Rega P9 or VPI Classic1 - Which would you choose??

There's a Classic 1 here for $1700. Are you upgrading or starting off? 

I have a rega planar 25, so upgrading. Most people say the vpi’s are fuller sounding.

thoughts?

@billandsol - I’m Not a fan of Rega - so out of the two I would go with the VPI, but even that has some design deficiencies, despite the +ve feedback from owners.

My preference (if I were buying) is Music Hall - they are very well designed and do not suffer from the design deficiencies of the other two.

The MMF 9.3 is in the same snack bracket

mmf-9.3 turntable with music hall’s unique triple plinth construction (musichallaudio.com)

THE Music hall MMF 9.3 offerS the following design features

• music hall’s unique triple plinth construction
• one-piece full carbon fiber tonearm
• fully adjustable VTA, azimuth, and dampened arm lift mechanism
• counterweight’s center of gravity is level with the stylus tip, is decoupled from the arm, and acts as a resonance damper
• completely isolated/decoupled DC motor with 33 1⁄3 and 45 rpm speed controls located in the front left corner of the turntable, thus canceling any potential vibration from the motor/belt to the cartridge
• motor sits on its own resonance damping puck
• optional Goldring Eroica LX low-output moving-coil cartridge with Gyger II line contact stylus ($795 value)
• the cartridge supplied is properly aligned and mounted
• inverted ceramic main bearing for super quiet, fluid operation
• non resonant, 1” thick acrylic platter
• soft felt platter mat
• high quality gold RCA connectors and detachable phono cable
• adjustable tip toe feet with anti scratch cups
• low noise fully manual belt drive design
• built-in round spirit level for proper leveling
• dust cover and 45 rpm adaptor included

The mmf 11.3 is even nicer, but a little more expensive

Hope that helps - Steve

Be sure to check out what kind of tonearm is on the VPI. I have a Classic II and was unaware that it comes/came with a "Uni-pivot" tone arm. A uni-pivot is like a small nail sticking up from the tonearm base. You place the tonearm cup over the nail which is the sole support. This system works well in a child-free environment. This was all new to me as I was used to "Gimballed" arms that securely hold everything in place. The Classic II makes nice music and I don’t have a problem with the uni-pivot but you might.

FWIW: I formerly owned a Music Hall (7.1 ?). I was installing a new cartridge and broke a lead. I contacted MH who said they could not help me rewire the tonearm.

The VPI Classic 1 was the base model for that platform. Mine is 10 years old. 

Had a modded P5 before that. 

If you want to stick with the Rega philosophy, consider  a P8/10. The "newer" Rega design is much ""better than the old P9. Rega will be much less hassle compared to the VPI. 

Subjectively, I find the performance of VPI Classic  more convincing. The Classic 1 is like what the Rega P5 was. An entry into the next level of  a performance.

Once setup properly, VPI will be fine, Rega with a Rega cart is ultimate no hassle table.

Whatever you decide, get the best phonostage you can afford to really hear what it can do.