VPI Direct Drive Turntable

Lew, I don't really know but the Clearaudio has a Delrin platter with a ceramic magnet bearing. It has a stainless steel subplatter which I think is driven by a DD DC motor. It also has an optical speed controller and will do the dishes after supper, so the WAF is high.
I got the impression that the Brinkman also uses a magnetic drive where the motor isn't directly connected to the platter. I've never even seen these tables so I don't really know what I'm talking about. Going by the sales blurb, they sound pretty cool.

When you were talking about the 980LZS I was loading at 270 ohms. Maybe Raul didn't have loading options on his MC stage at the time and maybe that's why he thinks the HO is better. Mine has very little use so I'm reluctant to be definitive. I'll try it again and see what 2K sounds like.
Regards,

What's the objection, VPI going beyond the means of their customer base? Surely there are much more expensive tables. Look at Basis and Clearaudio TOTL, $170K. What about Teres and TTW? Seems to me this VPI will go head to head against the CA Master Innovation Wood w/Universal arm - $30K.

The Brinkman mentioned by Agiaccio looks like a great table, but who can compare them? The VPI will survive or not on its merits. I don't think HW needs to sell lots of them. He's selling Travelers hand over fist and quite a few Classics are already out there. Offering super high end tables is good even if you can't afford it. The technology filters down (to some extent) to less expensive tables.
Regards,

Lew, I was thinking in terms of market share. I believe the CA is magnetic drive, but I don't know much about it.

On another note, I've been talking with Dlaloum about loading the 980/7500. Best results are probably somewhere between 1 to 10K. Judging from his graphs I'd say 2 to 5K.
I remember you mentioned it on the other thread.
https://sites.google.com/site/zevaudio/turt/cartridge-comparison-list/pickering-xlz-7500-s

Regards,

Dealer cost on this table is prob in the $18K range. Doesn't the Classic Direct include the new 3D arm and a VTA on-the-fly micrometer? If Harry is planning a new flagship it will probably be $50K or more retail and look very different.

Has the same motor as the Continuum? What does that cost?
Some people might have a beef with VPI over customer service, QC or whatever. It's the dealers responsibility, not the factory. VPI is nice enough to deal directly with the customer, but they're not set up for that.

You have a choice. Buy what you want.

Before VPI came out with the HW-19, they made bases for JVC and Denon direct drive motors. I'm not sure of the extent of his involvement, but I've read that he also repaired and did other contract or authorized work on DDs.

While most companies specialize, at least to some extent, in a particular segment of the market, it doesn't necessarily have to be that way. Back in the day all the mass market players had flagship tables and some are of the most revered today. BTW, Sony made some great tables and their BSL (brushless/slotless) motors were in many of their mid priced tables.
The point is, other business models can work.

VPI is coming out with a new table, Voyager. $1K includes a cart, built-in phono stage, and a pr of Grado headphones.
I've read that they can hardly keep up with overseas orders for Traveler. This and Classic popularity gives them a solid foundation for introducing new expensive tables. It's not like they're coming out with a $150K table as their only product. If they only sold a few Classic Direct, I'd bet they'd be okay, but I'd also bet they sell quite a few more. When they come out with a new flagship it will probably look more like an HRX. I'd bet that it sells too.

**VPIs business model is repeat business by constant upgrade path, if anyone else does this in the table manufacturing business they copied VPI.**

I think Linn is the business model, not VPI. As improvements were made they were offered to present owners, like the SDS. Before that they only had the PLC which was a line conditioner. Upgrading a table isn't mandatory, but offering an upgrade can be seen as a good thing.

Mitch Cotter's forte was electronics IMO. I once played a Cotter preamp that was pretty amazing. It left other high end units in the dust. It must have been 10 years old. He filled it up with expanding foam so his design couldn't be stolen. Probably would hold its own today.

The thinking in some circles on plinth/base design, is using different materials in combination. Different rates of vibration transmission can combine to make a superior plinth. Often a rigid material like steel or aluminum is combined with MDF. Acrylic is rigid but doesn't damp like MDF. Lead is great for slowing down vibrations. Dense, weighty material also seems very affective.
Regards,