Common dealership opinion seems to favor VPI
I've had some conversations with the SoCal dealers who seem to be the big vinyl guys (Brooks Berdan in Monrovia and Audio Revelation in Carlsbad). Both carry VPI and Clearaudio. Both recommend VPI tables enthusiastically (especially Berdan), but both seem to limit Clearaudio endorsement to the cartridges. I've never gotten a specific reason from either, but have heard reservations expressed -by others - about the Clearaudio bearing design, which (I'm told) puts the contact point at the top of the bearing shaft near the platter. FWIW
I'd add that Acoustic Image -a dealer in the San Fernando Valley with its own vinyl following - does like the Clearaudio tables, while LA Audio in LA and Optimal Enchantment in Santa Monica focus on neither brand.
I've had some conversations with the SoCal dealers who seem to be the big vinyl guys (Brooks Berdan in Monrovia and Audio Revelation in Carlsbad). Both carry VPI and Clearaudio. Both recommend VPI tables enthusiastically (especially Berdan), but both seem to limit Clearaudio endorsement to the cartridges. I've never gotten a specific reason from either, but have heard reservations expressed -by others - about the Clearaudio bearing design, which (I'm told) puts the contact point at the top of the bearing shaft near the platter. FWIW
I'd add that Acoustic Image -a dealer in the San Fernando Valley with its own vinyl following - does like the Clearaudio tables, while LA Audio in LA and Optimal Enchantment in Santa Monica focus on neither brand.