VPI Classic - Now you have one......

I have a new Grado The Reference 1 Statement (low output), it's been steallar.

My expectations were low, I didn't like the other VPI tables I had owned and was kicking myself for buying it, especially since I had to wait so long. But since I got it, 5 months ago, it has been nothing but pleasure. It's my fav deck of all time. It made me actually get a better cartridge because for the first time I felt like my turntable deserved something better than my beloved Sumiko Blackbird.

Actusreus, do you have a picture of the cover you have? I want one for my Classic like that, low profile.

thx.

I sold my SDS after a few weeks with my Classic, it didnt' make the same, or any, difference, as it did with the Scoutmaster Sig. I also don't use a Gingko Platform as I had with other tables. I only use the Ring Clamp, that this is great.

The table that I had before the Classic was an Aries 1 with a 10.5 arm and the original, and much desired, original platter.

I never liked that table. I had it with an SDS, permiter ring, and a wonderful Gingko isolation table. It always sounded bright to me, although the SDS definitely helped.

When I got the Classic, I hooked it up the same way as the Aries, and it sounded better right out the box. Much less bright, with great extension and speed. Also, I found no difference with the SDS hooked up, or with it off, so I sold that, and the Gingko platform made no difference either, so I sold that too.

I love the Classic. The only issue that I have had at all, is hum when my Grado The Reference 1 (Statement) is over the platter. VPI has told me that is due to the lack of any shielding with the Grado. They did say, and I agree, that the slight hum is worth it due to the excellent sound they make together, and they suggested keeping the cartridge, and they are working on how to eliminate the hum.

No cure, they said that it happened with the LO Grado Statement cartridges, and said they didn't have a cure right now, but they were working on it. They did say it was the platter.

Really, somehow, it doesn't bother me that much. It's only noticable on very high volumes. But really the cartridge does sound stellar.