What direction is VPI headed?

Hey all, no worries I won't take any of this as bashing, just a chance to share our goal.  Actually, a lot of it was because originally I was confused by our own product line coming on board.  

*A bit of history, feel free to skip if you have read about this already*

At the end of 2011 when my mom died, I was a school teacher and reluctantly took on the family business.  In the process, I found the love I never knew I had for the industry and my family's company.  However, I couldn't keep track of our own brand because we had over 22 models each being very close in price and build with each other.  It wasn't against anything my dad made just very confusing for me which means it had to be even more confusing for customers.  This started a long transition and learning process for me.  In addition it lead to the decision to focus the brand, not for marketing but for sanity.  The dealers used to have a saying that "no two VPI's are a like."  Which at the time some considered charming but overall can lead to a lot of headaches.  Three years ago when we had our first VPI dealer training and presented this direction the dealers breathed a sigh of relief.

Our direction is to have an easy to understand and use product line of "good, better, best" that has multiple options for the customer to upgrade and grow with their table.

From our FAQ's page:

Q: Can you explain your product line at a quick glance?

A: We have made the line very simple with the idea of “good, better, best” in mind across the whole line.   All products are consistent and locked in to be in the line without any changes!)

Entry Level  
Cliffwood
Player

Production
Prime Scout (good)
Prime (better)
Prime Signature (best)

Reference
Avenger (good)
Avenger Plus (better)
Avenger Reference (best)

On top of that we are in the process of introducing some VPI branded electronics to provide a full solution for that first time user.  As well as having something down the pike for our 40th anniversary ;)

We still have an HR-X as an option but it is visual with no real sonic advantage over an Avenger.  The difference being the Avenger is MUCH easier to tweak, modify, and add tonearms to... a high-end sandbox for someone to play with!  A lot of dealers and customers have been switching for Avengers because they want to easily mount multiple arms for quick cartridge demo or mounting other company's arms without getting too technical.   

Hope that clears up the goal and directions for VPI. :)

-MW

@leonardcooper it sounds like the dealer oversold you.  You can special order any VPI table with one of our mounted gimbal arms at no additional cost.  We prefer and mount a unipivot arm but that arm isn't for everyone.   For what you have described I would have recommend a standard Prime turntable with a gimbal arm.  We recently retrofitted a customer's TNT table with a gimbal because at his age his hands are shaking too much to use the uni.  Hope one day you give us another chance and if you do email me directly so I can make sure you get exactly the configuration you are looking for.

@slaw  I just gave you a call, and sent you a private email. I have no grudge against you, never have and I don't understand why you posted what you did.

@don_c55 very happy to have you in the VPI family! :)

@stewart0722  if not a VPI, you picked a fantastic alternative!  Oracle is a great company and Jacques is a true gentlemen.  Hope to have you back on board with us one day, but you are still doing it right!

@fsonicsmith I totally agree about the name and I'm loving calling it a "stabilizer" because it does exactly that. Wouldn't be bale to use the word outrigger since we have a part that is referred to as that.  But stabilizer certainly works.   We weren't going for marketing BS on the name we picked... we just didn't have a better name at the time.  Your suggestion makes  a lot of sense.

I also agree about Bill, he had a great design but working with him seemed next to impossible.  Actually... I'm agreeing with the majority of your post :p  The B&M guys are key for the growth of VPI and all companies.  The online guys have lost access to our reference line.  Some still have inventory before we limited their product access.  Having a strong B&M can make the difference between a positive and negative experience and we always try to support them first.  

I'm not sure about the wink-wink part but whenever we have special offers we open it up to the B&M first for at least a week before opening it up to the online dealers.  But still, I'm a huge advocate for the B&M and their support.  We did run into some early day 3D arm issues that have since been worker out.  Also feel free to call us anytime.  We actually answer phone and Mondays and Fridays now also   

@stringreen I'm  sorry it has been a bit tougher for you, we have been trying and I can only guess its because of the growth.  Myself, Marc, Jane, grandma, and sometimes dad (Tuesdays and Thursdays usually), are always on the phone trying to work with everyone and we have drastically stepped up quality control and testing on all products.  We just need a few more hours in the day :)   

Again, anyone who doesn't like the uni can always swap it with a gimbal.

@testpilot you made our day!!!

Actually, you have been... Bill you are rewriting history a bit as usual but that's fine, I'm used to it from you and not going to waste time with a fight.

Speaking of which, I see it is a waste of time for me to hang out on this thread any longer. I hope I answered everyone's questions. The direction is leading us to more focus and quality products that we will still be able to service for everyone 20 years from now.

Bill certainly is not a bad guy and had a great product. We ended up not be able to work together but it isn't a take away from either company.  In hindsight things probably could have been handled better on both sides. But if it doesn't work out at least it's a learning experience.  Bill, I have no idea where those units are but I'm not arguing you sent them and certainly holding them hostage.  I'll try to locate where they are and send the back and if I can't then I'll  buy them.  Our differences aside both of our companies have always tried to help the end user.

@mofimadness no worries, I calmed him down and he removed it. I didn't read the whole thread. I'll respond about the HW-19 and tonearms in more detail a bit later.