Which VPI platter would you choose?

I've been back into analog for a few years now. I acquired an HW 19 MK2 for a good price that needed some love and was able to square it away by doing a few simple repairs.

I maintained the same approach for coming up with an arm, and picked up a Rega 250 that already had the Michell weight and Incognito wiring at a good price. The only thing I added to the arm was the Michell VTA adjuster and an arm board I made up myself from oak plywood that I nicely finished.

I settled on a Clearaudio Virtuoso Wood MM. I had to wait a month to get it, but it was a good price. It allowed me to simply use the phono section of my Audible Illusions 2D without the expense of a step up.

So there is my analog rig. I have enjoyed it immensely over the last few years especially with all the new vinyl that I have added to my old collection.

I've always been on the watch for different upgrades for the table. I was happy when I recently scored an Aries 1 platter at a great price. The only catch was that it didn't come with a bearing.

I gave VPI a call. During my discussion with them I asked whether an inverted bearing could be used with the table and platter. They said they could come up with something for me, but that I should ship it to them so they could evaluate it.

I got the call back today. It seems that making the inverted bearing work with the Aries 1 platter and the HW 19 couldn't happen without great expense and time. I was told I could use a standard bearing if I wanted, or for a reasonable fee they would allow me to trade up to either a Super Platter or the new 12" platter that they use on their new "Classic" turntable. Both utilize an inverted bearing design and weigh within a few pounds of each other.

The Super Platter design is pretty familiar to everyone. It was explained to me that the new "Classic" platter has a very accurately machined all aluminum shell that has a stainless disc pressed into the bottom of it for mass.

I have to say that I think it's great that VPI has offered me this opportunity, but it has made me stop to wonder what exactly might be the best thing to do. I have obviously tried to be frugal while at the same time incorporating good quality components. I was very impressed with the Aries 1 platter when I picked it up and thought that it was going to work out great.

I am lucky enough at this time to be able to consider any of these choices in terms of cost. Is it worth going for the inverted bearing and larger diameter platters? or would the Aries platter achieve the same results with the use of a standard bearing? I know by going with the 12" platters I will then be able to obsess over additional upgrades like the periphery ring...;)

Maybe I should also mention that I intend to scrap the stock suspension and install the new solid isolators that they are now using in the "Classic". In addition, I finally invested in a quality step up and picked up a low output MC cartridge that I will be setting up to experiment with.