My new VPI Classic. Pictures and first impressions.

[MaxSeven]

That is my FAVORITE table on the market right now -- fantastic looking! I love the platter thickness and the metal bezel around the motor shaft/pulley assembly.

What is the black deck material made from on the plinth surface? Is the walnut frame surrounding the plinth solid or veneered? Have you discovered any substandard material choices in the construction of the TT as a whole?

Awesome choice, and I may be joining the VPI Classic club soon enough. Congrats on what must be a very satisfying purchase!

 

[markd51]

The answer: a long time. But the funny thing...Empire spun longer. I gave them both equal pushes (by guess) at the same time and the Empire spun a bit longer. Most of the weight in the Empire platter is on the outside, this might have something to do with it. But that platter also rings, and the VPI doesn't. I'll take the lack of ringing.

I'd assume from what is known, that how long a Platter will spin on its own, isn't necessarily a good gauge of Platter performance. That some designed-in resistance may be actually preferable to achieving better speed stability with Belt Driven Tables.

Harry no doubt stuck with an inverted bearing design with this Platter. Thus, this probably means this Platter Bearing uses grease as a Lubricant, rather than oil. I could of course be wrong about this, but I don't think so. Mark

 

[JohnVF]

I'd assume from what is known, that how long a Platter will spin on its own, isn't necessarily a good gauge of Platter performance. That some designed-in resistance may be actually preferable to achieving better speed stability with Belt Driven Tables.

Harry no doubt stuck with an inverted bearing design with this Platter. Thus, this probably means this Platter Bearing uses grease as a Lubricant, rather than oil. I could of course be wrong about this, but I don't think so. Mark

Yes, it uses grease. It's coated in it. I didn't read too much into which platter spun longer. I was amazed when I got the Empire how healthy the bearing was. Their platters were balanced to aviation standards (or something like that. You never know how accurate something you read on the internet is). The platter does spin a long time, though, but when you stop the motor it comes to a pretty quick halt when tied to the motor. It also has a really quick start-up time.

 

[JohnVF]

That is my FAVORITE table on the market right now -- fantastic looking! I love the platter thickness and the metal bezel around the motor shaft/pulley assembly.

What is the black deck material made from on the plinth surface? Is the walnut frame surrounding the plinth solid or veneered? Have you discovered any substandard material choices in the construction of the TT as a whole?

Awesome choice, and I may be joining the VPI Classic club soon enough. Congrats on what must be a very satisfying purchase!

The plinth is covered by a thick walnut veneer as far as I can tell. Mine was b-stock, because it had a slight ding in the veneer, but this very slight ding did not reveal the veneer to thin...and I saved several hundred dollars for this nearly invisible blemish. I believe the top is textured steel, but I could be wrong. It feels metallic but is so well bonded to the MDF underneath that it doesn't ring or anything. The plinth is made up of laminated MDF.

The feet are very substantial and adjustable.

The only questionable choice for material in my judgment is the on/off switch. It's just a plastic button, but functions perfectly, and is located in exactly the right place..on the left side near the bottom/front. Turn it off with the left hand and let the remaining torque begin to loosen the clamp.

 

[JohnVF]

That is my FAVORITE table on the market right now -- fantastic looking! I love the platter thickness and the metal bezel around the motor shaft/pulley assembly.

What is the black deck material made from on the plinth surface? Is the walnut frame surrounding the plinth solid or veneered? Have you discovered any substandard material choices in the construction of the TT as a whole?

Awesome choice, and I may be joining the VPI Classic club soon enough. Congrats on what must be a very satisfying purchase!

Do you really think it will be an improvement over the AR in your signature? That's a serious looking turntable you've made there. I'd actually have preferred to go the mod-DIY route if I could get sound this good, but I simply don't have the time or workshop facilities right now. Not that I regret my purchase, but I've always admired the table in your signature.

 

[markd51]

John, I apologize, for all the curiosity! We're all probably overloading your brain a bit, and the reasons are, is because very little is actually known about this new Table, and we all of course have interest!

As you've mentioned, the Table comes with the Shure VTF Scale, and I'm assuming as well, came with the VPI Jig for Cartridge set-up. This is a good tool I understand, but there is better, as many prefer the MintLP Protractor with the JMW Arm. Since you'll probably plan on keeping this Table for a mighty long time, a good Protractor, such as the MintLP will not be a waste of money. It will be the tool of choice for whatever Cartridge may come along in the future. I'd seriously investigate such a tool for the future. I bought one, and am very glad I did.

While a well trained ear plays a very important part of proper Cartridge set-up, proper zenith angle, and overhang are things that the ear, and the un-aided eye cannot do, or perhaps a better phrase would be to say, shouldn't be "relied upon".

The whole process begins with having the Table, the Arm, the Cartridge of choice, but to get-extract the very best from them, some decent tools should be at hand in one's arsenal, and one should learn themselves how to use them, to not rely on another to do critical set-up.

Set up, of Tables of this caliber cannot of course be accomplished as a "one-time" deal, meaning what might work today is OK, but in three week's, or three month's time, some minor changes-tweaking may need to be made, such as VTF, and VTA.

Overhang, and Zenith Angle shouldn't largely change over time. Mark

 

[JohnVF]

A truly beautiful piece. Congrats!!! Welcome to the VPI owners club. I'm sure it will provide you with many years of pleasure both audibly and visually. I know I still love the look of my Systemdek IIX. How does the sound compare to your Systemdek IIX? I know it's hard to compare when you had a faulty motor on the Systemdek and a different cartridge mounted. Impressions?

It's been a while since I've had the Systemdek running, but I had no complaints about it when it was working. It was a different sounding table, though. I would say that everything on the Systemdek had a more rounded sound. As if the edges had been polished...the attacks and decay of percussion, for example, wasn't as crisp as it is on the VPI. Now, this is a subjective thing...many people would probably like the sound of the Systemdek because of that. And I did, too, for certain recordings. Drinking bourbon and listening to Sinatra on it was very very smooth and relaxing. But I'm listening to Van Morrison and Them on the VPI now...and the Systemdek couldn't drive like this. It's like the sound is propelled by a locomotive.

I will say that I plan on keeping the Systemdek. I plan on getting an Origin Live motor update for it, but am holding off because the table needed a wall shelf to work properly in my bouncy apartment and I removed the wall shelf for aesthetic reasons...no listening room here, it's all in a one big-room loft. My Linn Axis actually sounded a bit better to my ears than the Systemdek...but it just may be that the Systemdek wasn't set up to its full potential, and the motor could have been going long before I noticed it.

 

[Art K.]

Nice pics and a beauty of a table...congrats!

 

[JohnVF]

John, I apologize, for all the curiosity! We're all probably overloading your brain a bit, and the reasons are, is because very little is actually known about this new Table, and we all of course have interest!

As you've mentioned, the Table comes with the Shure VTF Scale, and I'm assuming as well, came with the VPI Jig for Cartridge set-up. This is a good tool I understand, but there is better, as many prefer the MintLP Protractor with the JMW Arm. Since you'll probably plan on keeping this Table for a mighty long time, a good Protractor, such as the MintLP will not be a waste of money. It will be the tool of choice for whatever Cartridge may come along in the future. I'd seriously investigate such a tool for the future. I bought one, and am very glad I did.

While a well trained ear plays a very important part of proper Cartridge set-up, proper zenith angle, and overhang are things that the ear, and the un-aided eye cannot do, or perhaps a better phrase would be to say, shouldn't be "relied upon".

The whole process begins with having the Table, the Arm, the Cartridge of choice, but to get-extract the very best from them, some decent tools should be at hand in one's arsenal, and one should learn themselves how to use them, to not rely on another to do critical set-up.

Set up, or Tables of this caliber cannot of course be accomplished as a "one-time" deal, meaning what might work today is OK, but in three week's, or three month's time time, some minor changes-tweaking may need to be made, such as VTF, and VTA.

Overhang, and Zenith Angle shouldn't largely change over time. Mark

Thanks for the protractor recommendation. I have actually been wanting one. This isn't my only table, and I have spent admittedly far too-little time learning how to properly set up a cartridge. I a bit embarrassed to admit that I use the paper ones, as I didn't know where to get a better one. I'm telling you...I'm really a novice at this. I apologize that I don't know the answers to some of these questions because I'm more of a vintage gear collector than somebody with much higher-end TT experience. In fact...I really wish I had more experience with other VPI tables, or better tables in general, as it sounds like there isn't much information out there on this fairly new table. When I say it sounds great to me, remember that my best table was probably a Linn Axis. Not to slight the Linn, but it's nowhere near the level of this, or probably other, VPIs.

Marc, you mentioned the upgrade path earlier. That's actually one of huge deciding factors in why I bought the Classic. I like playing with different gear, different amps and preamps, more than I like messing with my turntables. I wanted the set-it and forget-it nature of this turntable. That was a big selling point for me, so maybe something like a Scout would be more desirable to somebody who gets joy out of tweaking their table and adding to it slowly to hear all the improvements.

I considered the Scout, and wanted one forever...I always looked at it in ads in the magazines. I don't know why, but it just seemed like it was designed by somebody who know what they were doing rather than playing the whims of a market. Of course...I realize that that is one of the critiques of VPI of late, that they're catering to the fads. I simply saw it as them (or, well, harry) just building the tables he wanted to, because he was curious about the same things the DIY crowds were leaning towards. Except that he had more resources, like a whole company, to explore his whims.

 

[markd51]

Hello

Thanks for the protractor recommendation. I have actually been wanting one. This isn't my only table, and I have spent admittedly far too-little time learning how to properly set up a cartridge. I a bit embarrassed to admit that I use the paper ones, as I didn't know where to get a better one. I'm telling you...I'm really a novice at this. I apologize that I don't know the answers to some of these questions because I'm more of a vintage gear collector than somebody with much higher-end TT experience. In fact...I really wish I had more experience with other VPI tables, or better tables in general, as it sounds like there isn't much information out there on this fairly new table. When I say it sounds great to me, remember that my best table was probably a Linn Axis. Not to slight the Linn, but it's nowhere near the level of this, or probably other, VPIs.

Marc, you mentioned the upgrade path earlier. That's actually one of huge deciding factors in why I bought the Classic. I like playing with different gear, different amps and preamps, more than I like messing with my turntables. I wanted the set-it and forget-it nature of this turntable. That was a big selling point for me, so maybe something like a Scout would be more desirable to somebody who gets joy out of tweaking their table and adding to it slowly to hear all the improvements.

I considered the Scout, and wanted one forever...I always looked at it in ads in the magazines. I don't know why, but it just seemed like it was designed by somebody who know what they were doing rather than playing the whims of a market. Of course...I realize that that is one of the critiques of VPI of late, that they're catering to the fads. I simply saw it as them (or, well, harry) just building the tables he wanted to, because he was curious about the same things the DIY crowds were leaning towards. Except that he had more resources, like a whole company, to explore his whims.

Hello John, About the Mintlp Protractor, and its one downside, it is an Arc Type Protractor, and this means it will only work properly for one Arm Pivot to Spindle Specification measurement. So, it's a tool that will only work for one Table, unless you perhaps had another, same model JMW Arm mounted on another Table of yours.

About the only major gripes i can say about VPI, as a company, is that although they did make thier HW-19 Table for a good 25 years, how i wish they hadn't "abandoned" it, meaning I wish they would've still provided a good selection of parts, and at least better upgrade paths for it. I wish that Harry wouldn't slowly "wean" us HW-19 users into oblivion, as there must certainly be many of these Tables still in good use today.

I don't so much feel that the array of parts-upgrade paths that Harry W provided over the years were at all a mistake, that each, and every part, and table he made was wisely thought out for a reason.

One particular item I'm recently saddened to see gone as well, is the Super Platter, that is now no longer available. This Platter may have been the best Harry has ever made, and could've been a future option for myself, as well as others with every other VPI Table ever made, past, and present. It also had great potential for a Platter of choice for the DIY'er. Mark

 

[Tedrick]

Congrats on a truly gorgeous 'table, and I'm glad to read that it is surpassing your expectations in so many ways. I've been admiring the Classic since it was first announced, and unfortunately for my bank account, you've whetted my appetite to some day own one.

 

[JohnVF]

I'm happy that everybody seems to be as excited as I am. This appears to be a very popular table, I think I got the last one in walnut that MusicDirect had in current stock (because of it's demo status.) I'm local to them so can actually go there and not have to worry about shipping...they're very nice people and I wanted to buy locally so I could avoid the sketchy mail/shipment-delivery at my apartment.

A couple more observations. It's late so I've switched to acoustic music, and am listening to Nick Drake. I'm an acoustic guitarist, at least as another hobby, and have played for nearly 20 years. This table captures the sound of acoustic guitar very well. And I'm talking about the real sound of an acoustic guitar, which is much less 'refined' than i often hear it portrayed in hi-fi setups. All the raspiness of slightly-buzzing frets, and the sudden attack of plucked strings is here. I often hear it sort of smoothed out, with rounded edges, which sounds pleasant enough, but isn't what I hear when I play myself. This actually sounds like an acoustic guitar, which I find really impressive. This is also where I'd most often hear a bit of wow/flutter on my systemdek, a system of it's failing motor most likely, and Linn Axis, with it's very small motor straining to turn it's platter. When a string is allowed to decay, it stays constant on the VPI. So...another test passed.

 

[dokblues]

John:I am very glad to hear you are enjoying your new TT. All I have to add is the Dynavector 10X5 is a Great cart and gets Much better after about 20-30 hours of break-in time. I love mine and I replaced a DL-160 the difference was day and night. Enjoy! :thmbsp:

 

[edd9000]

Very nice TT, i realy like the vpi products despite not hearing them.

Looks like a longer arm on there too.

 

[JohnVF]

John:I am very glad to hear you are enjoying your new TT. All I have to add is the Dynavector 10X5 is a Great cart and gets Much better after about 20-30 hours of break-in time. I love mine and I replaced a DL-160 the difference was day and night. Enjoy! :thmbsp:

I like what I hear so far. Its difficult to decipher what improvements are cartridge and which are from the table. Though I've run LOMCs before, I've never had a HOMC. I've been wanting one for a while, and when they offered it with a steep discount and free setup I couldn't refuse. Mostly it was the set-up..I admit to being intimidated a bit by the unipivot arm. I've never seen anything like it.

 

[MaxSeven]

Do you really think it will be an improvement over the AR in your signature? That's a serious looking turntable you've made there. I'd actually have preferred to go the mod-DIY route if I could get sound this good, but I simply don't have the time or workshop facilities right now. Not that I regret my purchase, but I've always admired the table in your signature.

I suppose I'll find that out if and when I get the VPI? :yes:

But, for me, it certainly is more about the VPI as a machine, and it really doesn't matter where it ranks against my existing collection of tables sound wise. My real admiration is VPI's gutsy move to a totally different design style, the use of a massively thick aluminum platter, and the vintage aesthetics. So it would be another piece of fine art, in my gallery of turntables!

Someone please stop my quest for all the best looking tables ever created!

The AR was definitely a very satisfying project for me, and I love the way it turned out. In many ways, the AR reminds me of the VPI Classic, or vice-versa.

 

[Tedrick]

BTW, if you like the DV 10x5, then you will probably really like the 17D3 Karat. I have one mounted on my modded HW-19 Mk IV and it sounds fantastic. But, it is LOMC, so you'll need a step-up device if you don't already have one. Know also that VPI sells a special 1 mV version of 20X (also available in a 2.5 and 0.25 mV outputs), which is the cartridge in the DV line that falls between the 10x5 and the Karat.

 

[Tedrick]

The AR was definitely a very satisfying project for me, and I love the way it turned out. In many ways, the AR reminds me of the VPI Classic, or vice-versa.

Your 'table is completely gorgeous, a work of art even. I really admire the work you did :yes:.

 

[Redboy]

Wow, John, that is one fantastic looking turntable! :yes:

 

[Fisherdude]

Good morning, John!

I missed this last night, but what a gorgeous table. Congrats! With your willingness to experiment with different components, new and old, your system continues to evolve toward being exactly what you want it to be.

Are you using the Sony speakers?

Lookin' sweet!:thmbsp: