VPI Direct Drive Turntable

There are those that think the last 5% closer to perfection is worth the extra big money.....I don't . The classic with the 3D arm is as close as I am willing to go. It gets very, very close....you will love it.

Let's hold out for actual reviews rather than speculation shall we?

There are a number of options at the $30k price point, just like any other price point. If HW feels that the DD Classic is competitive at that price, fine. Market will tell whether that proves to be the case.

I admire that VPI has a line of tables at a number of pricepoints, ranging from the Traveler on up. And many of these tables have upgrade paths for those who seek more and think the extra cost is worthwhile.

They also have great customer service and continue to be able to supply parts for many of their tables. Not all HW-19 parts were available when I had one, but IIRC they still had a good many available for HW-19 owners.

I heard the new direct drive VPI turntable this weekend and thought it sounded really great. VPI (Mat and Harry) were demonstrating it at an open house last Saturday. They said the motor is derived from a submarine motor so it is really quiet. I didn't hear any blurring in the piano music they played. The music sounded really open and natural. Mat said the footprint is the same size as the Classic 4 but is a bit thicker to accommodate the extra internal electronics needed to control the motor. It doesn't require an SDS since all of the motor controls are built into the base. It's a really beautiful turntable and if you get a chance to hear it, don't miss it. VPI also gives great support. I spent a lot of time with Harry, Mat, and Jack from VPI and they took a lot of time to answer questions not only about the current tables but about my TNT and HW-19 MK IV. I would buy it if I could afford it.

IMHO opinion, VPI made a “marketing” mistake by making the Classic DD look like the rest of the Classic line, therefore, drawing unfair (?) comparisons to its lower cost brethren.

If VPI design a new looking plinth, (like they did with the HRX when the TNT was discontinued) and utilized a DD motor with an outboard motor controller, no one would question the price tag. Bundling the DD motor and hiding the electronics into the already established Classic line, was asking for “value” debates.

As always, the real proof is in the listening, but a cool looking table that screams hi-end, always helps.

The increased performance will be assymptotic. Personally I stay away from this super high end stuff, because I can't afford it and even if I could, my sense is that it's not so much about the enjyoyment of music as it is about the enjoyment of knowing one has a toy that most others don't. And there is certainly a place in the market for that.

But that's my 0.02