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VPI Direct Drive Turntable

I received a copy of the new Music Direct catalog today and saw the new VPI Classic Direct Drive turntable listed at $30,000. It looks virtually indistinguishable from the Classic 3 with the new 3-D tonearm save for three speed buttons in place of the pulley and the rubber belt. The description on the MD website is rather scant, and certainly does not give enough information to explain what makes this turntable $25K more expensive than the belt drive Classic line. The VPI website makes no mention of the new flagship product at all.

Does anyone have any information on this new megabuck VPI table?
actusreus
peterayer
1,382 posts
 
Tubes, Your first paragraph describes my experience with SME products. I can't speak about VPI as I have no experience with the brand except for the VPI 16.5 RCM I used to own. I do think judgement regarding the performance and build quality of this new DD table should be withheld until there is some actual experience with it.
kiddman
341 posts
 
Many will be afraid to be speak out as you did, Tubes108, for fear of the loyalists deriding you. But I know of several experiences like yours. Typically these folks are not forum folks (forums represent a small minority just like talk radio does) and they just quietly move on to a different company.
dreadhead
353 posts
 
Kiddman,
My comment was directed towards equipment but I do miss the 2 for $5.00 deals so readily available in my youth. My first albums, Sgt. Pepper and Goodbye Cream, 5 bucks. Now I pay up to $30 for a new album but that's for another thread.
bpoletti
1,525 posts
 
Who cares!?! Harry is the manufacturer taking the risk. If it's good, it will sell at $30K. If not, then it won't. Buyers will judge.
jwm
918 posts
 
Same problem their quality control is piss poor. I had a table where the acrylic piece that covered the motor was actually scraping on the platter. I had to cut the plastic much smaller to prevent this.
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