Talk to me about the VPI TNT

[cmb3366]

Hi, as you may remember from previous threads, I've been quite happy with my Rega p5, happy enough that I haven't even entertained the idea of changing tables. That said, sometimes deals have a way of finding you.

The other day on the way home from a concert I stoped in a high end audio shop to look at cartridges. They had a denon 301mc priced right, and I decided to wander around the store to chew it over before pulling the trigger...

In one of their display rooms they had a VPI TNT mkI or II (unsure which), with its original platter, and an upgrate heavyweight VPI platter, a VPI PCU (not SDS), a complete upper and lower VPI stand, and a 2-piece, very nice acrylic cover. The table is armless with an SME armboard. The price for everything was just under 2K.

Realizing this as a potential deal of a lifetime, I put down a retainer and it's now laid away in my name, pending a call from them on what they will offer in trade for my current setup and my older pro-ject/grado rig.

Here's my question to anyone with experience out there, just how good a table is this, and is the deal $-wise as good as I think it is?

Also, given that its price tag would just about break the bank, I'm thinking if I pull the trigger, I will put a modest interim arm on it. The same shop had an SME 3009 mkIII and the denon 301 mkII that I was initially contemplating that I think would do till I had another war chest built up for something like a VPI, Graham, or higher end SME and a MC to die for.

 

[Andy_H]

I don't know a ton about it but my friend has one and it is the best sounding turntable I have ever heard. His has a VPI arm but I can't recall what model exactly. Of course the cost of the arm has to be accounted for, but that seems like a very good price to me. The TNT is a work of art.

 

[markd51]

Provided the condition of everything is good, I would say it is an absolute steal of a price, especially considering all the other peripherals included.

Not sure of what Platter you have, as I believe VPI's latest fancy platter was thier super Platter, a 25 lb masterpiece, which alone was $1000. If it is some combination of Black Acrylic-Delrin, and Lead, or Stainless, that's the Platters you'll want on such a Table, not the Clear Frosted Acrylic. Not sure whether the Platter uses a standard, or inverted bearing, it all depends on the Platter, and when it was made?

I would say with the right Platter on board, this table will meet, and even possibly exceed the performance of the new flagship VPI HR-X.

As for parts, VPI may still stock some of the Armboards for this model? Tough to say?
If not, a good Acrylics company can perhaps copy the Armboard exactly, and then you have the Board Drilled for whatever Arm of your choice by a local machinist.

Not that there'd be anything wrong mounting up an SME Arm on this model. If the SME is what you'd like having on the Table, keep your eyes peeled on Audiogon for one.

Please do keep us posted with more details. I'd definitely like hearing more about it.
The TNT is of course a Table I've long lusted after, but the price was always generally way out of my league.

Mike at VPI is a great guy, and will help you with answers about the Table. Best of luck! Mark

 

[michaelhigh]

I wish I could afford esoteric gear, as much as I'd like. Good luck, report back, and include photos...

 

[jrtrent]

Whether the TNT would be an upgrade to your P5 will depend on what sonic attributes you prefer. It is certainly a very high quality piece of equipment, but rather different in presentation. I'm addicted to the rhythmic coherence and pace offered by decks from the likes of Linn and Rega, and find music played on the larger VPI's less interesting, despite being more spectacular in terms of soundstaging, resolution, and frequency extension. The combination of the little VPI Scout with the SDS speed controller is an excellent combination, being the most rhythmically engaging sound I've heard from VPI and offering a weightier, more authoritative presentation than the P5.

 

[Tedrick]

Not much I can add to what Mark posted. $2K for what you described could qualify as grand larceny. The stand and top are worth close to $1200 by themselves, and the TNT routinely sells for anywhere from $2.5K to close to $5K depending on platter, arm, and accessories.

RE: armboards, give VPI a call on Tuesday (they're closed on Mondays) and see what they have. As Mark mentions, you could have someone make one from a block of acrylic if VPI no longer has any. You could also use a nice piece of tight-grained maple.

Congrats on a really nice score!!

 

[Slowhead]

It may be to your advantage to pay for a month subscription to the Audiogon Bluebook if they still offer that. Find out the value of all the gear you can live without and what the value of the VPI as it sits. It's version/platter may sway the price considerably. That way you know what working/trade value you have. Your dealer has to pay his bills, but there is no reason you should have pay for the braces for his kids may need.
I don't know much about that VPI model, but like Linn gear, upgrades/replacemnet parts get expensive quick. The tri-pulley drive makes me a tad hesitent. I'm not sure about the SME model either. Maybe someone could chime in on that, but if it's the S tonearm (thin tube) model, not considered one of the better models. Many have constructed homebrew armboards for temporary arms.
I recently sold my P5 for no good reason. It was head and shoulders above all my other gear. But decided to sell some other stuff also that was laying around and try something else. It's a sad side of the hobby if you live a humble lifestyle.

 

[cmb3366]

after some sleuthing, I've got a fair idea of what the vpi rig is worth, and what my rig is worth on the used market. I'm going to go back likely this coming weekend to look the vpi over again, I'm thinking at this point if it is indeed the earlier tri-pully model (I didn't have a clue to begin with, just went with my gut), I may back off the deal, if it's a later model sans tri-pully, I'm going to trade in and figure out something in the way of a more suitable arm on the cheap, maybe a used rega and get an armboard made. If I don't do the deal, I think I trade my pro-ject rig on a dynavector 20xh and live fat dumb and happy with the p5. Either way I come out fine.

I'll report back when I get a second more informed look at the gear.