Subs or Turntable?

Don't think of it as one or the other....just which one if first

To ghdprentice's comment, assess your listening preference of digital vs vinyl.  If you are a vinyl guy and this table really excites you then go for it.  

When the budget allows, get one sub and then later another

@displayname 

I vote turntable but a Technics SL1200 G instead of the VPI.  

My personal experience with subwoofers is that they add some benefit in a low percentage of music but can detract and cause issues with even more music.  Even with technically proficient integration of very good subwoofers I clearly noticed issues with bass cancellation and a penalty on rhythm and drive. Especially noticeable on jazz recordings with intricate, fast paced rhythm and percussion.  The subs stole some of the life, energy and burst.   

I'd go with better room treatment and your turntable.  Consider corner bass traps from Gik or ATS.  Check the AM Acoustics room mode simulator to help you place your speakers and listening room away from the lowest modes. 

Honestly, the order should always be treat the room first, then decide about a sub.  In addition to bass traps, reducing the overall reflectivity of the room can make your speaker's bass really come out. 

I vote turntable but a Technics SL1200 G instead of the VPI.  

My personal experience with subwoofers is that they add some benefit in a low percentage of music but can detract and cause issues with even more music.  Even with technically proficient integration of very good subwoofers I clearly noticed issues with bass cancellation and a penalty on rhythm and drive. Especially noticeable on jazz recordings with intricate, fast paced rhythm and percussion.  The subs stole some of the life, energy and burst.   

Hey @avanti1960! I know we've had some interactions on the Hoffman threads too. You're experience with the subs is one of the many reasons I've kind of avoided them. I've experienced some systems with excellent sub integration, but I've experienced so many more where the subs only feel "right" in a very specific volume range. And getting a good step is always doable, but also always time consuming. And adding more components too that process will always add some complexity. 

On the note of the 1200G - I was honestly very sold on that idea previously. But every time I would look at and hear a VPI in person, I am always drawn to them. All the logic certainly points to the 1200G. It's easier to own, it's more streamlined, it's more technologically advanced. I'm well aware of those factors. But VPI, despite their flaws, I just love the sound of them. Love the interaction. To put it in the sense of art, their tables just speak to me. Any time I've demoed or seen a Technics, including the 1200G, it just doesn't have the same intangible "wow" factor for me. 

That's a lot of feelings, personal opinions, and ideas that others will not agree with. Obviously will even call it "audiofoolery" which is fine. Because at the end of the day if I'm spending money on audio gear, I want that feeling when I use it. Maybe after a year the quirks override the magic, but I know that IF I get a new TT (because there truly is nothing wrong with my Ultradeck), I'd really like it to be VPI. And The Prime X specifically speaks to me within a potential budget I might be willing to part with. 

However, I still have some logic in this hobby. I know the objectively the subs will have a bigger (positive or negative) impact on my sound. I know it's something I haven't tried before in my own system, which has me curious. And the fact that it comes in at a lower financial entry point than the VPI table I'd be considering... well it makes it quite tempting. But I do constantly grabble with the idea of "worth it" with subs because I know they don't seem to emotionally excite me the same way as some source gear does, and I know they'll require some work to set up. 

I'd go with better room treatment and your turntable.  Consider corner bass traps from Gik or ATS.  Check the AM Acoustics room mode simulator to help you place your speakers and listening room away from the lowest modes. 

Honestly, the order should always be treat the room first, then decide about a sub.  In addition to bass traps, reducing the overall reflectivity of the room can make your speaker's bass really come out. 

@erik_squires I appreciate the input! I actually have done GIK bass traps in the room previously. Even went as far as paying premiums for specific fabric choices to help appease my wife's aesthetic requests and get something that would work in the room long term. And after about a year, I finally put them up for sale. They didn't have an impact on the sound, they were visually unattractive, honestly I was disappointed in the build quality and attention to detail from GIK, and overall walked away loosing a few hundred out of pocket and a feeling of "at least I gave them a try." 

Now I'm not anti-room treatments by any means. They are simply just challenging. It's hard to know what exactly you need without some experienced support in the room, and some financial commitment. They are also very intrusive in a small space. Visually and physically.

Over the last year, we underwent what I like to call "project make it cozy" based on some feedback from my wife. She very directly said "I think I'd like to spend more time in there if it was cozier." So we got new decently heavy curtains, a new solid wood rack, new artwork, some light diffusion artwork on the front wall between the speakers. The space is much more visually inviting these days. And you know what, we spend more time in there together than we ever have, so it's been a great success! 

All that said, any room treatments added need to keep it cozy. Because if it starts to feel like a sound studio, that pushers her out, and pulls me out to an extent. I'll likely revisit treatments in the future, especially if we move or add on a larger space to the house. But that's not anywhere in the foreseeable future, and treatments remain fairly low on the list for the time being.