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
I am curious how many Clearaudio Statements are sold? Even the less expensive but still in the $30,000 + and up turntable, Wave Kinetic NVS, TW Black Knight, Basis Work of Art, Techdas etc etc What is successful sale at this price point, 10, 50, 100, 300, 1000?

You would be surprised, but there are at least 5 ClearAudio Statements that I know of in Hong Kong alone!
Sarcher30, as far as I'm concerned anyone purchasing a 'table costing upper four figures or more shouldn't have to ask for that, even across the country, because I'm old school and consider anything less a deal breaker. Nice to know Steve does that.
From what I have heard the Classic Direct will not be the only VPI to use the direct drive motor.
Hiho, Thanks for the reminder, I guess. I had forgotten that Art Dudley, of all people (because I generally respect him and believe him to be a good writer), is one of those who has perpetuated the "big lie" about DD turntables. You would think he'd know better. Meantime, he is in love with his TD124, which requires BOTH a belt AND an idler to drive its platter, the worst of all possible worlds.

I agree with the many who have said that for $30K, there are other tt's I would choose over the VPI Classic, most especially any one of the Steve Dobbins "The Beat" iterations. In fact, I'd rather have my SP10 Mk3. But the marketplace will ultimately determine whether VPI made a wise move in naming, pricing, and choosing build materials for the Classic DD.

Lewm, yeah $30k is a lot of money and there seems to be a few more options in that range and I really think VPI made a marketing misstep. Since I can't afford products like that, I am mainly curious about the technology. I'm not sure you've checked out my _P_O_S_T_ from few days ago about VPI using THINGAP motor. Check it out. The Classic Direct uses the same brand of motor in the Continuum Caliburn and said to be truly "cogging free." The stator design is fascinating.

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