VPI Classic - Now you have one......

I do get a very slight pop too with turning table off. I do not think it warrants replacing the table, nor do I think VPI would/should. Such pops vary with each household and how your wiring is done and also varies with your choice of amp and preamp. I get a much bigger (and frankly, a somewhat worrisome) pop each time I turn on my VPI 16.5 RCM. If one is really worried about such things, you can simply mute your volume with your preamp.

So while I am typing away, I will say that I absolutely love my VPI Classic. The sound I am getting is amazing. Better than CD when the vinyl is good. I love the match of the Classic and the Benz Glider LO and the Simaudio LP5.3. If anyone wants a sure way to get great sound with vinyl, these three are a can't-miss combination IMHO. I played the re-issue of Miles' Walkin' last night and the night before. There is a depth to the sound of the trumpet that I had never heard before except in live venues. Rock really rocks-an old B52s album from my college days (the first one, starting with Planet Claire and ending on side A with Rock Lobster) sounds amazingly dynamic with real jump.
If I search hard for a nit to pick, it would be the isolation feet. I find them a bit finicky and wobbly (apparently they are wobbly by design-just like the arm) and the little bearings on the undersurface of each footer don't particularly rotate smoothly on a wood shelf. So leveling is often a painful process of pushing up on the corner of this heavy table if rotating the footer clockwise. Luckily, one need not level the table very often.

Thought I'd chime in here. In a few conversations with Mike at VPI, the 10.5 arm on the Classic is a little longer than the 10.5i with VTA model. According to Mike those looking to use the 10.5I base w/vta should request the Classic tonearm wand. I believe he mentioned that it can also be wired with the Valhalla option.
Just check on this in case I heard wrong before ordering though.
I should mention here as well that Mike is VERY helpful at VPI and find his customer service better than most in any manufacturing!

Alun...did you order one with the VTA tower and Valhalla wiring? do you know what the price difference is to the base Classic configuration (i.e., with the 10.5SE tonearm)?

Are a lot of people getting VTA on-the-fly and Valhalla wiring?

Oh I guess I've worded that reply wrong. I have't ordered any of the arms yet as I'm having to save up to purchase one. I just installed a Jelco 10.5" arm in the interim and so far it's pretty impressive for the money.
I don't have any finalised pricing on the VPI arms but from what I remember the Classic arm without VTA/Fly is about 2/3'rds cost of the 10.5I. I dont' think there is an increase in cost in using the classic armtube over the 10.5 armtube and that may include the valhalla wiring.
Remember you can adjust VTA on the classic arm as well, it's just a little more scary when trying it on the fly. The 10.5 is an easier method and offers better lockdown after adjustment. Personally I'd buy the 10.5I with the Classic armtube. Not so sure about the Nordost wiring upgrade.
You'll have to check with VPI for availability of this setup as the dealer may not be aware of the armtube differences.

Wonder if anybody compared VPI Classic to TNT V or HR-X? Read this review by Brian Bloom where he mentions ".. The amount of high frequency on the VPI was over the top—it almost sounded like white noise." Any body experience this?
Here is the link..
http://www.audaud.com/article?ArticleID=6815
Thanks.