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

I think the arm mass on 10.5i is rather confusing since there are 2 versions of the arm. There used to be a lighter version then there is a steel arm wand version which is slightly heavier. I think the heavier arm is now the standard arm but the earlier units, steel arm is an option. So I am not sure if 12.3 g is the heavier arm or 11.6g is the heavier arm? I am waiting for the VTA on the fly kit as my local dealer can retrofit it easily enough. I assume that VTA tower should not really affect the effective weight.

Good point Suteetat. The difference in effective tonearm mass probably has to do with the steel vs. aluminum arm wands and not whether the VTA Tower is included or not as I said. I guess one has to check with VPI to be sure what they have.

Just discovered and read this thread. I received my unit in December and originally placed it on a home built 3 1/2 inch thick laminated plywood block. I had no issues with "pops" when I turned the table on and off. My wife however forced me to remove the lovely block and place the Classic on a thin composite mat on top of a the glass (I know, I know) shelf above the preamp and tuner and that is when the loud pop occurred on shut down of the unit. The block has mysteriously disappeared so I haven't been able to duplicate the original set up. Hope this helps Maurager.

For those with the "popping" problem: why not simply turn the volume all the way down when you turn the Classic off? I do it anyway, just in case, even though I have not experienced any popping with my current set-up. It seems like a prudent thing to do.

So my Classic finally arrived and oh, my! My dealer set it up and mounted the Lyra Delos. I brought it home yesterday and right out of the box the combo sounds heavenly. Transparency and detail is amazing; I think the soundstage should get better as the cart breaks in. No pooping issues as mentioned in some posts above. Also, the woofer pumping is all but gone, which I experienced with my previous setup. The worst album in my collection is Black Sabbath "Paranoid," which caused a tremendous woofer pumping before, even before the music started. It's still present with the Classic, but much less so. I think it must be the record with a lot of subsonic frequencies embedded in the vinyl during the manufacturing process. Every other record shows no sign of rumble.

My only question so far is about the feet: I noticed that one was visibly raising the table as I was turning it as I could see the thread of the leg screw extending. However, another leg just seems to turn and no screw is visible but still appears to be raising the table. Anyone with a similar experience?