price |
|---|---|
| Eligible 3D arm | $800 allowance; $1,700 customer upgrade price |
The trade applies to the $2,500 armwand through December 31, 2026. Contact House of Stereo to confirm eligibility, fit and exchange arrangements before ordering. The purchase options above are standard no-trade configurations.
