VPI - HR-X or a SME 20/2A

I have a VPI HRX and have heard the SME 20 a number of times for extended listening sesions in my friend's system and once at a dealer. I have also heard the SME 30/2 for a very long listening sesion at a dealer's home. Both the HRX and the 20 are very well designed and built. Neither should present problems setting up. With respect to sound, I think the HRX is much more dynamic and solid sounding. I think the proper comparison is between the HRX and the 30/2, which has better isolation and is very dynamic. The difference between the 30 and the HRX is that the HRX is livlier (some would consider this coloration). The one thing that HRX owners will tell you is how much they enjoy listening to the table - it pulls you into the music and gets you foot tapping. The 30/2 may be the nth degree more transparent. You should also consider the fact that with the HRX you can easily change arms/cartridges.

Audioblazer,

I have not heard the table with the solid platter. What is it made of? Can it take the outer ring? I seem to recall a discussion with Harry Weisfeld where he told me the pre-production models of the table had a larger platter, but that he thought this approach sounded better. I know the guy at high-end website likes the table with just an aluminum body, but although I have not heard the solid aluminum base, I do not agree with his description of the current HRX - i.e., bleached sound. Harry also thought the current model sounded much better.