I have no direct experience comparing to a Classic. I would ask if the Aries has been upgraded in any way. My Aries has the HRX bearing, platter, the motor upgrade, SDS, Stillpoints treatment and 12.6 arm. I'd have to hear a Classic directly outperform it before I would give up 'my' Aries.
VPI Aries versus VPI Classic
I've been told by a couple of dealers that the VPI classis outperforms the Aries. My Aries is about 10 years old and had a retail price of 3800.00. A classic has a retail of of 2700.00. Adjusted for Inflation my table if it was still being made would be close to 5000.00 in todays money. So does the Classic really out perform the Aries?