VPI HR-X vs SME 20

I would go for the SME 20. It is a more finished product. The VPI HRX is having all sorts of problems. The SME 20 is reliable, ready for market and marvelous.

Rufus: I am NOT a dealer for either product, although I have owned turntables from both companies. Specifically, there ARE problems with the motor and the arm. I have a friend who has been waiting forever for the replacemet motor and arm. If you are uncomfortable with my statement, I will put you directly in touch with him. As an owner of this table, I can understand why my statement would make you feel the way you do and I am sorry for that.

I too respect you and we have a mutual friend who has my highest regard. I have no motivation here other than giving Andski a "heads up" on what I know.

Rufus, your assumptions are incorrect. My friend has not had the chance to try the table, which has been sitting in his house for four months, because both his dealer and the VPI factory said they were having problems.

When you speak with my friend, who is an Audiogon member, you will certainly feel differently about the "reputation in the industry for customer service" statement.

When I sell the Audio Aero, I let everyone know about the problems that have arisen. I also suggest for these reasons that they buy new so they have the warranty. I do not always suggest buying new to my customers.

My friend is out of town, but I will put you in touch with him. He will be visiting me during the weekend of the 21st. Please ask our mutual friend for my phone number and I will put you in touch with him.

Let us get another thing straight, I never slammed anyone and maybe you need to re-read these posts. The other thing you need to be aware of is as a reviewer, you think anyone is going to share with you info about problems they are having with a product you will be reviewing? Please.

Jonmatd: This customer, who is a personal friend of mine, has called and written VPI countless times, upon my suggestions, and has had

little satisfaction. He feels it is almost impossible to reach you guys with the limited hours that you provide (Tuesday through

Thursday). He felt he bought what was, supposedly, the "top of the line", "best there is" VPI product and within one month, there is a

new "top of the line", "best there is" VPI product in the HR-X. Great customer service and loyalty, in this case, questionable.

Now I make this statement on this one case. In the past I have heard many customers state, that once they can actually speak with

someone, they receive full satisfaction. For that VPI is to be commended. Phone service, maybe not.

Many problems do not show up until many hours of use and that is quite understandable. Admitting this, is nothing to be embarrased about

and certainly an explanation, not an excuse, can easily eleviate customer insecurities.

Have you ever heard the expression "Don't shoot the messenger"? I am not stating that VPI is a bad company or makes bad turntables and

tonearms. All I said was that "I would go for the SME 20. It is a more finished product. The VPI HRX is having all sorts of problems.

The SME 20 is reliable, ready for market and marvelous." Maybe in hind sight I was a bit vague and the word "all" is improper, but I

told the truth. You are attacking me in a childish manner for sharing information that has already been publicized. No secrets here.

Customers who purchased early, trusted that everything was fine. Maybe this is isolated to just a few units, maybe more than a few, but

they should be handled with the highest priority. A company is truly judged by the way they handle problems. Great customer service is

done after the sale.

These "real" problems are yours (admitted to him by your company,) not his and maybe you should, humbly, show a bit of professionalism

and refrain from the insulting remarks. You certainly have a lot more to lose than he or I.

Also, most of your post sounds like an advertisement in Stereophile.

BTW, Do you want to also explain the issue concerning the tonearm?

Rufus: Please, lets you and I take this off line and deal with our concerns via phone. I am going to ask our mutual friend for your phone number and I will call you. First Root Beer is on me!