I had a VPI HW as well for about 20 years until it died. Did a good job.
I replaced it with a Nessie. It is an many times quieter and less than half the size. I was so happy with the new one after putting up with all the noise for so long. But, I was thinking the same when I first bought the VPI… the best for low cost. I would have sprung for a better one if I had known it was going to be a permanent fixture in my audio room.
But you just never know.