I must say that as a long time VPI user (and I mean a VERY long time) I am even more confused than ever about VPI's return to an aluminum platter.
The original VPI turntable came with an aluminum platter with a lead insert to make it heavier and smooth out its rotation. When that platter was replaced by VPI with an acrylic platter (also with lead insert) it was widely hailed as an improvement--something about the record and the platter partnering in some way and dampening resonances. In almost exactly that configuration it became part of the launch of a generation or two or three of the TNT series.
VPI continued with an acrylic platter in one form or another for many years, first substituting other metals for the lead and later keeping it just acrylic. Their current top of the line turntable continues with an acrylic platter according to their web site.
When I saw that they were back to aluminum I thought that was really strange. Now it appears that the aluminum platter requires something VPI never apparently thought necessary with the acrylic platters, a separate mat.
Are we going forward or backward?
The original VPI turntable came with an aluminum platter with a lead insert to make it heavier and smooth out its rotation. When that platter was replaced by VPI with an acrylic platter (also with lead insert) it was widely hailed as an improvement--something about the record and the platter partnering in some way and dampening resonances. In almost exactly that configuration it became part of the launch of a generation or two or three of the TNT series.
VPI continued with an acrylic platter in one form or another for many years, first substituting other metals for the lead and later keeping it just acrylic. Their current top of the line turntable continues with an acrylic platter according to their web site.
When I saw that they were back to aluminum I thought that was really strange. Now it appears that the aluminum platter requires something VPI never apparently thought necessary with the acrylic platters, a separate mat.
Are we going forward or backward?