Are VPI tables considered musical and involving?


My apologies if this ground has already been covered here, but I could not find it with the Search feature.

I know VPI is well respected for build, value and sonics. But over the years I have come across comments that they are just a tad dry and somewhat clinical and hi-fi'ish in character, and possibly not the best choice for a listener that prefers an enchanting, seductive and emotional listening experience.

Is this a fair assessment of the VPI sound? Is it's presentation a bit cool, matter of fact, and mechanical?

For example, are VPI background silences blueish and cool rather than a warmish jet black? It is the difference between a quiet warehouse and an empty church at midnight (or the warm and expectant hush of a concert hall right before a performance starts).

If one prizes tone, fluidity, bloom, harmonic texture and a sonic beauty that is organic and "whole" sounding, will VPI provide it?

I do like detail (natural), space, staging and other hi-fi attributes, but ultimately I wanna be seduced when I listen. I want an emotional listening experience, one in which I feel connected to the music and the performers. So I guess a slightly warm, embellished and romantic sound is preferred.

Obviously, I listen with my heart and soul rather than my brain. Involvement and musicality are what I seek.

I am open to all suggestions. New MSRP in the $1000 to $3000 range for table and arm.

Thanks in advance for all input, comments and recs!

~John
spelly
Barnayi, Harry has been quoted as saying the Classic is the best sounding table he has developed. If I ever replace my HW-19 I will buy the Classic.
All the comments suggest that any and all vpi machine/arm's sound is 'colored'. Yes, the dreaded word, and ban of all hi-end stuff. It would be nice if Harry worked on a table/arm that has 'flat' response, better known as netural. I am amazed that after all these years Harry has not found a material for the platters that stands out as the 'best'. The recent move to alumium is strange, I think it represents five steps backwards. Do I have a VPI? Yes, Aries I, origianl platter and 10 arm. Sounds great. Once my lottery ticket comes up a winner I will move to a Rockport.
Musical means soft and soothing with limited dynamics. It's a back-handed complement.
No, that's not what "musical" means. Maybe it does to some who aren't familiar with the sound of music. Musical means it sounds like music. Sometimes music is soft and soothing, sometimes it is incredibly nasty and abrasive sounding. If a component can't do both then it can't be musical. If a component can only one or the other it can't be musical. Not many can do both.
"musical" doesn't mean anything at all... and hence isn't a good way to describe how an audio component sounds