Basis vs.VPI

I have had alot of exposure to VPI all through the years,at many friends' homes.Also,I too like Basis...but...

Basis is very costly,though quite good(an understatement).I appreciate their upgrade path,and a good vacuum system is still very effective.Personally,I cannot for the life of me figure out why SO many hugely expensive "high mass" designs with NO true clamping system can be so popular?

Anyway,the current crop of VPI products(especially their better offerings) are superb!The HRX "fully maxxed out" is about as good a table/arm "system" as anyone is likely to need(as in hear)!

One thing about "quality" in tables,not particularly mentioned often enough....

Be wary of those mfgrs who do not make a "Quiet" system!With today's ultra high resolution cartridges and phono stages,even the slightest buzz,or hum can affect our music...

In my experience,with the monies asked today,one should expect a noise free product....that stays that way!!

Good luck...either way,you should be quite happy with your choice.

Larryi is right about the ring clamp "potential" disaster.My close pal had "that" scenario.He was a bit careless,and became cantilever-less-:)

Lucky for him,the cartridge importer was a super nice guy,and gave him a new one for free(Titan i).

Still,it does work well in the coupling of an LP.How many designs "really" couple an LP correctly(which is clearly audible,in the "utmost resolution of a musical signal").

I'll give serious kudos to Basis for doing that to the max!....and....

From my experience with a Debut/vacuum unit on the BIG four tower infinity speakers,the table "is" dead quiet!!I LOVE the Debut,but sadly it is a bit out of my reach,especially with an upcoming wedding for my daughter....OUCH!!!

Yet,the latest VPI HRX is a KILLER combo(including the new 12.7 arm) at a superb price(I won't say bargain,because it seems "anything" in high end audio is a bit pricey).Comparable performance from the competition is quite a bit more moola.This system I've heard "do" all of the famous LP's from Mercury,RCA and Decca etc.Believe me when I state it is about as good in retrieving musical info as you can get.BUT,you do have to be careful with that ring clamp.

I make no arguement against anything someone can afford,but it "is" nice to save a few bucks on occassion.

Good luck